Electron microscopic observations of cell division in Mycobacterium leprae by means of serial ultrathin sectioning.

The division of Mycobacterium leprae in human skin was studied in the ultrathin sections at the electron microscopic level. A few dividing bacilli were observed. The division seemed to be accomplished by inward extension ob both the cell wall and the cytoplasmic membrane into the cytoplasm of the bacillary cell to form a septum. The intracellular membranous organelle (mesosome) is assumed to play a role in division.