Policy Evolution and Lessons Learned from China's Efforts to Eliminate Leprosy

The prevention and treatment of leprosy is a public health and social issue of global concern. China has become the first country in the world to put forward a proposal on the elimination of the harm caused by leprosy. This paper briefly introduces the status of the spread of leprosy in China, and systematically reviews the evolution of policies and measures at different stages of the disease in China, from the serious epidemic of leprosy to the control of the infection, to the basic elimination, and to the elimination of the hazards. On this basis, five main lessons learned from the control and elimination of leprosy in China were also summarized. These provide the basis for promoting the complete global elimination of leprosy and preventing its re-transmission, thereby benefiting all those who still suffer from the scourge of leprosy.

Helicobacter pylori eradication improves gastric histology and decreases serum gastrin, pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II levels in patients with duodenal ulcer

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the gastric histopathology and serum gastrin-17 and pepsinogens profiles in patients with duodenal ulcer before and after Helicobacter pylori eradication in a population with a very high prevalence of H. pylori. At the same time we assessed the role of H. pylori density on these variables.

METHODS

Eighty Caucasian patients with H. pylori-associated duodenal ulcer before treatment and 1 year after randomized eradication were studied. Among patients with unsuccessful eradication two groups were distinguished according to the data obtained after treatment: the group with negative rapid urease test and decreased bacterial density according to morphological score (partial elimination group); the group with positive rapid urease test and high bacterial density (failed eradication group).

RESULTS

One year after successful eradication, serum levels of gastrin-17, pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II decreased. Similar changes of serum pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II levels were observed in patients with partial elimination of H. pylori infection. In the group with successful eradication, inflammation, activity, atrophy and number of lymphoid follicles in the antral mucosa fell. In the group with partial elimination, antral mucosa activity and H. pylori score reduced. Other morphological changes were statistically non-significant.

CONCLUSION

Patients with duodenal ulcer after successful eradication have improvement of morphological and functional characteristics of gastric mucosa.