NERVE DAMAGE FOLLOWING INTRANEURAL INJECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM-LEPRAE INTO RABBITS PRESENSITIZED TO MYCOBACTERIA

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (2) , 441-448
Abstract
Rabbits were sensitized with M. leprae and then injected M. leprae sonicate into the sciatic nerves at the peak of hypersensitivity. Seventy-two hours later, the nerves were dissected out and studied histologically. Cellular infiltration and axonal degeneration occured as a direct consequence of hypersensitivity to intraneural M. leprae antigens. This study offers direct evidence for the involvement of specific cell-mediated hypersensitivity to M. leprae antigens in the pathogenesis of major nerve trunk damage in the tuberculoid end of the leprosy spectrum, especially during acute reversal reactions.