A systematic review of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Myanmar.

BACKGROUND: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect most impoverished communities in developing countries, like Myanmar in Southeast Asia. NTDs have been understudied and underreported in Myanmar. METHODS: A systematic review of published and grey literature (1900-2023) on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Myanmar was conducted. The literature search included five international databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Global Health, and Web of Science Core Collection and one national database: the Myanmar Central Biomedical Library (locally published papers and grey literature). The selection criteria included articles with all types of study designs of current or previous infections conducted in humans, that reported NTDs, recognised by WHO, US CDC, and listed in PLoS NTDs. We included melioidosis and rickettsioses which we consider also meet the definition of an NTD. RESULTS: A total of 5941 records were retrieved and screened, of which, 672 (11%) met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Of the included articles, 449 (65%) were published after 2000 and 369 (55%) were from two regions (Yangon and Mandalay) of Myanmar. Of the included articles, 238 (35%) reported bacterial NTDs, 212 (32%) viral NTDs, 153 (23%) helminth NTDs, 25 (4%) protozoal NTDs and 39 (6%) reported more than one aetiology. Based on reported frequency in descending order, the bacterial NTDs were leprosy, Escherichia coli enteritis, salmonellosis, cholera, shigellosis, melioidosis, leptospirosis and rickettsioses; the viral NTDs were dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection; the protozoal NTDs were amoebiasis, giardiasis and leishmaniasis, and the helminth NTDs were ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm disease, filariasis and strongyloidiasis. CONCLUSION: This review summarises NTDs reported in Myanmar over the past 100 years. The findings suggest that most NTDs are likely to be under reported, especially from the majority of the country which is far from academic centres. Research capacity building together with strengthening of laboratory systems would lead to better understanding of the true burden of NTDs in Myanmar. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42018092627.

The long-term impact of the Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program on leprosy incidence: A modelling study.

BACKGROUND: The Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program explored the feasibility and impact of contact tracing and the provision of single dose rifampicin (SDR) to eligible contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. As the impact of the programme is difficult to establish in the short term, we apply mathematical modelling to predict its long-term impact on the leprosy incidence. METHODOLOGY: The individual-based model SIMCOLEP was calibrated and validated to the historic leprosy incidence data in the study areas. For each area, we assessed two scenarios: 1) continuation of existing routine activities as in 2014; and 2) routine activities combined with LPEP starting in 2015. The number of contacts per index patient screened varied from 1 to 36 between areas. Projections were made until 2040. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In all areas, the LPEP program increased the number of detected cases in the first year(s) of the programme as compared to the routine programme, followed by a faster reduction afterwards with increasing benefit over time. LPEP could accelerate the reduction of the leprosy incidence by up to six years as compared to the routine programme. The impact of LPEP varied by area due to differences in the number of contacts per index patient included and differences in leprosy epidemiology and routine control programme. CONCLUSIONS: The LPEP program contributes significantly to the reduction of the leprosy incidence and could potentially accelerate the interruption of transmission. It would be advisable to include contact tracing/screening and SDR in routine leprosy programmes.

The long-term impact of the leprosy post-exposure prophylaxis (LPEP) program on leprosy incidence: a modelling study

The Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program explored the feasibility and impact of contact tracing and the provision of SDR to eligible contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in states or districts of Brazil, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. This study investigated the long-term impact of the LPEP program on the leprosy new case detection rate (NCDR). Our results show that LPEP could reduce the NCDR beyond the impact of the routine leprosy control programme and that many new cases could be prevented. The benefit of LPEP increases gradually over time. LPEP could accelerate the time of reaching predicted NCDR levels of 2040 under routine program by up to six years. Furthermore, we highlighted how the impact varies between countries due to differences in the number of contacts per index patient screened and differences in leprosy epidemiology and national control programme. Generally, including both household contacts and neighbours (> 20 contacts per index patient) would yield the highest impact.

Why person affected by leprosy did not look after their plantar ulcer? Experience from Pakokku zone, Myanmar.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify methods of caring plantar ulcers in leprosy patients and the underlying causes of poor plantar ulcer care during January and February 2008. This was conducted in Pakokku zone as it was one of the "9 selected townships of the Disabilities survey, i.e., Basic Health Staff project 2003/4", which was funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency. After getting consent, all available leprosy cases, i.e., 101 cases with foot disability grade 2 were interviewed with the pre-tested questionnaire. Among 101 cases, 13 cases who took care of their ulcer poorly and 20 who did none of the recommended measures were recruited for in-depth interview (IDI). The subjects were largely old people, males and people with no marriage partner. The majority had earned money by doing sedentary job. Prolongation of ulcers was observed in 78 cases. Most had been suffering from ulcers for years. When asking face-to-face interview, all the recommended care measures were not reported. Among these recommended measures, a large number of respondents reported about soaking measure. However, these reported measures were contradicted to the preventive methods which they disclosed in IDI. Plantar ulcer care seemed to be an individualised practice. The individual ways of performing were related to their view of ulcer, the environment, and occupation, and custom, communication with family and health staff. The findings identified the actual practice of plantar ulcer care in study areas. It is suggested that the current performance of planar ulcer care is inadequate and more attention should be given to achieve the target set by the programme as a recommendation.

[Prevalence of disability among leprosy patients and effectiveness of leprosy reaction services with standard prednisolone treatment at field level in an endemic country--some data from joint leprosy research collaboration in Myanmar].

Prevalence of disability among leprosy patients and effectiveness of standard predonisolone treatment for leprosy reaction at field level in some place of Myanmar are shown in this paper as results of joint leprosy research collaboration. WHO disability grading was measured for all newly registered leprosy patients through 2007 in 5 selected townships of Ayeyarwaddy Division, with the results of G0 = 66.3%, GI = 18.9%, GII = 14.7% (N = 95). The cross-sectional disability survey at selected 9 townships in Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway Division for all registered patients who had completed WHO/MDT done by JICA project in 2003/4 showed G0 = 62.5%, GI = 2.4%, GII = 35.1% (N = 10,528). From these two data, it is supposed that considerable number of patients with G1 at registered time developed worsening of disability from G1 to G2. Proportion of G0 also reduced a little bit in patients who completed WHO/MDT. Early detection and proper treatment of leprosy reaction are one of the main issues of prevention of disability. Effectiveness of leprosy reaction services were evaluated at Mandalay Special Skin Clinic, where WHO fixed regimen of prednisolone were given as routine service. 100 cases were evaluated who developed leprosy reactions from 1st December 2007 to 31st December 2008 and identified severe reaction who needed oral prednisolone treatment. Evaluation criteria of "effective" was defined as "no more signs and symptoms of reactions were present after treatment. And "less effective" was defined as "more than one of signs and symptoms were still remained after treatment". Over all "effective" was 36 (36%) and "less effective" was 64 (64%). It was also found that rates of improvement of nerve functions, either in sensory or in motor, were little after the standard treatment.

Clinical analysis of multibacillary leprosy patients after 1-year fixed World Health Organization recommended multidrug therapy at Yangon General Hospital, Myanmar.

This study included 200 randomly selected multibacillary leprosy cases who had completed 1 year of fixed World Health Organization recommended multidrug therapy (WHO-MDT) without prior dapsone (DDS) monotherapy. The time interval after release from treatment varied from a few months to 8 years. All cases were clinically reviewed in 2006 by comparison with their old clinical records. Reactions, particularly reversal reactions, occurred frequently among patients who had completed MDT within the last 3 years. It was difficult to distinguish relapse cases and late reversal reactions in skin smear-negative multibacillary cases. Based on bacteriological and histological analyses, one patient was confirmed to have relapsed 1 year after release from treatment. The overall relapse rate was 0.5%. No drug resistance mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction or dot blot hybridization. The present study indicates that it is important to follow up patients for several years after completion of MDT in order to detect possible lepra reactions and relapses.

Serological response to chemoprophylaxis in extended contacts in leprosy--a randomized controlled trial.

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.

[JICA Leprosy Control and Basic Health Services Project in Myanmar].

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) implemented a 5-year long bilateral technical cooperation project, "Leprosy Control and Basic Health Services Project" in Myanmar. The project was implemented by National Leprosy Control Program, Department of Health with close technical collaboration of JICA experts mainly from International Medical Center of Japan (IMCJ) and National Sanatoriums of leprosy in Japan. It accelerated to achieve the elimination of leprosy at national level, which was declared in January 2003, and at sub-national level onward. It also developed the appropriate technologies for prevention of disability and prevention of worsening of disability (POD/POWD), which were introduced in 9 townships as a pilot service program. The Government stratified the POD/POWD services as a national program since 2005 by taking up the former pilot area to start with. The project also strengthened the function of referral system of leprosy control (Diagnosis and treatment), POD/POWD and physical rehabilitation. Beside leprosy, the project conducted a series of refresher trainings for primary health care givers, Basic Health Service Staff (BHS), of project areas (48 townships) to improve the services on tuberculosis, Malaria, Leprosy, Trachoma and HIV/AIDS for 3 years (2001-2003), which was evaluated in 2004. It contributed to improve the services at township level hospitals in procurement of audio-visual equipments and in conducting microscope training on leprosy, Malaria and tuberculosis at project areas.

[Leprosy situation in Myanmar before and after multidrug therapy].

We introduced history of leprosy in Myanmar based on the book of Myanmar Academy of Medical Science published entitled "CONQUEST OF SCOURGES IN MYANMAR (Complied and Edited by Ko Ko, Kyaw and U Thaung) at 2002. "Leprosy Elimination Programme in Myanmar (Kyaw Lwin and Kyaw Nyunt Stein)" was appeared at chapter III in it. After dapsone treatment appeared, leprosy control program has started. Health system and service were developed and leprosy control program was also included in them. The integration of the elimination activities into basic health workers, such as midwives and health volunteers, has enabled the participation of a wide range of people in the community. After 1990s, multidrug therapy (MDT) was covered whole area of Myanmar, and task force for leprosy elimination was formed at Sate/Division, District and Township level. Finally Myanmar achieved the elimination of leprosy in January in 2003.

[Leprosy Control and Basic Health Services Project].

Many tropical and subtropical communicable diseases are prevalent in Myanmar still now. Leprosy also is not completely controlled in spite of making exertions by the Government of Myanmar and more than 10,000 new leprosy patients were detected every year. In response to the pressure of World Health Organization (WHO), the government of Myanmar declared to eliminate this disease by the end of 2003, and all vertical staff concerned with leprosy control program concentrate to reach the goal of elimination (Prevalence rate: less than 1.0 per 10,000 population). Leprosy Control and Basic Health Services Project will be carried out in the project sites for 5 years, that is, from April, 2000 to March, 2001. Project purpose that was mentioned in the PDM were to support the leprosy control programme in Myanmar through the strengthening of Basic Health Service system by conducting training activities and other diseases' control programmes such as TB and Measles, by fully utilizing the above training opportunities. The Project started to conduct the main activities from 2001 as follows, 1. BHS training 2. Training of microscopic diagnosis 3. Sewing training as one of social rehabilitations 4. Training of reconstructive surgery 5. Survey on disabilities of leprosy patients, etc.

Leprosy elimination through integrated basic health services in Myanmar: the role of midwives.

Myanmar is one of the top 16 countries identified by WHO as being hyperendemic for leprosy. Multi-drug therapy (MDT) was introduced in 1988 as a vertical programme and gradually integrated into the basic health services (BHS), achieving 100% coverage over the registered cases by 1995. To achieve maximum coverage of and benefit for patients, both leprosy vertical staff and BHS staff were trained to implement MDT whilst performing routine BHS activities. This included a total of 8615 trained midwives who were mobilized for the nationwide leprosy elimination programme (LEP). They worked at village level in various parts of the country and were willing and able to carry out basic tasks in leprosy management, such as the implementation of MDT using blister-calender packs carrying a month's supply of drugs. This study was performed to assess the workload of midwives and their attitude towards LEP. The authors conclude that midwives in Myanmar show a high level of commitment and reliability, which are essential contributing factors to achieve the current goal of leprosy elimination by the year 2000. Along with the present trend of decreasing prevalence rate, leprosy could no longer be considered as a public health problem at national level by the year 2000 in Myanmar. However, because of its long incubation period, new leprosy patients may arise even after the elimination target is achieved, whilst many other patients may become disabled. A community-based sustainable approach for the post-elimination phase, after the year 2000, will be essential and the contribution of the midwives may be of considerable importance.