Neurotoxins can be drugs, heavy metals, or chemicals. The heavy metals lead, mercury, arsenic and gold are all neurotoxins. Many industrial chemicals, including organophosphates and acrylamide, are neurotoxins. The most common cause of neuropathy worldwide is leprosy, a contagious disease caused by a bacterial infection. Patients usually have significant sensory loss and suffer injuires and other infections without realizing it.
Treatment involves a potent schedule of antibiotics.
Sometimes the treatment of HIV, rather than the virus itself, causes neuropathy. Usually the neuropathy is caused by inflammation around the nerves, which leads to nerve dysfunction. Hereditary Neuropathies Many inherited, or familial, diseases can cause neuropathy. A peripheral nerve can suffer severe damage when it is compressed or trapped by surrounding structures. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common neuropathy caused by nerve compression.