[Peripheral nerve lesions of experimental leprosy in monkeys. V. Histopathological finding of cutaneous nerves and cutaneous sensory organs].

The skin samples of each palm side and dorsum side of finger, nose and peripheral nerves running under the finger skin at the area between proximal phalanx and distal phalanx of mangabey monkey A022 and rhesus monkey A125 were studied by histopathological methods (semithin section and light microscopic findings). Results found about this study were as follows. 1. In spite of the existence of a large amount of leprosy bacilli at the areas of corium and subcutis, some of Meissner's corpuscles, Vater-Pacinian corpuscles (or Golgi-Mazzoni's corpuscles) and Krauze's end bulbs-like structures were observed. 2. Occasionally, several intracytoplasmic foamy structures containing a large amount of leprosy bacilli were observed at the shallow and deep layers of stratum papillare of corium, where leprosy bacilli were not so remarkable as shown on Figure 4. So, it was thought that the affinity of leprosy bacilli to free nerve endings should be exist there. 3. Some of M. arrector pili were kept in good condition in spite of the existence of multiplying leprosy bacilli around the hair follicles. 4. It was thought that the histopathological findings of the fascicles of cutaneous nerves were classified to 4 patterns. The first pattern of histopathological finding of the cutaneous nerve was shown as A on Figure 25. In this pattern observed in almost of all the fascicles locating at the subcutis, no leprosy bacillus was observed inside the fascicles, and the nerve fibers were kept in good condition. The second pattern observed in almost of all the fascicles located at the corium, was shown as B on Figure 25. In this pattern, a large amount of leprosy bacilli were observed inside the fascicles, and the nerve fibers were often kept in good condition. The third pattern observed in almost of all the fascicles located at the deep layer of corium and subcutis, was shown as C on Figure 25. In this pattern, not only multiplying leprosy bacilli but also remarkable fibrosis were found inside one fascicle, and many nerve fibers disappeared by the existence of the bacilli and fibrosis. The final pattern observed in almost of all the fascicles located at the deep layer of corium and subcutis, was shown as D on Figure 25. In this pattern, remarkable fibrosis was observed inside the fascicles, and the nerve fibers often disappeared by the existence of fibrosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenal medullary autografts into the basal ganglia of Cebus monkeys: graft viability and fine structure.

Based largely upon studies done in rats, a number of medical centers are now performing autografts of adrenal medullary tissue in consenting patients with Parkinson's disease. However, a systematic experimental evaluation of adrenal medullary autografts in nonhuman primates is necessary. This study provides a detailed analysis of the implant site at the fine structural level 30 days post-transplantation in the Cebus monkey. Five normal and two 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated Cebus monkeys received adrenal medullary autografts using an open microsurgical approach (n = 3) or via stereotactic placement with a tissue carrier (n = 4). Analysis of preimplant samples of the adrenal medulla confirmed that viable chromaffin cells were implanted into the basal ganglia. However, 30 days later, the implant site resembled a chronic inflammatory focus, with grafted chromaffin cells identified ultrastructurally in only two of the seven transplanted monkeys. The grafted cells showed overt signs of cellular degeneration and were surrounded by phagocytic macrophages. All of the implant sites, regardless of the surgical approach, were filled with macrophages, cells of hematogenous origin, and fibrous astrocytes. The vasculature of the implant site was of the nonfenestrated type, characteristic of the host striatum. Despite the poor survival of implanted chromaffin cells, robust sprouting of tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactive fibers was evident in the striatum adjacent to the implant site (see accompanying manuscript, M.S. Fiandaca, J. H. Kordower, J.T. Hansen, S.-S. Jiao, and D.M. Gash, 1988, Exp. Neurol. 102: 76-91), suggesting that implantation may have precipitated a host response that was beneficial to the transplanted animal. Additional studies that provide a better understanding of the cellular elements residing in the implant site and their potential for trophic influence seem warranted.

Electron microscopic study of leprosy in a mangabey monkey (natural infection).

Ultrastructural features of the leproma of a) a naturally infected mangabey monkey, and lepromas and liver of b) a passage mangabey monkey, c) a rhesus monkey, d) an African green monkey, and e) a nine-banded armadillo inoculated with leprosy bacilli isolated from the leproma of a naturally infected mangabey monkey were studied by the freeze-etching technique. The size, shape, and ultrastructural features of leprosy bacilli in the phagolysosomes of macrophages in all of these samples were essentially the same as those in humans, nude mice, and armadillos inoculated with human Mycobacterium leprae. Distinct accumulations of small spherical droplets were observed around leprosy bacilli inside lepra cells of all the samples but were scarce in the specimen from the green monkey. The bacilli in all samples were long and slender, and had band structures on the smooth cell wall surfaces. The bacilli were indistinguishable from M. leprae.