Pathology of ther peripheral nerves in leprosy: report of a case

Peripheral nerve trunks were examined from a case of lepromatous leprosy. M. leprae was seen in the nerves in several types of cells. Isolated nerve fibre preparations showed demyelinating lesions due to Schwann cell damage and complete nerve fibre degeneration. The causes of this mixed pattern of damage may involve both a direct effect of the bacilli on nerve fibres and various epiphenomena.