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A System for Culturing Iris Pigment Epithelial Cells to Study Lens Regeneration in Newt
Published on: June 22, 2011
Pathology of iris in leprosy
E Daniel1, G J Ebenezer, C K Job
1Branch of Ophthalmology, Schieffelin Leprosy Research and Training Centre, Karigiri, Tamilnadu, India.
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Leprosy can cause silent chronic inflammation of the iris (iridocyclitis) not detected clinically. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) may persist in iris tissue even after multidrug therapy (MDT), and smooth muscle destruction can occur.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, can affect various organs, including the eye.
- Ocular manifestations in leprosy, such as iridocyclitis, can lead to significant visual impairment.
- Subclinical ocular involvement in leprosy remains underdiagnosed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histopathological features of the iris in leprosy patients.
- To identify the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in iris tissue.
- To correlate histopathological findings with clinical presentation.
Main Methods:
- Light microscopy was used to examine formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded iris tissue from 20 leprosy patients undergoing cataract surgery.
- Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and modified Fite Faraco's stain for AFB.
- Clinical data, including evidence of iridocyclitis, were reviewed.
Main Results:
- Chronic inflammatory reactions were observed in the iris of 11 patients (55%), with seven showing no clinical signs of iridocyclitis.
- Smooth muscle disruption and destruction were noted in two specimens.
- AFB were detected in the iris tissue of one borderline lepromatous patient with negative skin smears who had completed multidrug therapy (MDT).
Conclusions:
- Histopathology reveals a higher prevalence of silent chronic iridocyclitis in leprosy patients than clinically diagnosed.
- Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) can persist in iris tissue even after completion of MDT.
- Smooth muscle disruption and destruction in the iris, a potential cause of miotic pupil in leprosy, are histopathologically confirmed.
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