title: Mycobacteria in nerve trunks of long-term treated leprosy patients.
abstract: Mycobacteria were present in 4 out of 8 mixed peripheral nerve trunks from patients (3 BT and 1 BL) treated with DDS and/or MDT for periods ranging from 21 months to 8 years. Most of the bacilli appeared to be 'whole'. Nerve destruction with areas of granulomatous infiltration appeared more active than expected. Possible reasons for a continued presence of bacilli in treated nerves and its implications in 'relapse' are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons of England, East Grinstead.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Palande
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gschmeissner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015439:Leprosy, Borderline / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007917:Leprostatic Agents