Relapses in paucibacillary patients after treatment with three short-term regimens containing rifampin

Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis. 1989 Jun;57(2):458-64.

Abstract

Three multidrug regimens all containing rifampin and dapsone have been tried for the treatment of 278 cases of paucibacillary leprosy. Regimen I was the one recommended by the WHO Study Group. Regimen II was the same as Regimen I with depsone alone continued for a further 6 months. Regimen III was the same as Regimen II but rifampin was given daily for the first 7 days. The patients were comparable with regard to disease classification, lepromin status, bacteriological status, and number of lesions. As reported earlier, the disease inactivity rates by 1 year of treatment were much greater with Regimens II and III than with Regimen I (94% and 97% vs 76%). Early reaction was seen in 6% of those in Regimen III and in none in Regimens I and II. Late reaction was observed in 9% of those in Regimen I and none in Regimens II and III. During 3 1/2 years of follow up, 13% of the cases in Regimen I, 1% in Regimen II, and 2% in Regimen III relapsed. Since the patients in the three regimens were otherwise comparable, it is concluded that the high inactivity rate, low relapse rate (1%-2%), and no early or late reaction as observed in Regimen II patients were because of adequate treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dapsone / administration & dosage
  • Dapsone / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lepromin
  • Leprosy / drug therapy*
  • Leprosy / microbiology
  • Leprosy / pathology
  • Male
  • Recurrence
  • Rifampin / administration & dosage
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Lepromin
  • Dapsone
  • Rifampin