Job, C KMcCormick, G MMoses, R LHastings, R C1990-01-012009-05-281990-01-012009-05-281990-01-01Job CK, McCormick GM, Moses RL, Hastings RC. Phagocytosis of Mycobacterium leprae by cardiac muscle cells--a preliminary report. Indian Journal of Leprosy. 1990 Jan-Mar; 62(1): 55-9http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/54618Fetal cardiac muscle cells were shown to ingest M. leprae easily within 20 minutes of exposure in vitro. This phagocytosis is considered nonspecific and facilitated by the lipid coat of the mycobacteria. The presence of M. leprae free in the cytoplasm of the muscle cells did not seriously affect the morphology or rhythmic contractions of the cells. The significance of the presence of M. leprae in somatic cells needs further study.engAnimalsCells, CulturedMicroscopy, ElectronMycobacterium leprae --immunologyMyocardium --cytologyPhagocytosisRatsJournal Article