title: Serological response to chemoprophylaxis in extended contacts in leprosy--a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Chemoprophylaxis was carried out on high risk group of extended contacts of new leprosy cases in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyarwaddy Division, Myanmar and serological response was followed up for two years. In September 2003, blood samples were collected from 829 contacts after getting informed consent and sera were tested for immunoglobulin M antibodies using NTP-BSA ELISA test. These 300 seropositives were randomized to treated and non-treated groups. In each group 102 each were enrolled in adults and 48 each in children. A single dose of ROM (rifampicin, ofloxacin and minocycline) and RMP (rifampicin) by body weight was administered to treated group of above 15 years and those below 15 years respectively. The vitamins were administered to non-treated group. The blood samples of all contacts were collected again in September 2004 and September 2005 and ELISA was carried out on paired samples on one plate. The mean optical density (OD) titers before vs after chemoprophylaxis were 0.24 vs 0.10 and 0.20 vs 0.09 in treated and non-treated group respectively in adults and 0.25 vs 0.11 and 0.22 vs 0.11 respectively in children after one year. These were 0.24 vs 0.17 and 0.20 vs 0.19 respectively in adults and 0.25 vs 0.19 and 0.22 vs 0.20 respectively in children after two years. The difference of mean antibody titers before and after chemoprophylaxis in treated group was significantly reduced compared to non-treated group in adults but was not significant in children. The findings show that there is a significant role of chemoprophylaxis on serological response in the form of decreasing antibody titer among the adult group of extended contacts.
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology Research Division, Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar), Yangon. knopk@yangon.net.mm
authors.forename: Khin Nwe
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Oo
authors.forename: Nwe Nwe
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Tin Tin
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Khin Thet
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Wai
authors.forename: Kyaw
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Myint
authors.forename: Mg Mg
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gyi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008911:Minocycline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002052:Myanmar / Q000453:epidemiology; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012306:Risk; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D015242:Ofloxacin; D008911:Minocycline; D012293:Rifampin