Lepra vaccine: misinterpreted myth

The lepra vaccine 1 dilemma stems from the blatant defiance of Kochs’ postulates by the probable causative organism of leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae . A substantial input of resources was made in the search for a vaccine without tangible results. The prerequisite of recovery of the organism in vitro continues to be a hurdle for workers interested in eliminating leprosy. However, immunotherapy has remained a dogmatic and persistent concept in leprosy treatment, in spite of the lack of data validating this approach. Vaccination is a cornerstone of the immunotherapy school. Multidrug therapy (MDT) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) has thus far proved highly beneficial in alleviating leprosy (release from control), both for paucibacillary and for multibacillary leprosy, with very few relapses reported, and this in large measure argues against the use of vaccines in leprosy. 2