title: DNA-PCR and RT-PCR for the 18-kDa gene of Mycobacterium leprae to assess the efficacy of multi-drug therapy for leprosy.
abstract: DNA-PCR and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for the 18-kDa protein of Mycobacterium leprae were used to examine the efficacy of multi-drug therapy (MDT) in leprosy. MDT was administered for 0-24 months. Fourteen (63.6%) of 22 patients showed positive PCR results after treatment for 12 months and the positive results decreased to 30% after 24 months of MDT. These results did not correlate with the bacterial index (BI) or the IgM antibody titre for the phenolic glycolipid (PGL)-1. One-dimensional densitometric analysis of agarose gels from PCR from the longitudinal study showed a gradual reduction of the 360-bp band after 12-24 months of MDT. RT-PCR for mRNA of the 18-kDa protein successfully tracked bacterial RNA changes in the biopsies and confirmed a decrease in the RNA of M. leprae in patients after MDT for 12 months. Thus, DNA- and RT-PCR for the 18-kDa protein of M. leprae are effective in assessing the efficacy of MDT for leprosy.
authors: Gue-Tae
authors: GT
authors: Chae
authors: Min-Joo
authors: MJ
authors: Kim
authors: Tae-Jin
authors: TJ
authors: Kang
authors: Seong-Beom
authors: SB
authors: Lee
authors: Institute of Hansen's Disease, Department of Pathology, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, *Affiliated Hospital, Korean Leprosy Control Association, Euiwang City, Kyunggi-Do 437-823, †Catholic Skin Clinic, Taegu City 702-200 and ‡Jesus Hospital, Leprosy Mission, Taegu City 704-080, Korea.
authors: Hang-Kye
authors: HK
authors: Shin
authors: Institute of Hansen's Disease, Department of Pathology, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, *Affiliated Hospital, Korean Leprosy Control Association, Euiwang City, Kyunggi-Do 437-823, †Catholic Skin Clinic, Taegu City 702-200 and ‡Jesus Hospital, Leprosy Mission, Taegu City 704-080, Korea.
authors: Jong-Pill
authors: JP
authors: Kim
authors: Institute of Hansen's Disease, Department of Pathology, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, *Affiliated Hospital, Korean Leprosy Control Association, Euiwang City, Kyunggi-Do 437-823, †Catholic Skin Clinic, Taegu City 702-200 and ‡Jesus Hospital, Leprosy Mission, Taegu City 704-080, Korea.
authors: Young-Hoon
authors: YH
authors: Ko
authors: Institute of Hansen's Disease, Department of Pathology, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, *Affiliated Hospital, Korean Leprosy Control Association, Euiwang City, Kyunggi-Do 437-823, †Catholic Skin Clinic, Taegu City 702-200 and ‡Jesus Hospital, Leprosy Mission, Taegu City 704-080, Korea.
authors: Sung-Hwa
authors: SH
authors: Kim
authors: Institute of Hansen's Disease, Department of Pathology, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, *Affiliated Hospital, Korean Leprosy Control Association, Euiwang City, Kyunggi-Do 437-823, †Catholic Skin Clinic, Taegu City 702-200 and ‡Jesus Hospital, Leprosy Mission, Taegu City 704-080, Korea.
authors: Nan-Hee
authors: NH
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001706:Biopsy; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003720:Densitometry; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: C067864:18 kDa protein, Mycobacterium leprae; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C045169:phenolic glycolipid I, Mycobacterium leprae