Prophylactic/therapeutic effects and induction of reversal reactions with thymus transplantation in Mycobacterium leprae-infected nude mice.

The study results indicated that thymus transplantation was effective in suppressing the growth of Mycobacterium leprae in the nude mouse, and also suggested that thymus transplantation was effective as immunotherapy of experimental leprosy in nude mice. The histopathological findings revealed the induction of reversal reactions in those animals receiving thymus transplants.