Monday, June 30, 2008

Leprosy and leishmaniasis

Leprosy Mailing List, June 30th, 2008

Ref.: Leprosy and leishmaniasis
From: Bryceson A., London, UK


Dear Salvatore,

I refer to Dr Villarreal’s messages. It is an interesting case. Ross Barnetson and I published eight cases of leprosy plus leishmaniasis from Ethiopia in 1978, so the coincidence might not be so rare in Bolivia, despite the lack of reported cases.

Barnetson RS, Bryceson AD. Cutaneous leishmaniasis and leprosy. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1978;72:160-163.

Best wishes
Anthony

Chairman Sasakawa appeals Chinese olympic ban of people affected by leprosy

Leprosy Mailing List, June 30th, 2008

Ref.: Chairman Sasakawa appeals Chinese olympic ban of people affected by leprosy
From: Soutar D., London, UK


Dear Salvatore,

I don’t know if you will have time to post this link before the list close for a month. It relates to the apparent Chinese law banning people affected by leprosy from entering the country during the Olympics.
http://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/eng/20080623ChineseOlypmicsLeprosy.html

Best regards,

Douglas Soutar

Mr Douglas Soutar General Secretary International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations doug.soutar@ilep.org.uk www.ilep.org.uk Tel: + 44 (0)20 7602 6925

LML closes from 30 June to 29 July 2008

Leprosy Mailing List, June 29th, 2008

Ref.: LML closes from 30 June to 29 July 2008
From: Noto S., Genoa, Italy


Dear All,

The LML closes from 30 June to 29 July 2008. I wish to thank all of you for your attention and contributions.

Best regards,

S. Noto

Anandaban Hospital and Mycobacterial Research Laboratory (MRL)

Leprosy Mailing List, June 29th, 2008

Ref.: Anandaban Hospital and Mycobacterial Research Laboratory (MRL)
From: Hagge D. A., Kathmandu, Nepal


Dear Dr. Noto,

I would be glad to provide some general information about our laboratory and hospital.

Anandaban Hospital and Mycobacterial Research Laboratory (MRL) lie 16km south of Kathmandu, Nepal. MRL is uniquely equipped within Nepal with facilities and trained staff near an international airport to allow for partnership in technical and international collaborations. The nonprofit mission hospital is the largest leprosy specific hospital in Nepal and is operated by Leprosy Mission Nepal. It serves as the referral center for the central region, operates weekly clinics in Kathmandu and is involved in providing mobile leprosy camp/clinics, community projects and training onsite and in the field.

MRL projects have included early detection methods (skin antigen, T cell and lateral flow test trials); transmission studies (VNTR; PCR); drug resistance monitoring (Shepard model mouse foot pad colony); treatment of reactions (methylprednisone study); and biomarkers of reactions. There are also 50 years of patient records onsite for analysis. National collaborations facilitate extended control and patient sample collection, technical training and leprosy education within Nepal. Clinical and social research is also performed within the hospital.

When Dr. Murdo Macdonald recently returned to Scotland, I joined as head of the laboratory. Previously, I had performed my doctoral training with Diana L. Williams, PhD (Molecular Biology) and postdoctoral training with Linda B. Adams, PhD (Immunology) of the National Hansen’s Disease Program located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.

Recent MRL publications:

Misch EA, Macdonald M, Ranjit C, Sapkota BR, Wells RD, Siddiqui MR, Kaplan G, Hawn TR.
Human TLR1 Deficiency Is Associated with Impaired Mycobacterial Signaling and Protection from Leprosy Reversal Reaction.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2008 May 7;2(5):e231.
PMID: 18461142 [PubMed - in process]

Sapkota BR, Ranjit C, Neupane KD, Macdonald M.
Development and evaluation of a novel multiple-primer PCR amplification refractory mutation system for the rapid detection of mutations conferring rifampicin resistance in codon 425 of the rpoB gene of Mycobacterium leprae.
J Med Microbiol. 2008 Feb;57(Pt 2):179-84.
PMID: 18201983 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Sapkota BR, Ranjit C, Macdonald M.
Rapid differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae from sputum by polymerase chain reaction.
Nepal Med Coll J. 2007 Mar;9(1):12-6.
PMID: 17593671 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Sapkota BR, Ranjit C, Macdonald M.
Reverse line probe assay for the rapid detection of rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium leprae.
Nepal Med Coll J. 2006 Jun;8(2):122-7.
PMID: 17017404

Haslett PA, Roche P, Butlin CR, Macdonald M, Shrestha N, Manandhar R, Lemaster J, Hawksworth R, Shah M, Lubinsky AS, Albert M, Worley J, Kaplan G.
Effective treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum with thalidomide is associated with immune stimulation.
J Infect Dis. 2005 Dec 15;192(12):2045-53. Epub 2005 Nov 10.
PMID: 16288366 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Deanna A. Hagge, PhD
Head of Mycobacterial Research Laboratories
Anandaban Hospital
PO Box 151
Kathmandu, Nepal
977-1-429-0545
977-1-429-0538 (fax)
deannah@tlmnepal.org
www.tlmnepal.org

Leprosy and Leishmaniasis; thank you!

Leprosy Mailing List, June 29th, 2008

Ref.: Leprosy and Leishmaniasis; thank you!
From: Villarreal Olaya M. E., La Paz, Bolivia


Dear Dr. Noto

I would like to thank all the people that have written me on the case of leprosy and Leishmaniasis. It is the first case reported in my country with this association.

Thanks to all.

Dr (Ms) Villarreal

Infolep collection of leprosy related web links

Leprosy Mailing List, June 29th, 2008

Ref.: Infolep collection of leprosy related web links
From: v Brakel W., Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Dear Salvatore,

I would like to congratulate Jiske Erlings on this very interesting and useful initiative! Let's hope that lots of people will use these resources and add to them!

With best wishes,

Wim van Brakel

Infolep collection of leprosy related web links

Leprosy Mailing List, June 27th, 2008

Ref.: Infolep collection of leprosy related web links
From: Erlings J., Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Dear Noto,
I would like to share the Infolep collection of leprosy related web links with everyone on the leprosy mailing list.
You may find the collection on the Infolep part of the ILEP website:
http://www.ilep.org.uk/library-resources/infolep-information-services/infolep-links/ or at http://del.icio.us/infolepSecondly I would like to invite you all to share your links with me too. This is easily done with "Delicio.us. Del.icio.us is a collection of favourites - yours and everyone else's. You can use del.icio.us to:
Keep links to your favourite articles, blogs, music, reviews, recipes, and more, and access them from any computer on the web.
Share favourites with friends, family, co-workers, and the del.icio.us community.
Discover new things. Everything on del.icio.us is someone's favourite -- they've already done the work of finding it. So del.icio.us is full of bookmarks about technology, entertainment, useful information, and more. Explore and enjoy.
Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking website -- the primary use of del.icio.us is to store your bookmarks online, which allows you to access the same bookmarks from any computer and add bookmarks from anywhere, too. On del.icio.us, you can use tags to organize and remember your bookmarks, which is a much more flexible system than folders.
You can also use del.icio.us to see the interesting links that your friends and other people bookmark, and share links with them in return. You can even browse and search del.icio.us to discover the cool and useful bookmarks that everyone else has saved -- which is made easy with tags. All you need is a browser and an internet connection. Sounds good? Here's how to get started:
http://del.icio.us/help/getstarted. Please let me know if this is useful.
With kind regards,
Jiske Erlings
INFOLEP Leprosy Information Services
P.O. Box 950051090 HA AMSTERDAMNetherlands
Tel.: + 31 20 5950530
Infolep2skype
Fax: + 31 20 6680823
Email: infolep(at)leprastichting.nl
Web: http://www.ilep.org.uk/library-resources/
Infolep catalogue: http://infolep.scoolaid.net/

Leprosy and Leishmaniasis

Leprosy Mailing List, June 27th, 2008

Ref.: Leprosy and Leishmaniasis
From: Dahiru T., Rayfield, Plateau State, Nigeria


Dear Salvatore,

I refer to Dr Villarreal’s LML message dated June 25th, 2008. The two diseases, leprosy and Leishmaniasis, can be treated concurrently with minimal risk of drug interaction. Careful monoring of this patient for possible severe type 2 reaction is recommended.

Greetings,

Tahir
Medical Adviser to the Netherlands Leprosy Relief
Rayfield, Plateau State
Nigeria

Leprosy and Leishmaniasis

Leprosy Mailing List, June 26th, 2008

Ref.: Leprosy and Leishmaniasis
From: Villarreal Olaya M. E., La Paz, Bolivia


Dear Dr. Noto,
I would like to thank very much the Authors of the comments I have already received.
Herewith are the information requested by Prof. William Faber:-
1.
The previous treatment was at the time the patient had cutaneous leismaniasis.
2.
The cutaneous leismaniasis is cured, but he has now a mucocutaneous leismaniasis with spread to orofarigeal mucous membrane. He needs treatment with Anfotericina B for 2 months, and I would like to know if I can administer both Anfotericina and MDT for leprosy without to have adverse effects or begin with Anfotericina.
3.
The patient received the treatment 5 years ago and we do not know what dosage of Glucantime he received.
Thanks a lot for your attention.
Dr (Ms) Villarreal

Leprosy and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis

Leprosy Mailing List, June 26th, 2008

Ref.: Leprosy and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
From: Faber W. R., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
ref.: Dr Villarreal’s message (LML June 25th, 2008)

Dear Dr Villarreal,
Before replying to your question I would like to have some additional information:-1: the previous leishmaniasis treatment was at that time with the diagnosis cutaneous or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis?
2: is his leishmaniasis at the moment cured? or does he need again treatment?
3: what dosage of glucantime was given: 20 mg/kg/day?
Greetings,William R Faber

Leprosy and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis

Leprosy Mailing List, June 26th, 2008

Ref.: Leprosy and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
From: Naafs B., Munnekeburen, The Netherlands
ref.: Dr Villarreal’s message (LML June 25th, 2008)

Dear colleague,
My experience is from Ethiopia, long ago. I do not think that it is important, which treatment you start first. There is hardly any interaction. The only small risk is that treating the Leishmaniasis leads to an ENL reaction. But that may happen before and after the treatment for the leprosy has started.
With kind regards,
Dr Ben Naafs

Leprosy and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis

Leprosy Mailing List, June 26th, 2008

Ref.: Leprosy and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
From: Talhari S., Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil


Dear Salvatore,

Regarding Dr Villarreal’s message (LML June 25th, 2008) about the treatment of Leishmaniasis + leprosy I suggest to repeat the treatment with antimonial and if there is no response - anphotericin or miltefosine.

Treatment of leprosy: - the same as recommended for multibacillary patients. It would be interesting to do an HIV test.

Best regards,

Sinésio Talhari
Institute of Tropical Medicine
Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

Leprosy and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis

Leprosy Mailing List, June 25th, 2008

Ref.: Leprosy and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
From: Villarreal Olaya M. E., La Paz, Bolivia


Dear Dr. Noto,
I have a 33 years old patient with multibacillary (MB) leprosy. His bacteriological index (BI) is 3+ and disability grade 2. He has also mucocutáneus Leishmaniasis with nose involvement. Five years ago he received Glucantime for 20 days.
I would really appreciate comments and suggestions from people with more experience. For e.g. what treatment do I begin first?
Thank you very much. Dra. M. E. Villarreal O.
La Paz
Bolivia

“Clinical neurophysiology - Approach to leprosy neuropathy” – parts VII and VIII

Leprosy Mailing List, June 24th, 2008

Ref.: “Clinical neurophysiology - Approach to leprosy neuropathy” – parts VII and VIII (see attachment)
From: Garbino J. A., Bauru, SP, Brazil

Dear All,
Kindly, find herewith enclosed Dr Garbino’s presentations Part VII and VIII.

Best regards,

S. Noto

Teleleprosy

Leprosy Mailing List, June 20th, 2008

Ref.: Teleleprosy (see attachment)
From: Bianconcini Trindade M. A., Sao Paulo, Brazil
"Accuracy of store-and-forward diagnosis in leprosy"
Bianconcini Trinidade et al
Journal of telemedicine and telecare 2008; 14: 208-210


Dear Dr Salvatore Noto,

I am attaching the above mentioned publication about teleleprosy.

Thank you for your attention and to be participate of this very nice Leprosy Mailing List.

Maria Angela Bianconcini Trindade
Dermatologist of Clinical Hospital University São Paulo, Brazil
Leprosy Researcher of Health Institut, Health State Department
Sao Paulo, Brazil
fax: 551131598279

High case detection of leprosy in Pando, Bolivia

Leprosy Mailing List, June 19th, 2008

Ref.: High case detection of leprosy in Pando, Bolivia
From: Villarreal Olaya M. E., La Paz, Bolivia


Dear Dr Noto,
Thank you very much to Dr Eggens for translating the summary of our paper in English (LML 15th, 06 2008) and, for his comments (LML 17th, 06 2008). Certainly, the detection percentage in Pando is very high, this can explain to you because during the last two decades they had registered per year around 1 to 2 patients. Because the leprosy programme in Pando didn't work, there have never been carried out activities of active search, the reason is the personnel that works in Pando don't have the due training in leprosy and therefore they didn't show interest.

The year 2007-2008 with the cooperation of an ONG COINFA were carried out campaigns of dermatologist attention with the purpose of finding cases of leprosy, and we registered all that are informed in the paper, this organization it had not considered in its budget the follow up of the patients, control of the domiciliary focus neither the disabilities prevention.

For that a great quantity of patients has not continued their treatment, no exist personnel qualified in follow up and lack of economic resources to be able to move to the rural areas where they have registered the cases.

In November arrived to Cobija (Pando) a commission from Brazil headed by the Dr. Wood who is expert in leprosy to verify the realized diagnoses, he congratulated the work that has been carried out.

Bolivia is neighbouring with Brazil in a great extension; the data that were reported until 2005 not showed our true reality, I consider that we should begin to work and to admit our reality, that we have leprosy in Bolivia.
Best regards,
Dra. Maria Esther Villarreal O.
La Paz, Bolivia

Monthly quizzes in Leprosy

Leprosy Mailing List, June 19th, 2008

Ref.: Monthly quizzes in Leprosy
From: Periche Fernandez J., Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Dear Salvatore,
I like the idea of a Monthly quizze in Leprosy from Dr Khalid Al Aboud (LML 17th , June, 2008). I look forward to it.
Yours sincerely,

Juan
Dr Juan Periche FernandezDominicana Rep.

Monthly quizzes in Leprosy ?

Leprosy Mailing List, June 17th, 2008

Ref.: Monthly quizzes in Leprosy ?
From: Al Aboud K., Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Dear Dr Noto,

Quizzes and contests are important educational tools in tele-education. I have elaborated on this in my published freely accessed paper in this link
www.mf.uni-lj.si/acta-apa/acta-apa-04-4/7.pdf
It is used by some dermatology websites like www.iranderma.com
Fayza Al-Ali, a dermatologist from United Arab Emirates is circulating a monthly quizze. I shall forward you an example of her templates.

I was thinking to utilize the LML, for a monthly quizze in Leprosy. Looking forward to your and other LML members comments.

With my thanks and regards,

Sincerely,

Dr Khalid Al Aboud
Medical Director and Consultant Dermatologist
King Faisal Hospital ,
P.O Box 5592
Makkah
Saudi Arabia
Tel 0096625566411 ext 6666
Fax 0096625563523
E-mail alaboudkhalid@yahoo.ca

French speaking leprosy surgeon

Leprosy Mailing List, June 17th, 2008

Ref.: French speaking leprosy surgeon
From: Ortuno Gutierrez N., Bujumbura, Burundi

Dear Dr Salvatore,

Leprosy is still a health problem in Burundi. The last seven years the new cases that we have reported varies between 122 (in 2000) to 333 (in 2003). In 2007, we had 239 new cases, 91% of them were MB cases. In the near future we do not expect a change in this trend.

The big problem that we had is the delay of diagnosis; more than 20% of new cases have 2° of disability. The national Leprosy and TB programme with the support of Damien Foundation and the Belgian Technical Cooperation are organizing training for the health care workers in the endemics areas every quarter. Also the community is implicated; we have trained the local health promoters in order to help us to suspect and to follow-up leprosy patients.

We have a plan to start social and chirurgical rehabilitation. The big problem that we are facing now is to find a French speaking consultant with the necessary expertise to train a local surgeon in order to keep on this activity in the future. May be the readers of the Leprosy Mailing list could help us to find an experimented surgeon with good proficiency in speaking French.

I would like to thank you for keeping this Leprosy Mailing List that helps us to be updated and to learn more about better care for leprosy patients. Thank you again for your help.

Best regards,

Dr. Nimer ORTUÑO GUTIERREZ
Representative of Damien Foundation in Burundi
Medical Advisor of National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme (PNLT)
B.P. 24 26 Bujumbura
Burundi
Tel.: (257) 22.25.00.71; (257) 22.22.41.50 Fax: (257) 22. 21.85.85
E- mail: pnlt(at)usan-bu.net ; nimeortunog(at)yahoo.fr

Child leprosy in Pando Department, Bolivia

Leprosy Mailing List, June 17th, 2008

Ref.: Child leprosy in Pando Department, Bolivia
From: Eggens H., Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Dear Salvatore,

Thank you for forwarding Dr Villarreal's article on child leprosy in Pando Department, Bolivia (LML June 15th, 2008). Please find below my brief comment.

I find it remarkable: with a Pando department population of around 67,000 (2005), an annual leprosy case detection rate (March 2007-Feb 2008) of 202/67000 = around 300/100,000 is enormous! A child proportion of 28% is also out of the ordinary. What is happening there? We know that in neighbouring Rondonia, Brazil, high case detection rates are reported for many years (80/100,000 in 2006).

Kind regards,

Henk

Henk Eggens, MD MPHSenior adviser public healthRoyal Tropical InstituteAmsterdam, The Netherlands

English summay of: "Leprosy in children in Pando Department, Bolivia"

Leprosy Mailing List, June 15th, 2008

Ref.: English summay of: "Leprosy in children in Pando Department, Bolivia"
From: Eggens H., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dear Salvatore,
I have translated the summary of Dr Villarreal's article on child leprosy in Pando Dept., Bolivia. Please find it below. A short comment of mine will follow with the next message. Greetings.
Henk
Henk Eggens, MD MPHSenior adviser public healthRoyal Tropical InstituteAmsterdam, The Netherlands


Epidemiological leprosy situation in children under 15 years of age in Pando Department, Bolivia
Villarreal,M.E*.; Bustillos,J**.; Rios, L***.; Iquize,C***.; Franco,M.C***.; Isita,D.***
(* Dermatologist COINFA,** Director COINFA,*** Personal SEDES Pando.)

Summary:
Leprosy in children is an infrequent disease; its diagnosis requires good clinical skills. It is difficult to diagnose in children under 14 years of age, because its appearance is limited to maculae that can be overlooked or can be confounded with another disease.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to analyse the epidemiological leprosy situation in children under 15 years in Pando Department. A retrospective descriptive study was used as study design, with clinical histories as basis for information. Fifty-eight clinical histories were studied; age, sex, initial skin lesion, patient delay and clinical appearance were analysed.

Results:
In the period of March 2007-February 2008, 202 new leprosy cases were registered in Pando Department. Fifty-eight of them were children under 15 years of age, 20 boys and 38 girls. Eighty-four percent presented maculae, most frequently in the face (33%). The most common clinical presentation was indeterminate (54%). Eighteen percent had Grade One disability and in 34 % a skin smear was taken. Clinical appearance and epidemiology were the pillars of diagnosis.

Conclusions:
Leprosy is among the re-emerging diseases in our country and worldwide. Child leprosy is not limited to clinical disease characteristics, but is linked to epidemiology, public health and health education. Child leprosy is a direct indicator of the magnitude of disease transmission and of the effectiveness of control programme activities, in the sense that it reflects an important active transmission and a low coverage of activities of case detection and early treatment.

“Mnemonics” in leprosy

Leprosy Mailing List, June 15th, 2008

Ref.: “Mnemonics” in leprosy
From: Al Aboud K., Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Dear Dr Noto,

Mnemonics are important educational tools. An example for it is reported below.
Cardinal signs of leprosy
"LEProsy":
L: Loss of sensation in affected skin / Loss of function in affected nerves;
E: Enlargement of affected superficial nerves (they may be tender too);
P: Positive identification of M. leprae under microscope.

I am trying to compile a list of available mnemonics in leprosy. I was thinking to utilize the LML, to gather as much as I can from my colleagues in LML. Looking forward to your and other LML members comments.

With my thanks and regards,

Sincerely,

Dr Khalid Al Aboud
Medical Director and Consultant Dermatologist
King Faisal Hospital ,
P.O Box 5592
Makkah
Saudi Arabia
Tel 0096625566411 ext 6666
Fax 0096625563523
E-mail alaboudkhalid@yahoo.ca

Leprosy in children in Pando Province, Bolivia

Leprosy Mailing List, June 15th, 2008

Ref.: Leprosy in children in Pando Province, Bolivia (Spanish)
From: Villarreal M. E., La Paz, Bolivia
Dear All,
In attachment is the interesting paper of Dr Villarreal et al. I would be very grateful if somebody could translate it in English.
Best regards,
S. Noto


Dear Dr. Noto, Le envío el artículo de la Revista Dermatológica Boliviana sobre los casos encontrados en el Departamento de Pando en Bolivia. Como mi Inglés no es fluido, espero que pueda traducirlo. Sinceramente, Dra. Maria Esther Villarreal O.La Paz, Bolivia

“Clinical neurophysiology - Approach to leprosy neuropathy” – parts V-VI

Leprosy Mailing List, June 12th, 2008

Ref.: “Clinical neurophysiology - Approach to leprosy neuropathy” – parts V-VI
From: Garbino J. A., Bauru, SP, Brazil


Dear All,

In attachment to this message are parts V and VI of Dr J. A. Garbino’s, “Clinical neurophysiology - approach to leprosy neuropathy”. Parts VII-VIII will be circulated in the coming days.

Best regards,

S. Noto

“Clinical neurophysiology - Approach to leprosy neuropathy” – part IV

Leprosy Mailing List, June 5th, 2008

Ref.: “Clinical neurophysiology - Approach to leprosy neuropathy” – part IV
From: Garbino J. A., Bauru, SP, Brazil


Dear All,

In attachment to this message is part IV of Dr J. A. Garbino’s, “Clinical neurophysiology - approach to leprosy neuropathy”. It is a PowerPoint presentation. The rest (parts V-VIII) will be circulated in the coming days.

Best regards,

S. Noto