Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Walter

Publications and source records attributed to J Walter.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1973

Late lepromin reaction in untreated patients with indeterminate leprosy under 21 years old in Burma.

Studies on lepromin reactivity in indeterminate (I) leprosy have usually been carried out among patients in whom the disease appeared 1 or more years before testing. This may result in misleading findings because a high proportion of patients, probably those showing moderate or strong lepromin reactions, seem to progress to the tuberculoid pole of leprosy in a relatively short time (<1 year), and in many the lesions heal spontaneously. The object of the present study was to determine the frequency and intensity of late lepromin reactions (macroscopic readings) in untreated I patients aged under 21 years who had had the disease for less than 1 year. Of 209 patients tested with lepromin containing 160 x 10(6) bacilli/ml only a small proportion ( not equal 7%) showed a negative or doubtful lepromin reaction, while 61.5% were 2+ and 3+ reactors. These findings indicate that a favourable outcome may be expected in most I cases in the trial area.

Adult↗
PubMed1973

Some epidemiological data on leprosy collected in a mass survey in Burma.

In the WHO Leprosy BCG Trial in Burma a mass survey was undertaken to determine whether children had been exposed to patients with leprosy and, if so, the form of the index case. This paper presents the most important epidemiological data collected in this survey. The prevalence rate was 31.6 per 1 000. It seems that even if the prevalence rate is very high the L rate does not increase accordingly. The high T rates in areas of high endemicity seem to be related mainly to the degree of spreading of leprosy, even to persons who react to lepromin. Comparison of the results with data available for the area before the survey was made shows that 87% of the L cases had already been detected and that 54% of the T cases had not. There was a tendency for high L rates to be associated with high prevalence rates. The results do not suggest that any particular age group has greater susceptibility or resistance; the prevalence rates seemed to be related mainly to the age when exposure occurred. A higher prevalence of leprosy in males started to appear in the 10-14-year age group, and after the age of 15 the difference became impressive. Biological, socio-economic, and environmental factors seem to be responsible for the level of endemicity, which does not seem to be essentially or primarily related to ethnic origin.

Adolescent↗