Preliminary experience with rifampicin and isoprodian in combination in leprosy treatment

Abstract

Sixty seven patients with lepromatous leprosy were given combined treatment with rifampicin and Isoprodian at Balaka Leprosy Hospital in Malawi, and experience during the first 15 mth is described. Administration was orally according to body weight. Several criteria of control were applied. In addition to routine skin smears, serial biopsies were taken simultaneously, homogenized, the bacilli counted and the bacillary load of the skin calculated per mg of tissue. Clinical improvement from moderate to dramatic occurred in all patients in a matter of months. The fail of the BI was on average 1 unit on Ridley's scale, the homogenate counts indicate a bacilli reduction of more than 90% after 1 yr of treatment. A comparison of the simultaneously taken skin smears and biopsy counts is undertaken. The frequency of reactional states under combined therapy and the relationship to secondary parasitic infectious diseases is describkd. Side effects were mostly transitory, in 5 cases the combination tablet Isoprodian was discontinued. Some patients showed slightly elevated liver enzymes. However, more biochemical investigation is needed with regard to liver and kidney function under this therapy.