• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.223-226
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• 2002

Background: The type 2 deviated immunological state is predominant in lepromatous leprosy. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an immune-complex mediated reaction that typically occurs in lepromatous leprosy. To date, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, IL-10, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-1 receptor antagonist and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were reported to be higher in lepromatous leprosy. TNF-${\alpha}$ is also known to be higher in ENL, which is reduced after thalidomide treatment. However the serum type 2 chemokine levels in lepromatous leprosy patients have not been reported. Methods: The serum levels of the type 2 chemokines such as thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and eotaxin together with IL-12 and IL-10 in the sera from leprosy patients were detected using an enzyme-linked solvent assay (ELISA) method. Results: The Serum TARC, MDC, eotaxin, IL-10 and IL-12 levels in lepromatous leprosy patients were not significantly different from the normal control levels. The serum levels were not significantly different between the paucibacillary group and multibacillary group. The serum TARC or MDC levels in the ENL patients were more reduced after a treatment containing thalidomide. Conclusion: The type 2 chemokines are not related to the severity of lepromatous leprosy. The larger reducing effect of the TARC or MDC levels in ENL patients by a treatment containing thalidomide suggests the potential role of these chemokines in the development of ENL and the therapeutic mechanism of thalidomide.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 1992

Due to the selectivity of the involvement by the M, leprae, the deformities are characteristic ones. It is estimated that from $25\%\;to\;88.4\%$ of the patients with leprosy possess deformities are numerous and often multiple. The chief modalities employed in physical therapy of the leprosy are : Paraffin baths, oil massages, foot baths, exercises, splinting.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.236-240
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• 1996

Rifampin is the most powerful drug for treating leprosy and tuberculosis today. It inhibits initiation and elongation of RNA transcription by binding to $\beta$-subunit of RNA polymerase, leading to kill mycobacteria. We isolated one variant strain of Mycobacterium leprae from 24 Korean leprosy patients who are less susceptible to rifampin or have suffered from relapse by polymerase chain reaction and single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) of the rpoB gene. Direct sequencing of the rpoB region of M. leprae variant revealed missense mutations which altered the amino acids sequenceof RpoB to Ser-464, Arg-465, Arg-467 and Ala-468. This is the first finding on rpoB gene mutation of M. leprae from Korean patients ; moreover the mutant type was found to be different from the previously reported cases in other countries.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.4 no.4 s.18
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• pp.37-59
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• 1965

Since the demonstration of Mycoba Abstract terium lepare murium and its recognition as the causative agent of rat leprosy, this intracellular parasite has been an object of unusual interest in connection with the problem of human leprosy. Like the human l

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.287-293
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• 2001

A fast and easy PCR-SSCP method was developed and assessed for the early detection of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium leprae in skin biopsy samples from Korean leprosy patients. The 190 bp of the rpoB gene, in which mutation is known to cause resistance to rifampin, was amplified by PCR and then analyzed by SSCP and DNA sequencing, All PCR products showing mobility shift on PCR-SSCP contained mutations, demonstrating that this method can be used for an early diagnositic method to detect a putative rifampin-resistant M. leprae strain. DNA sequence analysis revealed that 19 of 34 patient samples contained M. leprae strains with missense mutations in the rpoB gene: five were the same mutations previously reported to cause rifampin resistance and eight were the new type of mutatios that likely cause rifampin resistance. These newly identified dmutations, whose all five cytosine bases of four amino acids were substitued with thymine, were found at different sites from those reported in Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M. leprae. Therefore, they may provide additional clues to understand the molecular biological basis on the rifampin resistance of M. leprae.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.323-328
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• 1987

This study was attempted to investigate the effect of inosiplex on the cell-mediated immunity in the patients with lepromatous leprosy. Fourteen patients received inosiplex (6gm/day) for 1 month. About 20% of the patients (3 of 14) showed conversion of the lepromin reaction and bacteriological index was significantly decreased in 3 of 7 patients. However, inosiplex administration had no effect on the lymphocyte blastogenesis to M. leprae. The clinical evolution showed a favorable activity of the drug on cutaneous lesions in some patients. The tolerance of the drug was excellent. No side effects were observed. These results suggest that inosiplex may have a moderate immunopotential value in lepromatous leprosy.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.2 s.20
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• pp.263-272
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• 1986

During the 8 months from October 1985 to May 1986, the survey was performed on 211 leprosy patients over fifty years old, settled in the four villages of Iksan county, North of Chulla province. In that obserbation, we investigated the frequency and the degree of impairments according to sex, age, and anatomical location by the 'guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment'. The noticeable findings were made as follows: 1) Frequency of impairment by anatomical location was significantly higher in hand than eye and foot (p<0.01). 2) Frequency of impairment was significantly increased in eye according as age increase (p<0.01). 3) The degree of impairments of all patients was the highest in hand as 28.7%. 4) By the kinds of impairment, the flextion and the amputation were most common in hand and foot, and loss of central vision was common symptom in eye. 5) The degree of impairments of 211 leprosy patients was shown as 44.1% and increased according as age increase.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.3 no.3 s.11
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• pp.63-67
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• 1964

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2011

This study was to investigate the positive effects of specially designed trunk-stabilization exercise program on lower extremity balance of elderly with history of leprosy. In this participants, lower extremity functions has been undermined by the development of damage in peripheral nerves. A total of 40 elderly with history of leprosy were divided into 2 groups of equal size ($n_{1,\;2}=20$): a group that participated in the exercise program, and a control group that did not exercise but did continue to engage in normal daily activities (including walking). The exercise group exercised for 60 minutes 2 days a week for 12 weeks. Static balance ability was measured by asking study participants to a one leg standing test: dynamic balancing ability was measured with a tandem walking test and a timed up-and-go test. The participants in the exercise program and the control group were tested before and after completion of the exercise program for comparison, and then divided according to their ability to feel sensory in the soles of their feet into the categories of normal sensory group: group with sensory loss in one foot: and group with sensory loss in both feet. The participants in the exercise program showed a positive, statistically significant difference in static balance compared with the control group (p<.05) as measured using the one leg standing test. Similarly, the participants in dynamic balance (p<.05) as measured using the tandem walking and timed up-and-go tests. Finally, these improvements were related to the severity of sensory loss in the soles of the feet for all study participants.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.239-266
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• 2013

This study sets out to explore their experiences using a biographical research method and to suggest appropriate support systems for Korean women with leprosy. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with five leprous women. The following main themes were extracted from the practical experiences of leprous women over all their life-span: "encounter the divine punishment", "huge burden on a tiny body", and, "the candle to die down". These themes are listed and described in chronological order. Leprous women were forced to choose concentration hospital to survive social stigma and discrimination. In the hospital, leprous women were treated like a pest, and further deprived of their rights regarding marriage, pregnancy and child care. Until now, they still keep themselves away from society because of their ugly body even though the disease is completely gone. But they keep praying for their children's lives. Finally they accepted a life of tears and regrets and waited for death. This study offers practical knowledge and social work implications for Korean women with leprosy.