Effect of diet on growth of M. leprae in mouse footpads.

Semipurified diets, with equal amounts of vitamins, minerals and fibre, but varied in protein and fat content from pork, barbel fish or soya beans were tested for their possible effect on the growth of M. leprae in mouse footpads. 105 BALB/c male weanling mice were randomly divided into five diet groups of 21 mice each and fed for six months. Differences between bacterial counts of diet groups were found. The mouse foot pad model is suitable for dietary study in leprosy.