Impact of combined Mycobacterium w vaccine and 1 year of MDT on multibacillary leprosy patients.

A total of 20 bacteriologically positive multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients older than 18 years of age with a bacterial index (BI) of 2+ or greater were given standard World Health Organization multiple drug therapy (MDT-MB) for 12 consecutive months plus four intradermal doses of Mycobacterium w vaccine at 3 monthly intervals (Study group). Twenty age-matched MB patients were given WHO/MDT alone (Control group). The patients of both groups were followed up for 1 year. Improvements in the patients were periodically monitored by clinical (Ramu's score), bacteriological (SSS), histopathological (skin biopsy) and immunological (lepromin conversion) parameters. Study group patients showed more significant improvements in all parameters except for lepromin conversion compared to patients in the Control group. The incidence of type 1 reaction was more in the Study group (30% vs 10%), while the incidence of type 2 reaction was more in the Control group (25% vs 15%). Neuritis associated with reactions was seen more often in the Control group compared to the Study group (20% vs 10%). The addition of Mycobacterium w vaccine as an adjunct to the 1-year WHO/MDT regimen appears to be significantly more beneficial in MB leprosy patients with a high initial BI compared to WHO/MDT given alone. Studies on larger numbers of patients with extended follow up will be in order.