Slit skin smear versus anti-phenolic glycolipid-I serology in diagnosis of leprosy: a cross sectional study.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease which mainly affects the skin, nasal mucosa, and peripheral nerves. The aim of this study was to compare between the efficacies of serum anti-phenolic glycolipid 1 (APGL-I) level versus slit skin smear (SSS) in diagnosis of leprosy. This study involved 58 leprosy cases who were clinically examined, slit-skin smears were taken from all at diagnosis from four sites and APGL-I levels were seroassayed using ELISA.

Predictors of treatment delay among drug resistant tuberculosis patients in Uganda.

Background: Drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) continues to be a significant global public health concern despite the availability of effective TB medicines. Equally, delayed DR-TB treatment initiation is associated with increased morbidity, amplified resistance, transmission risk and poor treatment outcomes. This study aimed to investigate treatment delays and identify predictors of delayed treatment initiation among DR-TB patients in Uganda.

A Review of the Knops Blood Group System.

The Knops blood group system is an independent blood group system recognized by International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in 1992, and latest time consisting of 13 antigens carried on a glycoprotein of 2489 amino acids and called the Complement C3b/C4b Receptor 1 (CR1). Erythrocyte KN antigen was first reported in 1970, and CR1 is a protein coding gene that is a member of the receptors of complement activation (RCA) family and is located in the "cluster RCA" region of chromosome 1. CR1 is an important participant in the erythrocyte immune machinery and plays an major role in inhibiting complement activation, and polymorphisms in its expression have been closely associated with a variety of diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), malaria, Plasmodium falciparum malaria, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and leprosy.

Strengthening Cause of Death Statistics in Selected Districts of 3 States in India: Protocol for an Uncontrolled, Before-After, Mixed Method Study.

Background: Mortality statistics are vital for health policy development, epidemiological research, and health care service planning. A robust surveillance system is essential for obtaining vital information such as cause of death (CoD) information.

Objective: This study aims to develop a comprehensive model to strengthen the CoD information in the selected study sites.

Pattern, causes and functional outcome of peripheral neuropathies in the Amazon region.

Background: Peripheral neuropathies have a wide variety of causes and pathophysiologies. Assuming that there are local particularities in the Amazon region, the aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients by determining the factors associated with functional severity.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study at Cayenne Hospital between January 2015 and May 2023.

Progression of the leprosy reaction and nerve damage: A prospective cohort study in children with leprosy from the Brazilian Amazon.

Introduction: Leprosy reactions being closely related to damage to peripheral nerves and physical disabilities associated with disease progression. Disabilities in childhood can have a devastating effect with impaired children's cognitive, emotional, social, and educational development. We followed up the progression of leprosy reactions in children identifying associated factors with the emergence and/or worsening of nerve damage.

Reassessing the Significance of Mycobacterium in Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Study Protocol in Nigeria.

Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) significantly impact the physical and mental well-being of affected individuals, particularly in Nigeria. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating mental health services with self-care practices for individuals suffering from leprosy, Buruli ulcer (BU), and lymphatic filariasis (LF). The role of trained Healthcare Workers (HCWs) and NTD champions (NTD-Cs) will be explored to enhance health outcomes in this population.

Factors Associated with Favorable Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes Determined Using Multiple Regression Analysis in Lusaka, Zambia, 2022.

Background: This study aims to identify the factors associated with favorable treatment outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) patients registered at two hospitals and two urban health centers in Lusaka, Zambia in 2022.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, focusing on patients who were either cured or completed treatment, defined as having favorable treatment outcomes. Unfavorable treatment outcomes included treatment failure, death, lost to follow-up, or not evaluated.

Meanings and senses of Hansen's disease for health workers from a Vygotskian perspective: a qualitative study.

Background: Hansen's disease is an infectious disease with a slow and chronic evolution that can manifest itself through skin lesions, with changes in thermal, painful and tactile sensitivity, and also affect peripheral nerves, causing significant physical disabilities. This study aimed to analyze the meanings and senses for health workers from outpatient services who provide care to people diagnosed with Hansen's disease.

Methods: This is an exploratory qualitative study that used the Vygotskian theoretical-methodological framework based on the dimension of historical-dialectic materialism that bases its procedures on the use of meaning cores.

Effect of COVID-19 restriction measures on multidrug resistant tuberculosis case notifications and treatment outcomes at treatment centres in Uganda.

Background: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a global public health threat. In 2021, an incidence of 3.6% was reported among new TB patients, and 18% was reported among previously treated patients.

Clofazimine-induced crystalline keratopathy in a leprosy patient.

A young male in his late 20s presented with brownish discolouration of the conjunctiva and periocular area of both eyes. He was diagnosed as a case of lepromatous leprosy with recurrent type II lepra reaction 4 years ago and was started on multidrug therapy-multi bacillary, which included clofazimine. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes.

Trans-nasal brain delivery of anti-TB drugs by methyl-β-cyclodextrin microparticles show efficient mycobacterial clearance from central nervous system.

Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS-TB) is the most severe extra-pulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis (TB), facing significant challenges due to the limited penetration of anti-TB drugs (ATDs) across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and their insufficient concentrations at the site of infection. This study aimed to enhance the efficacy of ATDs by encapsulating them in methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) microparticles (ATD-MP) using spray drying, intended for intranasal delivery to manage CNS-TB. M-β-CD microparticles loaded with isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) exhibited spherical shapes with slightly deflated surfaces and particle sizes of 6.

Optimizing delivery strategies for 3HP TB preventive treatment in Tanzania: A qualitative study on acceptability of family approach in HIV care and treatment centers.

Tanzania rolled-out a 12-dose, weekly regimen of isoniazid plus rifapentine (3HP) TB preventive treatment in January 2024. The 3HP completion rate is generally ≥80%, varying by delivery strategy and programmatic setting. Before the roll-out, a mixed methods study was conducted to assess whether a family approach involving family member support, SMS reminders, and three health education sessions was acceptable and optimized 3HP uptake and completion.

From leprosy to ground zero: Imagining futures in a world of elimination.

Achieving a target of zero-zero disease, zero disability, and zero discrimination-has become the dominant focus of campaigns to control or eliminate diseases, from HIV/AIDS to malaria to leprosy. Given the historical failure of most eradication programs over the last century, such teleological imaginings of disease-free futures might seem overly utopian. But even if it were possible to eradicate such diseases in their entirety, would this be universally welcomed, even by those most affected by them? In this article, I compare the narratives of national and international bodies concerned with eliminating leprosy, in particular, with the more ambivalent narratives of those affected by the disease in India, the country where the disease is most prevalent.

Transcriptome immune-regulatory differences between leprosy patients and type 1 reaction patients, before onset of symptoms.

Leprosy is a chronic disease of the skin and peripheral nerves caused by Mycobacterium leprae. A major public health and clinical problem are leprosy reactions, which are inflammatory episodes that often contribute to nerve damage and disability. Type I reversal reactions (T1R) can occur after microbiological cure of leprosy and affect up to 50% of leprosy patients.

Vulval Aggressive Angiomyxoma: A Giant Tumour Arising from Hidradenitis Suppurativa Scars.

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is a very rare tumour arising from the vulvovaginal mesenchymal tissue. The literature has not reported its co-existence with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). A 30-year-old female presented with a giant pedunculated mass arising from a scarred and disfigured perineum for 3 years.

Seronegative and Low Seropositive Treatment-Naive Secondary Syphilis in India: A Cross Sectional Study.

The non-treponemal tests like VDRL and RPR hold an important place in the diagnosis of syphilis. In many countries, these tests are used for screening, with positive results being subsequently confirmed by treponemal or specific tests like TPHA or FTA-ABS. Recent observations of low-titer VDRL or RPR positivity (<1:8) or negative results in patients with clinically active syphilis are becoming a cause for concern especially in the backdrop of a resurgence of the disease.

Clinico-Mycological Study of Dermatophytosis among Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients in a Tertiary Level Hospital: A Comparative Study.

Background: Dermatophytosis is a major public health concern in India, especially in recent years, with an alarmingly rising trend, particularly in relation to recurrent and chronic infection. The number of studies examining the relationship between an individual's glycemic status and the development of dermatophytosis, and a comparison of the evolving species trend between diabetic and non-diabetic patients infected with dermatophytes, is limited.

Aims And Objectives: To study and compare the clinical and mycological aspects of dermatophytosis among diabetic and non-diabetic patients and to compare the culture isolates in both groups.

Constant Desbordes Painting of Jean-Louis Alibert Administering the Smallpox Vaccine ("La Vaccine"): An Historic Vaccination or Artistic Imagination?

In 1822, France's Ministry of the Interior, concerned about dropping vaccination rates among the population, commissioned the French artist Constant Joseph Desbordes (1761-1828) to create an artwork that would educate the public about the benefits of the smallpox vaccine. The Painting that resulted is entitled: "La Vaccine" ("The Cowpox Inoculation") and a copy of it is entitled "La Vaccine au Chateau de Liancourt" ("Performing the Vaccination against Smallpox in the Chateau of Liancourt"). The highlight of the painting is its central figure, one of France's most distinguished physicians, Jean-Louis Alibert (1768-1837) performing, in dramatic fashion, the arm to arm method of smallpox vaccination that was common at that time.

Relevance of reporting leprosy related disability at the completion of multi drug therapy: A 5-year retrospective analysis of disability in persons affected by leprosy at ALERT Hospital Ethiopia.

Background: Leprosy is one of the neglected tropical diseases associated with significant morbidity in endemic regions. It causes disability affecting the daily activities and social participation of affected individuals. Understanding the prevalence and trend of leprosy-related disability throughout the world and the accuracy of disability data counted by WHO is crucial in guiding efforts to be made towards the targets set by WHO to be achieved by 2030.

Bedaquiline Monotherapy for Multibacillary Leprosy.

Background: Standard multidrug therapy for leprosy may be associated with severe side effects, which add to the stigma and discrimination that affect persons with the disease. In addition, the threat posed by drug-resistant leprosy shows the need for alternative drug combinations and shorter, safer regimens of multidrug therapy.

Methods: In this open-label, proof-of-concept study conducted in Brazil, we assigned patients with previously untreated multibacillary leprosy to receive bedaquiline monotherapy for 8 weeks.

Lucio's phenomenon in a non-endemic region: A case report.

Leprosy remains a persistent health challenge in endemic regions with cases rising in non-endemic regions such as North America. Patients with leprosy present with a variety of symptoms including limited skin lesions in tuberculoid leprosy to extensive lesions and high bacterial proliferation in lepromatous leprosy. This case report details a 77-year-old Canadian man of South Asian descent with lepromatous leprosy and Lucio's phenomenon in Western Canada.

Borderline Lepromatous Leprosy With Type 1 Reaction: A Challenging Diagnostic Case.

Borderline lepromatous leprosy with Type 1 reaction poses significant diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinical features. Early recognition and differentiation are crucial, especially in endemic regions like Mexico, to ensure prompt, appropriate management and prevent complications. Accurate diagnosis requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating clinical, histopathological, and microbiological data.