Molecular epidemiology and transmission dynamics of leprosy among multicase families and case-contact pairs.

Background: Human-to-human transmission of Mycobacterium leprae among household contacts of active leprosy cases is significant, and surveillance of household contacts is vital to interrupting the transmission chain for this disease. This study was conducted to identify similarities in M. leprae strains, based on genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), among cases and their household contacts and in multicase families in order to decipher possible associations, transmission links, various clinical conditions of index cases that enhance person-to-person transmission, and timelines for transmission patterns.

Predicting neuropathy and reactions in leprosy at diagnosis and before incident events-results from the INFIR cohort study.

Background: Leprosy is a disease of skin and peripheral nerves. The process of nerve injury occurs gradually through the course of the disease as well as acutely in association with reactions. The INFIR (ILEP Nerve Function Impairment and Reactions) Cohort was established to identify clinically relevant neurological and immunological predictors for nerve injury and reactions.

Evolution of vision reducing cataract in skin smear positive lepromatous patients: does it have an inflammatory basis?

Aim: To describe the incidence and risk factors of vision reducing cataract in skin smear positive lepromatous patients.

Methods: Prospective longitudinal cohort study: 212 newly diagnosed lepromatous patients were followed during the two years of treatment with multidrug therapy and for a further five years, with biannual ocular examinations. Incidence of vision reducing (< or =6/18) cataract was calculated as the number of patients with cataract per person year of cataract-free follow up among those who did not have cataract at baseline.

Iris atrophy in patients with newly diagnosed multibacillary leprosy: at diagnosis, during and after completion of multidrug treatment.

Aim: To describe the prevalence and incidence of iris atrophy in patients with multibacillary (MB) leprosy.

Methods And Patients: Prospective longitudinal cohort study. 301 newly diagnosed patients with MB leprosy were followed up during the 2 years of treatment with multidrug therapy (MDT) and for a further 5 years with biannual ocular examinations.

Macrophage-stimulating activity of polysaccharides extracted from fruiting bodies of Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom).

The macrophage-stimulating effect of polysaccharides extracted from Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail mushroom) was investigated, and their effectiveness was compared with that of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The purified polysaccharide (CV-S2-Fr.I) of C.

Incidence of ocular morbidity among multibacillary leprosy patients during a 2 year course of multidrug therapy.

Aim: To evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for ocular complications in multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients during their 2 year, fixed duration, multidrug therapy (MDT).

Methods: Periodic eye examinations were conducted prospectively on a cohort of 301 consecutive newly diagnosed MB patients every 6 months during their 2 year course of MDT. Incidence of ocular pathology was calculated as the number of events per person year of event free follow up of patients who did not have the specific finding at baseline.

Secondary rifampin resistance following multi-drug therapy--a case report.

This is the first report of secondary resistance to rifampin following MDT in a patient with prolonged, but irregular treatment. Repeated mouse foot-pad studies demonstrated resistance to dapsone after several years of monotherapy, and following subsequent MDT the studies demonstrated the development of resistance to rifampin.

Polyprenylated benzophenones from Garcinia assigu and their potential cancer chemopreventive activities.

In a further study on the chemical constituents of Garcinia assigu, two new benzophenones corresponding to the 13-O-methyl ethers (1 and 2) of the known isogarcinol and garcinol, respectively, were isolated and characterized, along with known benzophenones (3-6). Inhibitory effects of the benzophenones isolated from this plant on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells and their radical-scavenging ability against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were demonstrated. The cyclized polyprenylbenzophenones (1-5) showed comparable or stronger potential cancer chemopreventive activity when compared to glycyrrhetic acid, a known anti-tumor promoter.

Ocular complications in newly diagnosed borderline lepromatous and lepromatous leprosy patients: baseline profile of the Indian cohort.

Aim: To describe ocular manifestations in newly diagnosed borderline lepromatous (BL) and lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients in India.

Methods: Ocular complications, at enrolment, occurring in all new borderline lepromatous and lepromatous leprosy patients detected by active case finding within the geographically defined leprosy endemic area of the Gudiyattam Taluk in India from 1991 to 1997 who consented to ocular examinations every 6 months, during and 5 years after treatment with multidrug therapy (MDT), were studied.

Results: Orbicularis oculi weakness (4.

Impact of MDT on incidence rates of leprosy among household contacts. Part 1. Baseline data.

This preliminary study from Gudiyatham Taluk, the leprosy control area of the Schieffelin Leprosy Research & Training Centre, investigated the incidence rates of leprosy among household contacts during the period 1970-1985. The incidence rates of leprosy among the household contacts prior to and during the initiation of multi-drug therapy are presented here. The overall incidence rate among the household contacts was 4 per 1000 person-years at risk.

T-cell depletion of spleen in patients with longstanding lepromatous leprosy.

In 8 autopsied lepromatous patients the spleen was examined histopathologically and their differential cell population was counted in subcapsular area, red pulp and white pulp. There was considerable reduction of lymphocytes and well marked increase in macrophages and plasma cells in the thymus dependent white pulp. In the subcapsular area and the red pulp, although there was an increase in plasma cells and macrophages no significant reduction of lymphocytes was recorded.