Prognostic consideration base on study of 38 hanseniasis patients sumetted to Mitsuda tests 23 to 35 years previously

RESUMO

Out of 2775 hanseniasis patients Mitsuda tested by one of the authors from 1933 to 1947, 38 where re-examined in 1970/1971. 28 had been treated regularly, 6 did not receive sulfones. Improvement or disappearance of dermatological lesions occurred in 31 (81,5 por cento), independently of reactivity. All eleven bacteriologically positive out of 19 Mitsuda negative bacteriologically negative, which is partly attributed to sulfones. One treated bacillary negative patient became positive. 28(76,3 por cento) were neurollogically aggravated, independently of reactivity but more evidently among the stronger reactors. As regards classification, all initially tuberculloid, virchovian and dimorphous patients continued in their types or group, but only 7(41,2 por cento) out of the 17 initially indetermined remained so. Four(23,5 por cento) two Mitsuda, two changed to reactional tuberculoid, 6(35,3 por cento), (Mitsuda) changed to the Virchowian type. these developments according to reactivity confirm the pathogenetic theory postulated in 1937 by one of the authors. Mitsuda reactivity remained generally unchanged, rarely increased or decreased. The good prognostic value of the strong Mitsuda test is generally confirmed, but only as regards classification, bacillation nad dermatological lesions, not form the neurological and social viewpoints.