Abstract
In this paper, it was noted that the number of bacilli of M. lepraemurium increased approximately four times compared with that of the initial inoculum when the bacilli were cultivated in the NK medium at 30°C for one month. There was no increase of the bacilli when the bacilli were cultivated in the EK medium which was used as a control. However, no significant relationship between the increase of the bacilli and that of protein contents of bacterial cells was recognized. It was illustrated by electron micrographs that the elongated M. lepraemurium in the NK medium had band structures which were found to be observed in acid-fast bacilli and in addition no destructive findings of the cells should be noticed. However, it was observed that there was a slight decrease in the number of phosphate granules in the cell of elongated bacilli in comparison with that cultivated in the EK medium.
