Study of early nerve lesions in mice infected with M. leprae

The present study is of quantitative histology in immunologically intact mice inoculated with M. leprae. Total twelve sciatic nerves are studied. The fibres are grouped as large, medium and small sized fibres. Initially there is loss of small size fibres. At later stages there is involvement of all sized fibres and ultimately Wallerian type of degeneration sets in. The process of regeneration is more active than that of human leprosy of tuberculoid type. This study adds a new dimension in understanding the pathogenesis of leprosy.