Results from the Clinical Trial of Uniform Multidrug Therapy for Leprosy Patients in Brazil (U-MDT/CT-BR): Decrease in Bacteriological Index

Leprosy reactions: The predictive value of Mycobacterium leprae-specific serology evaluated in a Brazilian cohort of leprosy patients (U-MDT/CT-BR)

“…So far, patients have been followed for a total person-time of 780,930 person-days, i.e. 2139.5 person-years, with a maximum of 6.66 years follow-up time [ 8 ]. At enrollment, all leprosy patients had complete dermato-neurological evaluation by clinicians with vast expertise in leprosy diagnosis.…”

“…In this study group, the frequency of leprosy reactions was similar in the first year after diagnosis compared to subsequent monitoring (p>0.05), therefore, the consolidated data analysis, considered the predictive value of baseline serology for the development of leprosy reactions observed any time during the entire monitoring up to 6.66 years after MDT. Serological results were analyzed based on the patients´ bacteriological index (BI) which was stratified into 3 categories: negative BI, BI higher than zero and lower than 3 (0> BI < 3) and BI equal or higher than 3 (BI≥ 3) as previously reported [ 8 ].…”

“…In 2007, an open-label, randomized clinical trial was designed and conducted to compare the regular MDT (R-MDT) proposed by WHO and a uniform MDT regimen (U-MDT) consisting of six doses of rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine for PB and MB leprosy patients. Clinical monitoring is still under way in Brazil regarding mainly the development of reactions and relapses (Clinical Trial for Uniform Multidrug Therapy Regimen for Leprosy Patients in Brazil , U-MDT/CT-BR) [ 4 – 8 ].…”

“…This investigation used a robust sera bank of the U-MDT/CT-BR , a well characterized cohort of leprosy patients monitored for more than 6 years regarding the development of leprosy reactions and relapses. [ 4 , 6 – 8 , 29 ].…”

Whole genome sequencing distinguishes between relapse and reinfection in recurrent leprosy cases

“…In 2007, an open-label randomized and controlled clinical trial (uniform multidrug therapy for leprosy patients in Brazil, U-MDT/CT-BR) was initiated to compare U-MDT with the regular MDT for PB and MB patients. [ 5 , 6 ] Clinical monitoring is still taking place with special emphasis on disease recurrence and leprosy type 1 and type 2 reactions (T1R/T2R).…”