Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, does not grow in vitro. We describe an easy to follow protocol to prepare a bacillary suspension to ensure the maintenance of large quantities of M. leprae for a variety of applications. Protocols for propagation by mouse footpad inoculation, evaluation of viability, freezing and thawing bacillary stock are described in detail.
Trombone, A. P. F., Pedrini, S. C. B., Diório, S. M., Belone, A. d. F. F., Fachin, L. R. V., do Nascimento, D. C., Rosa, P. S. Optimized Protocols for Mycobacterium leprae Strain Management: Frozen Stock Preservation and Maintenance in Athymic Nude Mice. J. Vis. Exp. (85), e50620, doi:10.3791/50620 (2014).