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Biomedical subjects

M Lavender

Publications and source records attributed to M Lavender.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Research into purchasing health care: time to face the challenge.

Purchasing health care is at the core of the reforms of the UK NHS and yet there is little research evidence on which the policy is based. Research in this area is hampered by a lack of clarity over the aims of purchasing and the pace of change within the NHS. Purchasing developments such as general practice fund-holding are proceeding without a large scale evaluation of their impact. At a national level a research effort is required to investigate this key area of the NHS reforms.

Delivery of Health Care

Serological responses in primary neuritic leprosy.

The serological responses to 2 Mycobacterium leprae specific epitopes and one common mycobacterial antigen were examined in 46 untreated patients with primary neuritic (PN) leprosy. M. leprae specific antibodies to the terminal disaccharide of phenolic glycolipid and/or the ML-04 defined epitope on the 35 kDa protein were detected in 41% of PN patients and 47% responded to one of the 3 antigens. This serological response mirrored that observed in paucibacillary leprosy patients. There was a significant increase in the level of antibody response when more nerve trunks were involved. Changes in antibody levels in seropositive PN patients may prove useful in monitoring the response to chemotherapy.

Adolescent