Dapsone Resistance in Leprosy Patients Originally from American Samoa, United States, 2010–2012

Abstract

Skin biopsies from US leprosy patients were tested for mutations associated with drug resistance. Dapsone resistance was found in 4 of 6 biopsies from American Samoa patients. No resistance was observed in patients from other origins. The high rate of dapsone resistance in patients from American Samoa warrants further investigation.

Keywords

• leprosy
• dapsone resistance
• American Samoa
• United States
• rifampin
• National Hansen Disease Program