The effect of BCG revaccination on all-cause mortality beyond infancy: 30-year follow-up of a population-based, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Trials of BCG vaccination to prevent or reduce severity of COVID-19 are taking place in adults, some of whom have been previously vaccinated, but evidence of the beneficial, non-specific effects of BCG come largely from data on mortality in infants and young children, and from in-vitro and animal studies, after a first BCG vaccination. We assess all-cause mortality following a large BCG revaccination trial in Malawi. METHODS: The Karonga Prevention trial was a population-based, double-blind, randomised controlled in Karonga District, northern Malawi, that enrolled participants between January, 1986, and November, 1989. The trial compared BCG (Glaxo-strain) revaccination versus placebo to prevent tuberculosis and leprosy. 46 889 individuals aged 3 months to 75 years were randomly assigned to receive BCG revaccination (n=23 528) or placebo (n=23 361). Here we report mortality since vaccination as recorded during active follow-up in northern areas of the district in 1991-94, and in a demographic surveillance follow-up in the southern area in 2002-18. 7389 individuals who received BCG (n=3746) or placebo (n=3643) lived in the northern follow-up areas, and 5616 individuals who received BCG (n=2798) or placebo (n=2818) lived in the southern area. Year of death or leaving the area were recorded for those not found. We used survival analysis to estimate all-cause mortality. FINDINGS: Follow-up information was available for 3709 (99·0%) BCG recipients and 3612 (99·1%) placebo recipients in the northern areas, and 2449 (87·5%) BCG recipients and 2413 (85·6%) placebo recipients in the southern area. There was no difference in mortality between the BCG and placebo groups in either area, overall or by age group or sex. In the northern area, there were 129 deaths per 19 694 person-years at risk in the BCG group (6·6 deaths per 1000 person-years at risk [95% CI 5·5-7·8]) versus 133 deaths per 19 111 person-years at risk in the placebo group (7·0 deaths per 1000 person-years at risk [95% CI 5·9-8·2]; HR 0·94 [95% CI 0·74-1·20]; p=0·62). In the southern area, there were 241 deaths per 38 399 person-years at risk in the BCG group (6·3 deaths per 1000 person-years at risk [95% CI 5·5-7·1]) versus 230 deaths per 38 676 person-years at risk in the placebo group (5·9 deaths per 1000 person-years at risk [95% CI 5·2-6·8]; HR 1·06 [95% CI 0·88-1·27]; p=0·54). INTERPRETATION: We found little evidence of any beneficial effect of BCG revaccination on all-cause mortality. The high proportion of deaths attributable to non-infectious causes beyond infancy, and the long time interval since BCG for most deaths, might obscure any benefits. FUNDING: British Leprosy Relief Association (LEPRA); Wellcome Trust.

Temporal trends and spatial distribution of leprosy-related mortality in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, 2000-2015. / Tendência temporal e distribuição espacial da mortalidade relacionada à hanseníase no estado do Tocantins, 2000-2015.

Objective to describe temporal trends and spatial distribution patterns of leprosy-related deaths in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, 2000-2015. Methods this study was based on Mortality Information System (SIM) data; mortality coefficient temporal trend analysis was performed using joinpoint regression and descriptive spatial analysis, taking the state's 139 municipalities as geographic units of analysis. Results 201 leprosy-related deaths were identified in Tocantins; average mortality coefficient was 0.7 deaths/100,000 inhabitants; mortality tended to increase significantly (5.4% Annual Percentage Change - 95% CI 2.0; 8.9); the average annual crude mortality coefficient ranged from 0.00 to 6.83 deaths/100,000 inhabitants, while the smoothed indicator ranged from 0.00 to 2.42 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. Conclusion leprosy mortality showed a rising trend and heterogeneous spatial distribution in Tocantins, with the need to strengthen leprosy surveillance and control measures.

Mortalidad por lepra y política sanitaria. Argentina, 1980 a 2014 / Mortality from leprosy and health policy. Argentina, 1980 to 2014

Resumen Introducción: La lepra es una enfermedad milenaria y socialmente estigmatizadora, cuyo perfil de mortalidad en la región de las Américas cambió recién a partir de 1981 con la introducción de la poliquimioterapia. Como parte de la región, Argentina también ha sido parte de ese proceso, con sus particularidades económico-sociales y políticas. Este trabajo analiza la mortalidad producida por la lepra en Argentina en los últimos 35 años y su relación con el contexto sanitario de este país. Metodología: se trata de un trabajo de tipo cuantitativo, transversal y descriptivo, con perspectiva sociodemográfica. Se calculan tasas de mortalidad específicas por sexo, edad y lugar de residencia para Argentina entre 1980 y 2014, a partir de datos oficiales obtenidos de organismos nacionales y de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Resultados: se observa una disminución de la mortalidad por lepra en el país, de aproximadamente un 79 % en el período estudiado, con variaciones de su intensidad que concuerdan con acciones de salud pública aplicadas. Esta mortalidad es mayor en hombres, aumenta a partir de los 45 años de edad y las provincias más afectadas son las del norte del país. Conclusiones: las políticas públicas en materia de salud destinadas a la disminución de la mortalidad por lepra han sido eficaces a corto plazo, pero la falta de mantenimiento de las mismas está produciendo un resurgimiento de esta causa de muerte.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Leprosy is an old and socially stigmatizing disease, whose mortality profile in the region of the Americas changed only since 1981 with the introduction of polychemotherapy. As part of the region, Argentina has also been part of that process, with its economic-social and political particularities. This paper analyzes the mortality caused by leprosy in Argentina in the last 35 years, and its relationship with the health context of this country. Methodology: This is a quantitative, transversal and descriptive work, with a socio-demographic perspective. Specific mortality rates are calculated by sex, age and place of residence, for Argentina between 1980 and 2014, based on official data obtained from national organizations and the Pan American Health Organization. Results: There is a decrease in leprosy mortality in the country, approximately 79% in the period studied, with variations in its intensity that are consistent with public health actions applied. This mortality is higher in men, increases from 45 years of age and the most affected provinces are those in the north of the country. Conclusions: Public health policies aimed at reducing leprosy mortality have been effective in the short term, but the lack of maintenance is causing a resurgence of this cause of death.

Causes of Death among Persons Affected by Leprosy in Korea, 2010-2013.

In addition to the complications of leprosy, people affected by leprosy (PALs) can suffer from chronic diseases. We evaluated the recent pattern of deaths among Korean PALs and compared it with that in the general population. We analyzed the death certificate data of 1,359 PALs from 2010 through 2013. The all-cause and cause-specific standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and standardized mortality with 95% CI were calculated. Malignancy had the highest standardized mortality, with 130.9 deaths per 100,000 persons, followed by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs; 85.5 deaths) and respiratory diseases (38.2 deaths). Of malignancies, liver cancer caused the greatest number of cancer deaths (40.0 deaths). The all-cause mortality of PALs was significantly lower than that in the general population, corresponding to an SMR of 0.84 (95% CI 0.79-0.88). Deaths from malignancy and CVDs were significantly lower, corresponding to SMRs (95% CIs) of 0.88 (0.79-0.98) and 0.75 (0.67-0.84), respectively. The death rates for lung and stomach cancers were lower, whereas mortality due to liver cancer was higher, with an SMR of 1.79 (95% CI 1.43-2.22). Except for liver cancer and infection, the causes of mortality of PALs tend to be lower than that in the general population. The most common underlying cause of death in PALs was stroke, followed by ischemic heart disease, liver cancer, and pneumonia.

Tendência temporal e distribuição espacial da mortalidade relacionada à hanseníase no estado do Tocantins, 2000-2015 / Las tendencias temporales y la distribución espacial de la mortalidad relacionada con la lepra en el estado de Tocantins, Brasil, 2000-2015 / Temporal trends and spatial distribution of leprosy-related mortality in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, 2000-2015

Objetivo: relatar descrever as tendências temporais e padrões de distribuição espacial dos óbitos relacionados à hanseníase no estado do Tocantins, Brasil, 2000-2015. Métodos: estudo baseado em dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM); realizou-se análise de tendência temporal dos coeficientes de mortalidade pela regressão joinpoint e análise espacial descritiva utilizando-se os 139 municípios do estado como unidades geográficas de análise. Resultados: foram identificados 201 óbitos relacionados à hanseníase no Tocantins; o coeficiente médio de mortalidade foi de 0,7 óbitos/100 mil habitantes; a mortalidade apresentou tendência de aumento significativo (annual percentual change (APC) de 5,4% - IC95% 2,0;8,9); o coeficiente de mortalidade bruto médio anual variou de 0,00 a 6,83 óbitos/100 mil hab., enquanto o indicador suavizado variou de 0,00 a 2,42 óbitos/100 mil hab. Conclusão: a mortalidade por hanseníase apresentou tendência de aumento e distribuição espacial heterogênea no Tocantins, com a necessidade de fortalecimento das medidas de vigilância e controle da doença.

Objetivo: describir las tendencias temporales y los patrones de distribución espacial de las muertes relacionadas con la lepra en el estado de Tocantins, Brasil, 2000-2015. Métodos: estudio basado en datos del Sistema de Información de Mortalidad (SIM); análisis de la tendencia temporal de los coeficientes de mortalidad mediante la regresión de los puntos de inflexión y el análisis espacial descriptivo utilizando las 139 municipalidades del estado como unidades geográficas de análisis. Resultados: se identificaron 201 muertes relacionadas con la lepra en Tocantins; el coeficiente de mortalidad promedio fue de 0.7 muertes/100 mil habitantes; la mortalidad tendió a aumentar significativamente (Cambio porcentual anual de 5.4% - IC 95% 2.0; 8.9); el coeficiente de mortalidad bruto anual promedio varió de 0.00 a 6.83 muertes/100 mil habitantes, mientras que el indicador suavizado varió de 0.00 a 2.42 muertes/100 mil habitantes. Conclusión: la mortalidad por lepra mostró una tendencia de aumento y una distribución espacial heterogénea y la necesidad de fortalecer las medidas de control de la enfermedad.

Objective: to describe temporal trends and spatial distribution patterns of leprosy-related deaths in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, 2000-2015. Methods: this study was based on Mortality Information System (SIM) data; mortality coefficient temporal trend analysis was performed using joinpoint regression and descriptive spatial analysis, taking the state's 139 municipalities as geographic units of analysis. Results: 201 leprosy-related deaths were identified in Tocantins; average mortality coefficient was 0.7 deaths/100,000 inhabitants; mortality tended to increase significantly (5.4% Annual Percentage Change - 95% CI 2.0; 8.9); the average annual crude mortality coefficient ranged from 0.00 to 6.83 deaths/100,000 inhabitants, while the smoothed indicator ranged from 0.00 to 2.42 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. Conclusion: leprosy mortality showed a rising trend and heterogeneous spatial distribution in Tocantins, with the need to strengthen leprosy surveillance and control measures.

Death and Survival of Patients with Hansen's Disease in Colonial Korea.

The purpose of this research is to describe how Hansen's disease patients experienced the modern system of control of Hansen's disease introduced by Japan, and the inimical attitude of society against them in colonial Korea. The study also seeks to reveal the development of the system to eliminate Hansen's disease patients from their home and community to larger society and leprosarium in this era. Sorokdo Charity hospital (SCH), a hospital for Hansen's disease patients, was built in 1916, and vagrant Hansen's disease patients began to be isolated in this hospital beginning in 1917 by the Japanese Government-General of Korea (JGGK). Once the police detained and sent vagrant Hansen's disease patients to SCH, stigma and discrimination against them strengthened in Korean society. Because of strong stigma and discrimination in Korean society, Hansen's disease patients suffered from daily threats of death. First, their family members were not only afraid of the contagiousness of Hansen's disease but also the stigma and discrimination against themselves by community members. If a family had a Hansen's disease patient, the rest of community members would discriminate against the entire family. Furthermore, because Hansen's disease patients were excluded from any economic livelihood such as getting a job, the existence of the patients was a big burden for their families. Therefore, many patients left their homes and began their vagrancy. The patients who could not leave their homes committed suicide or were killed by their family members. The victims of such deaths were usually women, who were at the lower position in the family hierarchy. In the strong Confucian society in Korea, more female patients were killed by themselves than male patients. Moreover, all of patients victims in the murder were women. This shows that the stigma and discrimination against Hansen's disease patients within their families were stronger against women than men. Strong stigma and discrimination made the patients rely on superstition such as cannibalism. Patients believed that there were not any effective medicine. There were a few reports of patients who were cured, and many were treated with chaulmoogra oil in the modern Hansen's disease hospitals. Eating human flesh was known as a folk remedy for Hansen's disease. As such, patients began to kill healthy people, usually children, to eat their flesh. Increased stigma led to increased victims. Hansen's disease patients who left their homes faced many threats during their vagrancy. For survival, they established their own organizations in the late 1920's. The patients who were rejected to be hospitalized in the Western Hansen's disease hospital at Busan, Daegu, and Yeosu organized self-help organizations. The purpose of these organizations was first to secure the medicine supply of chaulmoogra oil. However, as stigma and discrimination strengthened, these organizations formed by Hansen's disease patients demanded the Japanese Government-General of Korea to send and segregate them on Sorok island. They did not know the situation of the inside of this island because news media described it as a haven for patients, and very few patients were discharged from this island to tell the truth. On this island, several hundreds of patients were killed by compulsory heavy labor, starvation, and violence. They were not treated as patients, but as something to be eliminated. Under strong suppression on this island, the patients resisted first by escaping this island. However, in 1937, some patients tried to kill a Korean staff but failed. Attempted murderers were all put in the jail, also located on this island. In 1941, a patient murdered another patient who had harassed other patients, and in 1942, Chunsang Lee, a patient, killed the director of Sorok island. These instances show that there was a system to eliminate Hansen's disease patients in colonial Korea.

The effect of leprotic infection on the risk of death in medieval rural Denmark.

INTRODUCTION: Paleopathological studies of leprosy in Danish skeletal collections show that many individuals suffered from this stigmatized disease during the Middle Ages. This study examines the risk of death associated with leprotic infection in individuals from the Danish rural cemetery of Øm Kloster (AD 1172-1536). Specifically, we modeled the influence of leprotic infection on age-specific mortality accounting also for sex and social status (lay person / monastic). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 311 adult individuals from the Øm Kloster skeletal collection housed at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark (ADBOU). We modeled morbidity and mortality using a three-state illness-death model with the following parameterizations for the three transition hazards: (1) nonlesioned to lesioned: constant; (2) nonlesioned to dead: Gompertz-Makeham; and (3) lesioned to dead: Gompertz-Makeham, directly proportional to the hazard of the well to dead transition. RESULTS: The mortality hazard of lesioned individuals exceeded that of nonlesioned individuals by a factor of 1.4 (40%) across all individuals, 1.7 for females, 1.0 for males, 1.3 for lay persons, and 1.7 for monastics. Overall, 15% of the sample died with skeletal manifestations of leprosy, though it is likely that a higher percentage of the population carried the bacterium. DISCUSSION: This study improves understanding of past health and population dynamics focusing on a chronic infectious disease. The methods employed could informatively be applied to larger analyses of community health from skeletal collections by incorporating more than one disease into the multistate model and inferring individual frailty using various skeletal markers.

Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde Hanseníase

A Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde Hanseníase, criada em 2007 por iniciativa do Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, em cooperação com a BIREME/OPAS/OMS e com o respaldo das instituições nacionais e internacionais com maior expertise na área, é uma BVS temática cujo objetivo é reunir, organizar e disseminar a produção científica produzida, colaborando com ações no desenvolvimento de estudos e pesquisa que contribuam para a preservação da história, prevenção e tratamento da Hanseníase

Mortalidade

Apresenta uma reunião de documentos que abordam o fator mortalidade relacionada a doença da hanseníase.

Leprosy-related mortality in Brazil: a neglected condition of a neglected disease.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is a public health problem and a neglected condition of morbidity and mortality in several countries of the world. We analysed time trends and spatiotemporal patterns of leprosy-related mortality in Brazil. METHODS: We performed a nationwide population-based study using secondary mortality data. We included all deaths that occurred in Brazil between 2000 and 2011, in which leprosy was mentioned in any field of death certificates. RESULTS: Leprosy was identified in 7732/12 491 280 deaths (0.1%). Average annual age-adjusted mortality rate was 0.43 deaths/100 000 inhabitants (95% CI 0.40-0.46). The burden of leprosy deaths was higher among males, elderly, black race/colour and in leprosy-endemic regions. Lepromatous leprosy was the most common clinical form mentioned. Mortality rates showed a significant nationwide decrease over the period (annual percent change [APC]: -2.8%; 95% CI -4.2 to -2.4). We observed decreasing mortality rates in the South, Southeast and Central-West regions, while the rates remained stable in North and Northeast regions. Spatial and spatiotemporal high-risk clusters for leprosy-related deaths were distributed mainly in highly endemic and socio-economically deprived regions. CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy is a neglected cause of death in Brazil since the disease is preventable, and a cost-effective treatment is available. Sustainable control measures should include appropriate management and systematic monitoring of leprosy-related complications, such as severe leprosy reactions and adverse effects to multidrug therapy.

[Deaths with leprosy as the underlying cause recorded in Brazil: use of data base linkage to enhance information]. / Óbitos registrados com causa básica hanseníase no Brasil: uso do relacionamento de bases de dados para melhoria da informação.

This study sought to describe the characteristics of deaths with leprosy as the underlying cause recorded in the Mortality Information System (SIM) and compare these characteristics with the groups of cases where the cause of death was reported, or failed to be reported, in the National Case Registration Database (Sinan). Deaths with leprosy as the underlying cause occurring in Brazil in the 2004-2009 period, and cases of leprosy from 1975 to 2010 were included. The probabilistic bases of SIM and Sinan were compared. Of the 1,463 deaths from leprosy recorded in SIM, 44.2% were not recorded in Sinan. Of the total number of deaths, the majority were men (72.5%), aged 60 or older (56.6%), occurring in hospitals (65.3%) and with due care (45.8%). Of the 820 deaths identified in Sinan, 92% were patients with multibacillary disease, 45.2% were discharged as cured by Sinan and 38.9% died. Deaths due to leprosy were found on SIM that were not notified to Sinan. The data base linkage enabled identification of ancillary records and inconsistencies between the systems.

Óbitos registrados com causa básica hanseníase no Brasil: uso do relacionamento de bases de dados para melhoria da informação / Deaths with leprosy as the underlying cause recorded in Brazil: use of data base linkage to enhance information

O presente estudo objetivou descrever as características dos óbitos que tiveram como causa básica a hanseníase, registrados no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM), e comparar estas características entre os grupos de óbitos cujos casos foram notificados e não notificados no Sistema de Informação sobre Agravos de Notificação (Sinan). Foram incluídos os óbitos com causa básica hanseníase, ocorridos no Brasil no período 2004-2009, e os casos registrados de hanseníase entre 1975-2010. Realizou-se o relacionamento probabilístico das bases do SIM e Sinan. Dos 1.463 óbitos por hanseníase registrados no SIM, 44,2% não foram encontrados no Sinan. Do total dos óbitos, a maioria foi de homens (72,5%), com 60 ou mais anos de idade (56,6%), ocorridos em hospitais (65,3%) e com assistência (45,8%). Dos 820 óbitos identificados no Sinan, 92% foram multibacilares, 45,2% tinham alta por cura no Sinan e 38,9%, óbito. Foram encontrados óbitos por hanseníase que estão registrados no SIM, mas não foram notificados no Sinan. O relacionamento das bases permitiu identificação de subregistros e inconsistências entre os sistemas.

This study sought to describe the characteristics of deaths with leprosy as the underlying cause recorded in the Mortality Information System (SIM) and compare these characteristics with the groups of cases where the cause of death was reported, or failed to be reported, in the National Case Registration Database (Sinan). Deaths with leprosy as the underlying cause occurring in Brazil in the 2004-2009 period, and cases of leprosy from 1975 to 2010 were included. The probabilistic bases of SIM and Sinan were compared. Of the 1,463 deaths from leprosy recorded in SIM, 44.2% were not recorded in Sinan. Of the total number of deaths, the majority were men (72.5%), aged 60 or older (56.6%), occurring in hospitals (65.3%) and with due care (45.8%). Of the 820 deaths identified in Sinan, 92% were patients with multibacillary disease, 45.2% were discharged as cured by Sinan and 38.9% died. Deaths due to leprosy were found on SIM that were not notified to Sinan. The data base linkage enabled identification of ancillary records and inconsistencies between the systems.

Clinical aspects of leprosy.

Leprosy is a chronic, infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It mainly affects the peripheral nervous system, skin, and certain other tissues such as the reticulo-endothelial system, bones and joints, mucous membranes, eyes, testes, muscles, and adrenals. Leprosy clinical presentation varies from few to widespread lesions. In most patients, early leprosy presents as macular and hypopigmented lesions. This initial clinical presentation is known as indeterminate leprosy and occurs in individuals who have not developed cell-mediated immunity against M. leprae yet. The number of lesions depends on the genetically determined cellular immunity of the patient. Individuals presenting a vigorous cellular immune response and limited humoral immune responses to M. leprae, usually present few skin lesions. Without treatment, those patients tend to evolve into the polar tuberculoid or borderline tuberculoid form of leprosy. Due to the inability to mount an effective cellular-mediated response to M. leprae and the consequent hematogenous spread of the bacilli, some patients may present with numerous and symmetrically distributed hypochromic lesions. Without treatment these patients evolve to a nonresistant form of leprosy, polar lepromatous.

Clinical aspects of leprosy

Leprosy is a chronic, infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It mainly affects the peripheral nervous system, skin, and certain other tissues such as the reticulo-endothelial system, bones and joints, mucous membranes, eyes, testes, muscles, and adrenals. Leprosy clinical presentation varies from few to widespread lesions. In most patients, early leprosy presents as macular and hypopigmented lesions. This initial clinical presentation is known as indeterminate leprosy and occurs in individuals who have not developed cell-mediated immunity against M leprae yet. The number of lesions depends on the genetically determined cellular immunity of the patient. Individuals presenting a vigorous cellular immune response and limited humoral immune responses to M leprae, usually present few skin lesions. Without treatment, those patients tend to evolve into the polar tuberculoid or borderline tuberculoid form of leprosy. Due to the inability to mount an effective cellular-mediated response to M leprae and the consequent hematogenous spread of the bacilli, some patients may present with numerous and symmetrically distributed hypochromic lesions. Without treatment these patients evolve to a nonresistant form of leprosy, polar lepromatous.

Investigação epidemiológica dos óbitos notificados tendo como causa básica a hanseníase, ocorridos em Fortaleza, Ceará, 2006-2011 / Epidemiological investigation of reported deaths having as the primary cause of leprosy occured in Fortaleza, Ceará, 2006-2011

Objetivo: descrever as características e os resultados da investigação dos óbitos registrados tendo como causa básica a hanseníase, ocorridos em hospitais selecionados do município de Fortaleza-CE, Brasil. Métodos: estudo descritivo, do tipo de série de casos, em que foram investigados óbitos registrados no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) no período 2006-2011; a investigação foi conduzida por equipe multidisciplinar treinada, utilizando instrumento padronizado, e consulta a prontuários hospitalares e ambulatoriais. Resultados: dos 19 óbitos investigados, confirmou-se que 11 ocorreram por complicações da hanseníase, e destes, a maioria foi de homens (n=9) e indivíduos de cor da pele ou raça preta/parda (n=10); entre os óbitos confirmados por hanseníase, o motivo da internação mais frequente foi reação hansênica (n=7). Conclusão: a investigação confirmou a ocorrência de óbitos causados por complicações da hanseníase, assim como a existência de óbitos por outras causas embora registrados como sendo por hanseníase.

Objective: to describe the characteristics of deaths occurring in selected hospitals in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, having leprosy recorded as the underlying cause. Methods: this is a descriptive case series study of deaths recorded on the Mortality Information System (SIM) between 2006-2011. The study was conducted by a trained multidisciplinary team using a standardized instrument to examine inpatient and outpatient medical records. Results: 11 of the 19 deaths investigated were confirmed to have occurred owing to leprosy complications. The majority of these were males (n=9) and people with black / brown skin color or race (n=10). The most frequent reason for their hospitalization was leprosy reaction (n=8). Conclusion: the study confirmed the number of deaths caused by leprosy complications, as well as the existence of deaths from other causes recorded as being due to leprosy.

Gender differential on characteristics and outcome of leprosy patients admitted to a long-term care rural hospital in South-Eastern Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: In previous studies, women are less aware of causation and symptoms of leprosy and have less access to health care coverage than men, thus contributing to their delay in seeking for treatment. We assess the gender differences in leprosy cases admitted to a rural referral hospital in Ethiopia for 7 and a half years. METHODS: Retrospective data of the leprosy patients admitted to referral hospital were collected using leprosy admission registry books from September 2002 to January 2010. Variables were entered in an Excel 97 database. RESULTS: During the period of study, 839 patients with leprosy were admitted; 541 (64.5%) were male, and 298 (35.6%) female. Fifteen per cent of female patients, and 7.3% of male patients were paucibacillary leprosy cases while 84.8% of female patients and 92.7% of males were multibacillary leprosy cases (p<0.001). Female leprosy patients were younger than male ones (median: 36 versus 44 years) (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-0.98; p<0.001), admission for cardiovascular diseases (OR: 7.6, 95% CI: 1.9-29.3; p=0.004), admission for gastroenteritis (OR: 14.0; 95% CI: 1.7-117; p=0.02), admission from out patients clinic (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.1-4.01; p=0.02), and mortality as final outcome (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2-8.0; p=0.02) were independently associated with female gender. CONCLUSIONS: Female patients with leprosy admitted to hospital were younger, had a different profile of admission and a higher mortality rate than male ones.

The effect of systemic corticosteroid therapy on the expression of toll-like receptor 2 and toll-like receptor 4 in the cutaneous lesions of leprosy Type 1 reactions.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is complicated by immunological reactions which can occur before, during and after successful completion of multidrug therapy. Genetic studies have suggested that polymorphisms in toll-like receptors (TLRs) may affect the susceptibility of an individual with leprosy to developing Type 1 reactions. OBJECTIVES: To examine the gene and protein expression of TLRs in the cutaneous lesions of leprosy Type 1 reactions at the onset of reaction and during systemic corticosteroid therapy. METHODS: Patients who were being treated for leprosy type 1 reactions with corticosteroids as part of a randomized controlled trial of corticosteroid treatment had skin biopsies performed before, during and at the end of treatment. The gene and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were measured. RESULTS: We have demonstrated that the gene hARP-P0 is a suitable control gene for TLR gene expression studies in this population. The gene and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were both reduced significantly during corticosteroid treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in vivo in individuals experiencing leprosy Type 1 reactions. The data support the possibility of an important role for TLR2 and TLR4 in the pathogenesis of this important complication of leprosy.