title: Vasculitic neuropathy in a patient with inactive treated lepromatous leprosy.
abstract: A 46 year old Asian male with previously treated lepromatous leprosy developed a stepwise multifocal sensory disturbance 25 years later. Neurophysiology demonstrated marked deterioration from previous studies. Sural nerve biopsy disclosed a vasculitic process superimposed on inactive lepromatous leprosy. Immunocytochemical stains for mycobacterial antigen showed deposits within nerve and vessel walls. A delayed vasculitic neuropathy precipitated by persisting mycobacterial antigen is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurology, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McDougall
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donaghy
mesh_terms: D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology