Ongoing Research
INDIGO#2
Collaboration with Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC)
The INDIGO#2 study is partly funded by the Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI) and collaborated with LUMC. The Study aims to Monitor the effect of prophylactic interventions in contacts of leprosy patients including field application of a novel immunodiagnostic test in Bangladesh. The study concluded on 31 December 2023, with the completion of sample collection from the field. A total of 23,218 lateral flow strips were collected. The study has benefited some of our staff by providing training in laboratory methods and other skills.
2B (The role of B-cells and antibody production in immunity during leprosy and Mycobacterium leprae infection: Identifying B-cell immune mechanisms for use in diagnostics)
Collaborations with Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC and TLM Nepal)
The 2Bornto2B study, funded by The Leprosy Mission Great Britain, is a collaboration between Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), TLMI-Bangladesh, and TLM Nepal. Led by Principal Investigator Prof. Annemieke Geluk, it aims to translate the newly obtained insights on the functional role of B-cells in immunity against M. leprae into biomarkers applicable to field-friendly tests allowing improved diagnostic accuracy across the leprosy disease spectrum. The study started in July 2023 and enrolled 02 (of 50) MB high BI patients and 39 (of 500) of their household contacts; 22 (of 50) PB patients; 16 (of 50) other dermatological diseases; and 50 (of 50) healthy endemic control.
PEP++
Collaborations with Until No Leprosy Remains (NLR)
The PEP++ Study also known as “Stop the Transmission of Leprosy!” is funded by The Leprosy Mission and in collaboration with NLR, operates in Nilphamari District (469 clusters) and Rangpur District (463 clusters). Though the study faced delay due to problems with importing rifampicin, the enrolment started in late August 2023 and was able to enrol both the intervention and control arms – managing to dose about 7000 contacts per month. Under the study, the baseline data of the leprosy perception study has been analyzed and was presented in the Community Education and Behavior Change (CEBC) workshop In June 2023. Based on the CEBC workshop IEC materials have been developed and distributed within the community to raise awareness on Leprosy. By the end of 2023, 58 new Leprosy cases were detected among the screened contacts.
Extra Clofazimine in ENL Study
Collaboration with Bombay Leprosy Project, India
The Extra-Clofazimine Study, funded by the Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI), focuses on clofazimine’s effectiveness of high-dose clofazimine in smear-positive multibacillary patients at high risk of developing Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) reactions.
Child Serosurvey
Monitoring Mycobacterium leprae transmission using quantification of anti-Mycobacterium leprae PGL-I IgM in young children in Bangladesh
The Child Serosurvey study, funded by The Leprosy Mission Great Britain, is a collaboration between Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), and TLMI-Bangladesh. Led by Principal Investigator Prof. Annemieke Geluk, it aims to assess the use of the anti-PGL-I UCP-LFA as a tool for measuring M. leprae infection among children as a proxy for transmission in north-west Bangladesh. The study began in September 2024 and has enrolled 4,000 children out of an intended 6,000.