Relapse rates and a 10-year follow-up of a 6-week quadruple drug regimen for multibacillary leprosy.
Between 1989 and 1993, 136 multibacillary leprosy patients received a 6-week treatment regimen consisting of daily rifampicin 600 mg, ofloxacin 400 mg, clofazimine 100 mg and a weekly dose of 100 mg minocycline. A previous analysis after a mean follow-up of 4-7 years revealed a relapse rate of 2%, involving six late (after more than 5 years of follow-up) relapses. During the following years, 12 more relapses appeared during years 8-9 of follow-up. A mean follow-up period of 5 years is insufficient to evaluate treatment regimens in multibacillary leprosy. The present regimen cannot be recommended.
Pattyn
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Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationale Straat 155, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium. spattyn@itg.be
Grillone
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D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002991:Clofazimine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage
D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D015242:Ofloxacin; D002991:Clofazimine; D012293:Rifampin