@article{25354,
  keywords = {Persisting organisms, Multi-drug therapy, leprosy, Hong Kong},
  title = {Leprosy - A Review},
  abstract = {<p>Leprosy is divided into paucibacillary and multibacillary types, depending on whether bacilli are present in the skin smear. In tuberculoid leprosy, a strong cell-mediated immune response results in isolated lesions and histologically granulomatous lesions where no bacillus is present. In lepromatous leprosy, poor cell-mediated immunity results in diffuse lesions in which numerous bacilli are present. Low-dose dapsone monotherapy led to the development of dapsone resistance in the 1970s; but with the introduction of WHO multi-drug therapy, the incidence of leprosy has declined dramatically. There have been relapses both after dapsone monotherapy and WHO multi-drug therapy. Persisting organisms have been found even after high dose regimen and in clinically cured patients. Continual surveillance is therefore important. Promising new drugs include minocycline, sparfloxacin, and clarithromycin.</p>
},
  year = {1999},
  journal = {Hong Kong Dermatology & Venereology Bulletin},
  volume = {7},
  pages = {65 - 70},
  url = {http://medcomhk.com/hkdvb/pdf/review0699b.pdf},
  language = {eng},
}