Sparfloxacin in the treatment of leprosy patients

Seven men (age range, 20-33 years) with leprosy visited our dermatologic clinic at Yokohama City University Hospital (Table 1) and were entered into a trial of sparfloxacin (SPFX), 100-200 mg daily for up to 1 year. Five patients were Japanese Brazilians or Paraguayan from South America, and two patients were Filipinos. Examination procedures included a detailed medical history, pretreatment, clinical examinations, and body charting of the characteristic skin lesions, areas of anesthesia, and enlarged peripheral nerves. There were no deformities observed in any patient. All had presented with eruptions and neurologic problems. The diagnosis of leprosy and its type were determined by the above examination, skin smear, and histopathologic study, as well as Mitsuda reaction. The first patient came from the Philippines and presented to our clinic in 1993. There were many elevated erythemas with central healing on his whole body. Sensory nerves were impaired. His type was lepromatous (LL) leprosy. The second patient was followed for only 1 month because of a change in residence. The third and fourth patients were brothers. The fifth patient came from Paraguay. The sixth patient was from the Philippines. The seventh patient came to our clinic in April 1995.