Relapses and reinfection in leprosy

Abstract

We included in this work:

1) Review of the literature on relapses in multibacillary leprosy patients after sulfonic monotherapy and multidrug therapy (MDT/WHO). 2) Criteria used in diagnosis of relapse, differentiation from reactional episodes and relapse rates found in different studies. 3) Results obtained in follow-up after discharge of patients from a comparative clinic study with two multidrug therapeutic with fixed duration. 4) A case report of a relapse in a patient from the previous study, submitted to Rifampicin (RMP) 600 mg and Dapsone (DDS) 100 mg daily, selfadministered for 3 months, followed by DDS 100 mg self-administered for 21 months. Mouse, foot pad injected with skin lesion biopsy at relapse showed presence of viable M. Leprae suceptible to DDS and RMP. After MDT/WHO regimen initiation, the case had good evolution, suggesting a relapse by bacillum persistence.