A comparative study of the efficacy of WHO and IAL multidrug therapy regimens for leprosy--an in-vivo and in-vitro study.

In the absence of definite evidence on utility of intensive therapy with rifampicin in multibacillary leprosy cases, a laboratory based investigation was undertaken basically to compare the efficacy of WHO and IAL regimens. In each group 4 untreated BL-LL patients were included and their skin biopsies were subjected for viability test both in vitro and in vivo systems. A consistant fall in BI with good clinical improvement was observed in both the groups. However good viability was maintained till about third pulse dose in WHO group whereas under IAL group rapid fall in viability was observed after intensive phase. Viable bacilli were seen even after 12,15,18 and 24 doses in both groups. These findings question the need for additional 21 doses of rifampicin in IAL schedule. However such studies are to be repeated on larger samples.