Protective effect of the combination BCG vaccination and rifampicin prophylaxis in leprosy prevention.
BCG vaccination and rifampicin chemoprophylaxis are both strategies for leprosy prevention. While the combined effect is unknown, the combination may give the desired push to halt leprosy transmission. Secondary analysis was done on results from a single centre, double blind, cluster randomized, and placebo-controlled trial. Individually, BCG (given at infancy) and rifampicin showed to protect against leprosy (57% [95% CI: 24-75%] and 58% [95% CI: 30-74%], respectively). The combined strategies showed a protective effect of 80% (95% CI: 50-92%). This is the first time that the additive effect of BCG and rifampicin are shown; the combined strategies can possibly lower leprosy incidence.
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute) Biomedical Research, Meibergdreef 39, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ron P
RP
Schuring
Jan Hendrik
JH
Richardus
David
D
Pahan
Linda
L
Oskam
D000328:Adult; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D018890:Chemoprevention; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D012293:Rifampin