Leprosy Mailing List, December 8th, 2008
Ref.: Steroid therapy in leprosy should be individualised.
From: Nunzi E., Genoa, Italy
Dear Salvatore,
Leprosy is a bacterial disease where the immune system is strongly involved. This is particularly true in the hyperergic forms of the disease. We use MDT against the bacteria and steroids to control the immunologic hyper-reactivity (reaction) that may damage peripheral nerves and, in type two reaction also eyes, testes, kidneys and so on.
In each patient there is a unique relationship between the bacterial load and the immunologic reaction. The latter tends to increase following the decreasing, with therapy, of the bacterial load. Therefore there is no rational for a standard protocol of treatment for all patients. Naafs and Kar in their messages have correctly pointed out respectively, that leprosy is a disease with a “spectrum” and its treatment should be individualised.
Enrico Nunzi
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