A comparative clinico-pathological study of single dose ROM in paucibacillary leprosy patients with 1-3 skin lesions

A controlled clinical and histopathological study was carried out to compare the efficacy of a combination of rifampicin 600 mg plus ofloxacin 400 mg plus minocycline 100 mg (ROM) administered as a single dose with that of standard WHO/MDT-PB six months' regimen with regard to resolution of lesion clinically and histopathologically. Skin biopsy was performed at the intake and at 6 months. The study subjects were 32 previously untreated, smear-negative patients, without nerve trunk involvement and having 1-3 skin lesions. The results were analyzed for mean clinical score for marked, moderate and no improvement and mean histopathological score was graded as active, resolving and complete resolution, according to granuloma fraction at the end of 6 months. Marked clinical improvement was seen in 25% and 12%, moderate improvement in 50% and 56% patients treated with ROM and standard regimens respectively. Histopathologically, activity was seen in 62.5% and 43.7% and resolution of granuloma in 25% and 31.2% in the ROM and standard regimens respectively. Both the regimens were equally efficacious in the reduction of clinical score and granuloma fraction. No adverse drug reactions or reversal reactions were seen during the study period in both the groups.