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Phenoloxidase of Mycobacterium leprae

Nature volume 215, pages 436–437 (1967)Cite this article

Abstract

INVESTIGATIONS of the metabolism of Mycobacteriumleprae1 have revealed a few of the metabolic characteristics of this micro-organism. Concentrates of M. leprae prepared from lepromatous material actively oxidized 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) to pigmented products, in vitro2. Among several strains of mycobactena tested (including M. tuberculosis, M. lepraemurium, and alleged M. leprae cultures), only the leprosy bacilli obtained from infected tissues oxidized DOPA; and this specific metabolic activity has been proposed as an identification test for M. leprae3.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Public Health Service Hospital, Carville, Louisiana

    K. PRABHAKARAN

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  1. K. PRABHAKARAN
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PRABHAKARAN, K. Phenoloxidase of Mycobacterium leprae. Nature 215, 436–437 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/215436a0

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