Lipids as taxonomic markers for bacteria derived from leprosy infections.

Lipid analysis allows the specific detection of M. leprae among various other bacteria isolated from leprosy lesions. In this report mycolates and glycolipid compositions were used for such a discrimination. Comparative studies of the lipid composition of tissue fragments from different organs of experimentally infected armadillos, and of cultivable strains isolated from these tissues showed that the last ones did not multiply extensively in the tissues of the animals.