Epco Hasker, Younoussa Assoumani, Andriamira Randrianantoandro, Stéphanie Ramboarina, Sofie Marijke Braet, Bertrand Cauchoix, Abdallah Baco, Aboubacar Mzembaba, Zahara Salim, Mohammed Amidy, Saverio Grillone, Nissad Attoumani, Sillahi Halifa Grillone, Maya Ronse, Koen Peeters Grietens, Mala Rakoto-Andrianarivelo, Hanitra Harinjatovo, Philip Supply, Rian Snijders, Carolien Hoof, Achilleas Tsoumanis, Philip Suffys, Tahinamandranto Rasamoelina, Paul Corstjens, Nimer Ortuno-Gutierrez, Annemieke Geluk, Emmanuelle Cambau, Bouke Catharina de Jong
BACKGROUND: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) using single-dose rifampicin reduces progression from infection with Mycobacterium leprae to leprosy disease. We compared effectiveness of different administration modalities, using a higher (20 mg/kg) dose of rifampicin-single double-dose rifampicin (SDDR)-PEP. METHODS: We did a cluster randomised study in 16 villages in Madagascar and 48 villages in Comoros. Villages were randomly assigned to four study arms and inhabitants were screened once a year for leprosy, for 4 consecutive years...
June 2024: Lancet Global Health