New approach to curb the transmission of leprosy

• Autor(a) principal: PRABHAKAR, M.C.
• Data de Publicação: 1989
• Outros Autores: RAO, A.V.N. APPA, KRISHNA, D.R., RAMANAKAR, T.V., RAO, P.G., REDDY, K. NARSIMHA
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Hansenologia Internationalis (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.saude.sp.gov.br/hansenologia/article/view/35515
• topic: Hanseníase; Rifampicina em gotas e; Tratamento local; Hanseniasis; Rifampicin Nasal Drops and Sprays; Local Treatment

The effect of local treatment of nose of lepromatous type of patients with different formulations of rifampicin nasal  rops/sprays was investigated in a large number of patients. The preparations were either sprayed or instilled into the nostrils after flushing the nostrils with normal saline at 370 C. It was observed that 10 mg/ml of rifampicin was effective in reducing the BI and MI to zero in nose in seven days in majority of the patients. No untoward effect was seen in any of the patients. It is suggested that nasal sprays/drops may be able to prevent the transmission of hanseniasis, as nose is recognised to be an important portal of exit of M. leprae. Further when rifampicin drops/sprays are used as soon as the diagnosis is made, the nasal deformity may be prevented. It is believed that local treatment along with systemic therapy would go a long way in controlling the transmission of hanseniasis.