The frequencies of chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), cell proliferation kinetics and mitotic indices were studied in peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures of leprosy patients both before and after chemotherapy. The differences in the frequencies of chromosome aberrations and SCEs between controls, paucibacillary and multibacillary patients were found to be statistically highly significant (P<0.001). The extent of cytogenetic damage seemed to depend on the severity of the disease. Lymphocytes of untreated leprosy patients showed a low mitotic index and a slow rate of cell proliferation. Following combined treatment with dapsone and rifampicin there was an increase, but to a lesser degree (P<0.01), in the frequency of SCEs and chromosome aberrations while the drug combination of dapsone, rifampicin and clofazamine had a non-mutagenic effect on chromosomes of the patient. Furthermore, after drug treatment, the cell proliferation rate and mitotic indices in paucibacillary patients were comparable to that of controls. These results indicate the clastogenic potency ofMycobacterium lepraeand the remedial effects that follow therapeutic drug treatment.
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