Mycobacteria Leprae Infection



Mycobacteria Leprae Infection


Bruce M. Wenig, MD





Key Facts


Terminology



  • Infection caused by M. lepra characterized by cutaneous, mucosal, peripheral nerve involvement


Clinical Issues



  • Peripheral nerve involvement results in pain and sensory loss


  • Sinonasal tract involvement important in transmission of disease as numerous bacilli in nasal secretions


Microscopic Pathology



  • Lepromatous leprosy



    • Absence of granulomatous inflammation


    • Presence of sheets of lymphocytes and vacuolated histiocytes (lepra cells)


    • Abundant microorganisms


  • Tuberculoid leprosy



    • Noncaseating granulomatous inflammation


    • Paucity of microorganisms







Lepromatous leprosy shows a diffuse proliferation of vacuolated histiocytes (so-called lepra cells) image. In contrast to tuberculoid leprosy, well-formed granulomas are not present.






Abundant red staining M. lepra microorganisms, in clusters and as individual organisms image, are present within the vacuolated histiocytes (lepra cells).


TERMINOLOGY


Abbreviations



  • Lepromatous leprosy (LL)


  • Tuberculoid leprosy (TL)


Synonyms



  • Hansen disease


Definitions



  • Infection caused by Mycobacterium lepra characterized by cutaneous, mucosal, and peripheral nerve involvement

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Jul 7, 2016 | Posted by in PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Mycobacteria Leprae Infection

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