Complications Complications

In Leprosy, the peripheral nerve trunks are invaded by bacilli and inflammatory cells. This causes tenderness, thickening, and irregularity of the nerve, as well as sensorimotor complications. Neuropathic pain may also occur.

Involvement of the facial nerve leads to failure of eyelid closure and lagophthalmos. Nasal mucosa also becomes dry and hypoesthetic, as do the cornea and conjunctiva.

Leprosy directly infects the eyes and interferes with the facial nerve branches that innervate the eyes. This results in:

Inability to close the eyelids (lagophthalmos)

Keratitis due to absence of tears and drying, which leads to corneal ulcers

Iridocyclitis

Cataract formation

All of the above typically lead to blindness in more than 3% of patients, and consist of a obstacle in communication after aesthesia of the hands and feet.

Renal damage may occur as a result of secondary amyloidosis affecting many organs. This is mostly observed when Leprosy takes a chronic course. Renal damage may manifest as glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis among others.

Orchitis or inflammation of testicles is very common and affects around 90% of patients. It has the potential to cause infertility and impotence.

Pulmonary tuberculosis is often detected and it affects the upper airway causing ischemic ulceration and autonomic dysfunction.

Lastly, generalized abnormalities of peripheral vessels and endothelial cell infection are common.