What is the behavior of organism that causes lepromatous leprosy?

Mycobacterium leprae

* Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacillus

* Obligate intracellular parasite

* Slow-growing organism (generation time of 12-14 days)

* Aerobic

* Non-motile

* Non-spore-forming

* Acid-fast (stains red with Ziehl-Neelsen stain)

Behavior in the host

* Enters the body through the skin or mucous membranes

* Phagocytized by macrophages

* Replicates within macrophages

* Destroys macrophages

* Spreads to other macrophages

* Can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

* Skin lesions

* Nerve damage

* Blindness

* Deformities

* Can be fatal if not treated