The relapse rate in MB leprosy patients treated with 2-years of WHO-MDT is not low.
A group of multibacillary patients is clearly at high risk for relapse following 2-yr WHO-MDT. Relapse is largely confined to BL or LL patients with a high BI initially, and occurs long after the discontinuation of therapy. This important group of patients at risk for treatment failure presents several important issues: the need to identify those at risk and the operational requirements needed for their long term follow-up. Also, this group of patients might well benefit from an alternative antimicrobial regimen from the outset, as well as upon relapse.
Gelber
Robert H
RH
Balagon
Victoria F
VF
Cellona
Roland V
RV
D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007918:Leprosy; D015439:Leprosy, Borderline / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae; D010679:Philippines; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014944:World Health Organization
D007917:Leprostatic Agents