Histopathological findings of serial preparation including the total length of nerve or Extrimitas thracica in leprosy (author's transl)

Abstract

Most reports on the histological changes in the peripheral nerves in leprosy have been made from the study of biopsy specimens. A study of bigger nerves, in their entire length, including the spinal cord, has been made occasionally as this is possible only at autopsy. We have undertaken a detailed study of the peripheral nerves in lepromatous leprosy by which made an addition to modified embedding method of their entire length. In addition, a detailed histological examination of the spinal cord was also undertaken. Histological examination of peripheral nerves of the upper extremities including the plexus and the roots of origin from the spinal cord dissected from three autopsy cases showed a greater degree of destruction of the axis cylinders and myelin sheaths in a spindle-like from and moderate destruction of them in proximal parts. Lepra bacilli, besides being present all along the peripheral nerves were found to be concentrated in a spindle-like from part.The examination of the spinal cords in three cases of lepromatous leprosy both histopathologically as well as by the staining method for the bacilli by Harada, failed to reveal acid fast organisms.It is concluded, therefore, that the lepra bacilli travel along the peripheral nerves to the roots, but fail to enter the spinal cord and it degenerates only secondarily.