Absence of relapse within 4 years among 34 multibacillary patients with high BIs treated for 2 years with MDT.

Thirty-four multibacillary patients with a bacterial index (BI) of 3+ or more were treated with 2 years of WHO multidrug therapy (WHO/MDT). Treatment was then stopped and the patients followed for a minimum of 4 years. The rate of fall in the BI in this group without further treatment was similar to the rate of fall in the BI in an earlier group of similar patients treated with MDT until skin-smear negativity. No relapses have been seen.