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Histopathological changes in the eyes of mangabey monkeys with lepromatous leprosy
R Malaty1, W M Meyers, G P Walsh
1LSU Eye Center, New Orleans 70112.
Abstract:
Leprosy is the third leading cause of preventable blindness; however, little is known about the spread of infection to the eye. We have studied the eyes of three sooty managabey monkeys. Two were experimentally infected with Mycobacterium leprae; the third was not infected. In one of the infected animals there was histopathological evidence of lepromatous leprosy as evidenced by a chronic inflammatory infiltrate at the limbus, and detection of acid-fast bacilli in the corneal stroma, blood vessel walls, and corneal nerves. The latter were damaged as a result of the bacillary invasion. Electron microscopy revealed involvement and distortion of keratocytes with M. leprae and invasion of the corneal stroma by macrophages containing bacilli. Both infected animals showed focal collections of lymphocytes in the superficial stroma of the conjunctiva and in the ciliary body. This is the first report of the ocular manifestations of leprosy in any primate, including man, in which the duration of infection is known.
Insights
Leprosy infection can spread to the eye, causing damage to the cornea and surrounding tissues. This study in sooty mangabey monkeys provides the first primate model for understanding ocular leprosy progression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primate Research
Background:
- Leprosy is a significant cause of preventable blindness globally.
- The ocular manifestations and transmission pathways of leprosy remain poorly understood.
- Primate models are crucial for studying infectious diseases affecting the eye.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ocular manifestations of leprosy in a primate model.
- To elucidate the histopathological changes and bacillary spread within the eye following Mycobacterium leprae infection.
- To establish a primate model for studying ocular leprosy, including duration of infection.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of two sooty mangabey monkeys with Mycobacterium leprae.
- Histopathological examination of ocular tissues from infected and control animals.
- Electron microscopy to analyze cellular and subcellular changes.
- Assessment of bacillary presence and host inflammatory response.
Main Results:
- Histopathological evidence of lepromatous leprosy in one infected monkey.
- Detection of Mycobacterium leprae in the corneal stroma, nerves, and blood vessels, with associated nerve damage.
- Electron microscopy confirmed M. leprae invasion of keratocytes and corneal stroma by macrophages.
- Lymphocytic infiltrates observed in the conjunctiva and ciliary body of both infected animals.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first report of ocular leprosy manifestations in a primate model with known infection duration.
- The findings demonstrate M. leprae can invade and damage ocular structures, including corneal nerves.
- The sooty mangabey monkey serves as a valuable model for further research into the pathogenesis and treatment of ocular leprosy.
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