Summary: Mycobacterium leprae is a slow-growing bacillus that causes leprosy. the infection may take two to ten years to incubate. While the exact mechanism of infection transmission is unknown, direct bacillus absorption through the nasal or respiratory mucosa and aerosolized nasal secretions are the most common theories. The bacteria is subsequently transported by the bloodstream to the peripheral nerves...

Summary: Leprosy is one of the oldest human infectious diseases. It is a chronic infectious contagious, granulomatous disease caused by intracellular bacillus. Mycobacterium leprae, this chronic granulomatous disease presents symptoms that mainly affected the skin, the nervous system and the reticuloendothelial system, also other systems can be affected, such as the upper respiratory tract, bones and joint...

Summary: There will be two study arms. Arm 1 will be the intervention arm in which there will be provided BE-PEP to all persons residing within 100 meters of an index case, to be repeated after four weeks for household contacts. Arm 2 will be the comparator arm in which the WHO recommended standard PEP will be provided, i.e. 10 mg/kg of rifampicin in a single dose. In both arms the investigators will targe...

Summary: Buruli ulcer (BU) is a skin Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) that is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. It affects skin, soft tissues and bones causing long-term morbidity, stigma and disability. The greatest burden falls on children in sub-Saharan Africa. Treating BU requires 8-weeks with daily rifampicin and clarithromycin, wound care, and sometimes tissue grafting and surgery. Healing can take u...

Summary: This is an exploratory experimental multicentre study on archived serum samples and on prospectively collected serum samples and blood samples. General objectives of the study are: to identify specific biomarkers in order to develop more accurate serological tests for the screening of Leishmania infections that does not present cross-reaction with other infectious diseases; to unveil the Antigen R...

Summary: Contact with Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) infected individuals is a risk factor for development of leprosy. Thus, detection of asymtomatically M. leprae infected individuals, allowing informed decision making on who needs treatment at a preclinical stage, is vital to interrupt transmission and can help prevent leprosy. In a previous field trial the BCG vaccine was applied alone and combined wi...

Summary: This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of adjunct metformin added to standard-of-care multi-drug therapy (MDT) in patients with multibacillary leprosy, and explore its effects on immunological endpoints. A double-blind, placebo controlled proof-of-concept trial will be performed in which patients with newly diagnosed multibacillary leprosy will be randomized (1:1) to met...

Summary: Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) is a painful, debilitating complication of leprosy. Patients often require high doses of corticosteroids for prolonged periods. Thalidomide is expensive and not available in most countries. The use of corticosteroids for long periods is associated with adverse effects and mortality. It is a priority to identify alternative agents to treat ENL. Methotrexate (MTX) is ...