Leprosy patients developing erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) reactions after stopping multi-drug therapy (MDT)

Leprosy Mailing List – February 2^nd, 2010

Ref.: Leprosy patients developing erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) reactions after stopping multi-drug therapy (MDT)

From: Wim H. van Brakel, Amsterdam , Netherlands

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Dear Prof. Das,

I refer to your message dated LML Jan. 23^rd, 2010 regarding leprosy patients developing ENL reactions after stopping MDT.

I am very sure about this observation, but realise that this does not constitute 'evidence' in itself. I have tried to encourage people in many countries to collect such information systematically. Unfortunately I do not know of a single (published) study with adequate design that has done this. There was one paper from the Philippines presented at the last World Leprosy Congress that was a good attempt, but they had used a non-concurrent control group in a comparison study of prolonged clofazimine treatment vs no clofazimine. I'd be interested in any other data readers may have or know on this.

With kind regards,

Wim van Brakel

Wim H. van Brakel

Royal Tropical Institute
Leprosy Unit
and

Athena Institute

Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences

VU University

Correspondence address:

Wibautstraat 137k

1097DN Amsterdam
Netherlands
tel +3120 6939297

fax +3120 6680823
w.v.brakel(at)kit.nl

wim.van.brakel(at)falw.vu.nl