A look at world leprosy

Novel O-Methylated Terminal Glucuronic Acid Characterizes the Polar Glycopeptidolipids of Mycobacterium habana Strain TMC 5135

“…Leprosy and tuberculosis are grave diseases with large worldwide prevalences (Raviglione et al, 1995;Noordeen, 1994). If leprosy seems, for the present and at considerable cost, likely to be controlled by effective and available chemotherapy, tuberculosis incidence is rising and infections with novel multiple drug-resistant strains are effectively incurable (Bloom and Murray, 1992).…”

Relapse (Reactivation) in Borderline Tuberculoid (BT) Leprosy

“…An endeavour to eradicate the disease by the year 2000 continues through institution of standard multidrug therapy recommendations for pauci-and multibacillary leprosy (1). Undoubtedly, there has been a perceptible decline in prevalence (2,3). There is concern that injudicious use may invoke persister, relapse (reactivation), and drug resistant Mycobacterium leprae (4).…”

Leprosy in the tropics and Australia

“…(Med J Aust 1993; 159: 326-330) Figure 1: Prevalence ot registered cases ot leprosy in the world in February 1992 (data from the Leprosy Control Programmme ot the World Health Organization). 3 R adical changes have occurred in the management and prognosis of patients with leprosy in the last two decades . In the past, patients often presented late with established disfiguring nerve damage and required therapy for many years.…”

“…Finally, although leprosy control with dapsone monotherapy had been effective in certain countrles,s there was no change in the prevalence or incidence of leprosy in the major countries where it was endemic. 3 Drawing on data from experimental chemotherapy studies, a World Health Organization (WHO) Working Group devised MDT regimens lor Implementation in these countries.' The regimens were designed both to kill drug-sensitive organisms and to prevent the selection of drug-resistant mutants.'…”