Unlabelled: We report on a prospective study undertaken in April 2008, in 11 leper villages of the Southern Cameroon. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and the causes of bilateral blindness, low vision and unilateral blindness in the population of leprosy patients, irrespective of the clinical aspects of the illness.
Results: Two hundred thirty-five known and newly diagnosed leprosy patients were examined. These patients included 149 cases (63.4%) of multibacillary leprosy and 86 cases (36.6%) of paucibacillary leprosy. There were 111 case of visual handicap, representing 47.2% of the population. These visual handicap cases were subdivided into 45 cases (19%) of bilateral blindness, 35 cases (15%) of unilateral blindness and 31 cases (13.2%) of low vision.
Discussion: The prevalence of visual handicap among leprosy patients in Cameroon is too high. Causes in the majority of cases are age-related degenerative pathologies, and one third of cases are linked to the leprosy mycobacterium.
Conclusion: Discovering a cure for ophthalmic pathologies is important in order to provide a better quality of life for this particular population.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/opth.s4495 | DOI Listing |
Nagoya J Med Sci
November 2024
Department of Dermatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
We report a case of a woman presenting with an erythematous finger nodule, with a history of exposure to tropical fish. The erythematous nodules subsequently spread proximally from the finger. Initial treatment with oral amoxicillin-clavulanate was unsuccessful, and she developed a drug eruption.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
January 2025
Marie Adelaide Leprosy Center, Karachi, Pakistan.
Background: Recent epidemiological data shows significant rates of grade 2 disability at point-of-diagnosis among new leprosy cases in Pakistan. This indicates a feature of extensive diagnostic delay; the disability burden appears unmoving and disproportionate to the falling leprosy incidence rates. Therefore, this study was required to understand reasons for delay in diagnosis and treatment of leprosy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPharmaceuticals (Basel)
December 2024
Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Bioactive Compounds, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, São Francisco University, 215 São Francisco de Assis Avenue, Bragança Paulista 12916-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
Treating chronic wounds incurs substantial costs for Brazil's Unified Health System. Natural compounds, particularly propolis, are increasingly explored as low-cost alternatives due to their healing properties. Brazilian green propolis, distinct in its chemical composition, has garnered scientific interest.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis
December 2024
Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.
Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by () However, the emergence of drug-resistant strains of this bacterium, especially multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, is a serious concern. This study aimed to evaluate the global prevalence of MDR and its implications.
Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed ISI Web of Science, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to August 2023 to assess the prevalence of MDR .
Bullous type 2 lepra reactions are a rare initial presentation in leprosy that can complicate the disease with vesiculo-bullous lesions. Early recognition and differentiation from other bullous disorders are critical for timely corticosteroid and multidrug therapy initiation to improve patient outcomes.
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