Role of Research in Leprosy

Leprosy has existed for thousands of years but still there is  much about this  disease that we do not know. There are still questions about modes of transmission, reservoirs of infection, lepra reactions and effective therapy for  preventing  permanent nerve damage. There are no known ways of prevention and an effective vaccine has not yet been developed.

Since the Government of India’s declaration that leprosy has been eliminated  (new infections below 1/10,000 people) in 2005,  there is limited interest  in leprosy research  in the general medical fraternity.  We are seeking to address the need for research in different aspects of leprosy, from basic sciences such as immunology and genetics and clinical research to the social aspects of leprosy including stigma and discrimination.

What Research means to us

In TLMTI research is a cross cutting issue, being carried out at the central level as well as in  the field,  through it’s hospitals and projects. The Research Resource centre and  the Stanley Browne Research Laboratory have a small group of core staff dedicated to research, while field staff engage in research as part of their routine work.

Areas of focus

Early detection :

•    Methods to encourage Early Detection  / reporting
•    Development of immune and  molecular diagnostic tools

Chemotherapy
•    Methods to improve adherence /prevent defaulting
•    U-MDT and new regimens
•    Alternative  drugs for treatment of lepra reactions

NFI and Reactions
•    Understanding nerve function impairment
•    Optimal  steroids regimens for management of Nerve Function Impairment

Prevention of Disability
•    Novel treatments for plantar ulcers

Community Based Rehabilitation
•    Increase CBR participation Test CBR guidelines

Stigma Reduction and Advocacy
•    Implementation of proven interventions
•    Test interventions to reduce stigma

Health/Social Care  Integration
•    Ways to facilitate  Integration with Primary Care,
•    Urban Leprosy  

Current research in TLMTI

This includes  operational studies in the field, working with communities, and general health care providers to improve early detection and  adherence to treatment.

Social science research in communities addresses the issues of stigma,  gender issues  etc. Research being carried out in hospitals is concerned with early detection of neuritis and how to prevent disabilities, effective ways to manage ulcers and disintegrating feet, reconstructive surgery techniques etc. A list of our Current Research Projects can be found here.

The Stanley Browne Laboratory is situated in the premises of the TLM Community Hospital , in Shahadara, New Delhi, to facilitate collaboration between clinical and laboratory  aspects . The laboratory is named after the pioneering researcher Dr Stanley Browne who conducted extensive research on leprosy including creating the MDT treatment and was a medical consultant with The Leprosy Mission from 1966-1978.  

The main focus in the laboratory  is on basic issues  such as :
•    How leprosy is transmitted (particularly transfer through the environment e.g. soil, water),
•    Development of  tools for early detection of leprosy and reactions
•    Which types of people are particularly susceptible to leprosy,
•    Drug resistance studies  

Research Publications

Our research publications can be found here.