[Systematic search for parasites among leprosy patients in Mali]. / Recherche systématique de parasites chez les lépreux au Mali.

Practice of multidrug therapy in leprosy (combination Dapsone + Rifampicine + Clofazimine) established since 1981, has significantly reduced the incidence of the disease. However, immunosuppression due to treatment of multi-drugs therapy induced adverse reactions with glucocorticoid and the change in host immune response due to the leprosy itself, might increase the risk of parasitic infections. To test this hypothesis, we carried out a case-control study at the "Institut Marchoux" in Bamako. Stool and urine samples from all patients included in the study were examined for parasites identification. In addition, we performed thick and thin blood film to identify malaria infection and skin biopsy (snip) to detect onchocerciasis. A total of 121 cases of leprosy and 219 controls aged 10-84 years old were included in the study from March 1999 to February 2000. Sixty two percent (n = 121) of cases were treated with glucocorticoid. The prevalence of infection due to Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica were higher in cases than in controls (p = 0.02). The prevalence of infection due to hookworms was higher in cases than in controls. There was no difference of the infections to the other intestinal parasites. Three cases of cryptosporidiosis and one case of isosporosis were observed in leprosy group vs none in the control group. There was no significant difference between cases and controls with regard to prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium, Trichomonas vaginalis and Onchocera volvulus. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was 4.9% (6/121) in the leprosy case and 7.8% (17/219) in the control group. In conclusion, despite the corticotherapy and immunosuppression due to leprosy, there was no difference in prevalence of pathogenic parasites. Entomoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica which have significantly higher prevalence among the cases were not pathogen therefore there was no higher risk of severe intestinal parasitosis among the cases of leprosy. Treatment with glycocorticoid in patients with leprosy did not suggest any impact on the prevalence of this parasitic infections. In addition, multidrug therapy did not show any effect on the carriage of Plasmodium falciparum.

Recherche systematique de parasites chez les lepreux au Mali / Systematic search for parasites among patients with leprosy in Mali

Practice of multidrug therapy in leprosy (combination Dapsone + Rifampicine + Clofazimine) established since 1981, has significantly reduced the incidence of the disease. However, immunosuppression due to treatment of multi-drugs therapy induced adverse reactions with glucocorticoid and the change in host immune response due to the leprosy itself, might increase the risk of parasitic infections. To test this hypothesis, we carried out a case-control study at the "Institut Marchoux" in Bamako. Stool and urine samples from all patients included in the study were examined for parasites identification. In addition, we performed thick and thin blood film to identify malaria infection and skin biopsy (snip) to detect onchocerciasis. A total of 121 cases of leprosy and 219 controls aged 10-84 years old were included in the study from March 1999 to February 2000. Sixty two percent (n = 121) of cases were treated with glucocorticoid. The prevalence of infection due to Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica were higher in cases than in controls (p = 0.02). The prevalence of infection due to hookworms was higher in cases than in controls. There was no difference of the infections to the other intestinal parasites. Three cases of cryptosporidiosis and one case of isosporosis were observed in leprosy group vs none in the control group. There was no significant difference between cases and controls with regard to prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium, Trichomonas vaginalis and Onchocera volvulus. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was 4.9% (6/121) in the leprosy case and 7.8% (17/219) in the control group. In conclusion, despite the corticotherapy and immunosuppression due to leprosy, there was no difference in prevalence of pathogenic parasites. Entomoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica which have significantly higher prevalence among the cases were not pathogen therefore there was no higher risk of severe intestinal parasitosis among the cases of leprosy. Treatment with glycocorticoid in patients with leprosy did not suggest any impact on the prevalence of this parasitic infections. In addition, multidrug therapy did not show any effect on the carriage of Plasmodium falciparum.

[Leprosy as a cause of physical disability in rural and urban areas of Mali]. / Place de la lèpre parmi les handicaps physiques en zones rurale et urbaine au Mali.

We performed a cross-sectional study of populations from two areas of Mali, in May and June 1996. The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which leprosy causes physical disability in Mali. One area was rural (Circle of Bougouni), the other urban (Bamako District). We used a cluster sampling method, with 500 households selected for study in each of the two areas. All members of the households randomly selected were included in the study. For all survey sites, the number of households was proportional to the number of inhabitants. The total study population was 8,175, including 172 cases of physical handicap, 76 in Bamako and 96 in Bougouni. The prevalence of physical handicap was 21 per 1,000 inhabitants (25.3 per 1,000 in rural areas and 17.3 per 1,000 in the city). The difference in the prevalence of physical handicap between the two areas was statistically significant (p = 0.01). Ten per cent of the disabilities were caused by leprosy. The most common causes of disability other than leprosy were trauma and poliomyelitis. Leprosy mostly caused disabilities in rural areas. In both areas, leprosy caused more disabilities in men and boys (64% of cases) than in women and girls. The frequency of disabilities caused by leprosy increased with age, whereas the frequency of handicaps with other causes decreased with age. This study shows that leprosy is still a major cause of disability in countries in which it is endemic, such as Mali. Disability prevention measures and physical rehabilitation programs should be incorporated into the national program for the elimination of epilepsy.