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  • Title: DNA amplification for detection of leprosy and assessment of efficacy of leprosy chemotherapy.
    Author: Kampirapap K, Singtham N, Klatser PR, Wiriyawipart S.
    Journal: Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis; 1998 Mar; 66(1):16-21. PubMed ID: 9614835.
    Abstract:
    Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Mycobacterium leprae was applied to fresh skin biopsies and slit-skin smears from 122 untreated leprosy patients. The PCR positivity rates in biopsies were 95.6% in multibacillary (MB) cases and 44.2% in paucibacillary (PB) cases. Following 1 month of treatment, MB cases declined by 54.3% and PB cases by 61.8% of initial values. Six-month values also declined from initial positivity rates to 50.3% and 53.8% of initial values in MB and PB, respectively. Larger declines in the rate of positivity were seen for skin-smear samples at 1 and 6 months in both MB and PB, but overall PCR positivity rates were lower than biopsy rates for M. leprae.
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