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Updated: Jul 25, 2026
11:53
Intracellular Recording, Sensory Field Mapping, and Culturing Identified Neurons in the Leech, Hirudo medicinalis
Published on: November 4, 2013
Host parasite response in nerve in leprosy
1Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK.
Indian Journal of Leprosy
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Leprosy nerve damage involves axonal injury and myelin sheath disruption. Surgical repair of nerve granulomas in experimental models showed significant functional and neuropeptide recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Nerve granulomas are a key feature across the leprosy spectrum.
- Mycobacterial infections can lead to significant nerve damage, including axonal and myelin sheath disruption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms of nerve damage in experimental mycobacterial granulomas.
- To evaluate the potential for recovery following surgical intervention in affected nerves.
Main Methods:
- Experimental models using guinea pig sciatic and tibial nerves injected with mycobacteria.
- Clinical, electrophysiological, morphometric, and immunohistological assessments.
- Excision and muscle graft repair of localized granulomas.
Main Results:
- Axonal damage, myelin sheath disruption, and neuropeptide loss were observed.
- Macrophages within granulomas expressed TNF-alpha, implicated in axonal damage.
- Schwann cells did not appear to play a role in antigen presentation.
- Surgical repair led to marked clinical, electrophysiological, and morphometric recovery, with restored neuropeptide production.
Conclusions:
- Mycobacterial nerve granulomas cause significant, but potentially reversible, nerve damage.
- Surgical intervention, such as muscle grafting, can promote substantial recovery of nerve function and neuropeptide expression.
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