Detection of Mycobacterium gilvum first time from the bathing water of leprosy patient from Purulia, West Bengal

In this present study for the first time the authors are reporting the isolation of Mycobacterium gilvum from the accumulated water in the drain connected to the bathing place of leprosy patients residing in an endemic region. The identification and characterization of this isolate was carried out by various conventional and molecular tests, including 16S rDNA sequencing. These findings might shed further light and association with amoeba in the leprosy endemic area of this rare Mycobacterium species.