Mycobacterium leprae—The outer lipoidal surface.

ABSTRACT

There is now a considerable body of evidence to suggest that the phthiocerolcontaining lipids, including the phenolic glycolipids, comprise the so-called "peribacillary substance", "spherical droplets", "foamy structures" and "capsular materials" of Mycobacterium leprae. Thus, the phthiocerol-containing lipid capsule may be directly responsible for the intracellular survival of Mycobacterium leprae.