01756nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653002300059653002600082653000800108653001400116653001100130653001200141653002300153653000900176100001300185245004200198300001000240490000700250050003200257520121100289022001401500       1996                            d  c1996 Jan-Mar10aAutonomic Pathways10aCardiovascular System10aEye10aGenitalia10aHumans10aleprosy10aRespiratory System10aSkin1 aKatoch K00aAutonomic nerve affection in leprosy.  a49-540 v68  aInfolep Library - available3 a<p>Leprosy has been shown to affect almost all systems of human body and abnormalities in functions of autonomic nerves innervating various parts have been observed in several studies. In the skin and its appendages, the common changes are anhidrosis and varying degree of impaired sweat response. Signs of denervation of iris and reduced intraocular pressure are permanent features of autonomic involvement in the eye. In the cardiac autonomic functions, rhythm disturbances have been documented by several investigators. Respiratory function test studies have shown impaired breath holding time and decreased response to cough as well as other changes indicating blockade of vagus nerves and sympathetic plexus. Abnormal testicular pain sensation and diminished nocturnal penile tumiscence provide evidence of afflication of autonomic nerves of male genital system. Other important autonomic nervous system involvements include the nerves innervating the capillaries of legs. These changes have been observed to be more in extensive and long standing disease which indicate the need to study all these aspects in prospective studies specially in the light of early institution of multidrug treatment.</p>  a0254-9395