Skip to main content
Log in

A morphological study of nerve biopsies from cases of multibacillary leprosy given multidrug therapy

  • Regular Papers
  • Published:
Acta Neuropathologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Nerve biopsies were examined from 17 cases of lepromatous leprosy given WHO-recommended multidrug therapy (MDT) for 2 years. The pathological changes were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively to judge the effectiveness of MTD> The nerves varied very considerably in the severity of their lesions. Some regenerating fibres were seen in most of the nerves. In a few cases, the nerves were almost entirely populated by regenerated fibres, confirming that MTD was effective in halting the disease process within the nerve. Mycobacterium leprae showed morphological features of degenerate bacilli. Some pathological features of the lepromatous lesion are described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Boddingius J (1976) Ultrastructural changes in blood vessels of peripheral nerves in leprosy neuropathy. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 35:159–181

    Google Scholar 

  2. Dastur DK (1978) Leprosy (an infectious and immunological disorder of the nervous system) Handb Clin Neurol 33:421–468

    Google Scholar 

  3. Jacobs JM, Love S (1985) Qualitative and quantitative morphology of human sural nerve at different ages. Brain 108:897–924

    Google Scholar 

  4. Jacobs JM, Le Quesne PM (1992) Toxic disorders, In: Hume Adams J, Duchen LW (eds) Greenfield's Neuropathology, 5th edn. Edward Arnod, London, pp 881–987

    Google Scholar 

  5. Jacobs JM, Shetty VP, Antia NH (1987) Teased fibre studies in leprous neuropathy. J Neurol Sci 79:301–313

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lucas SB (1988) Histopathology of leprosy and tuberculosis: an overview. Br Med Bull 44:584–599

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mantovani A, Bussolino F, Dejana E (1992) Cytokine regulation of endothelial cell function. FASEB J 6:2591–2599

    Google Scholar 

  8. Mshana RN, Belehu A, Stoner GL, Haregewoin A, Harboe M (1982) Demonstration of mycobacterial antigens in leprosy tissues. Int J Lepr 50:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  9. Nilsen R, Mengistu G, Reddy BB (1989) The role of nerve biopsies in the diagnosis and management of leprosy. Lepr Rev 60:28–32

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ochoa J (1980) Nerve fibre pathology in acute and chronic compression. In: Omer JE, Spinner M (eds) Management of peripheral nerve problems. WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia, pp 487–501

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ochoa J, Marotte L (1973) The nature of the nerve lesion caused by chronic entrapment in the guinea pig. J Neurol Sci 19:491–495

    Google Scholar 

  12. Raine CS, Wisniewski H, Prineas J (1969) An ultrastructural study of experimental encephalomyelitis in the peripheral nervous system. Lab Invest 21:316–327

    Google Scholar 

  13. Rees RJW, Waters MFR, Weddell AGM, Palmer E (1967) Experimental lepromatous leprosy. Nature 215:599–602

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ridley DS and Jopling W (1966) Classification of leprosy according to immunity. A five group system. Int J Lepr 34:255–273

    Google Scholar 

  15. Sansarricq H (1989) Technical problems related to multidrug therapy in leprosy control. Acta Leprol (Geneve) 7:59–62

    Google Scholar 

  16. Schröder J (1986) Proliferation of epineurial capillaries and smooth muscle cells in angiopathic peripheral neuropathy. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 72:29–37

    Google Scholar 

  17. Shetty VP, Antia NH, Jacobs JM (1988) The pathology of early leprous neuropathy. J Neurol Sci 88:115–131

    Google Scholar 

  18. Shetty VP, Suchitra K, Uplekar MW, Antia NH (1992) Persistence of M. leprae in the peripheral nerve as compared to skin of multidrug-treated leprosy patients. Lepr Rev (in press)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Supported by LEPRA

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jacobs, J.M., Shetty, V.P. & Antia, N.H. A morphological study of nerve biopsies from cases of multibacillary leprosy given multidrug therapy. Acta Neuropathol 85, 533–541 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230494

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230494

Key words

Navigation