Korean Lepr Bull.  2001 Jun;34(1):13-24.

Lepromatous Neuropathy

• Kim SM

Abstract

Leprosy is chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a microorganism to which only a small portion of any given population is susceptible. Although M. leprae can be found nearly anywhere in the body outside the central nervous system, even in the more severe types of leprosy it produces significant damage only in the superficial nerves, the skin, the anterior third of eye, the upper respiratory tract, and testis. Bacillary invasion of peripheral nerve commonly occur in leprosy patients and lepromatous neuropathy is treatable neuropathy in the world. So early detection of lepromatous neuropathy is important for social adaptation and prevention of life threatening complications. For differential diagnosis with other peripheral neuropathies, general overviews of peripheral neuropathies about anatomical, clinical, laboratory and diagnostic aspects of peripheral nervous system.

Keyword

Leprosy; Lepromatous neuropathy; Peripheral neuropathy

MeSH Terms

Central Nervous System
Communicable Diseases
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Leprosy
Mycobacterium leprae
Peripheral Nerves
Peripheral Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
Respiratory System
Skin
Testis