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Nose forms an important site at which the M. leprae in lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients lodge and multiply. Nose forms an important reservoir for M. leprae, from where they may be transmitted to healthy contacts. Inspite of realizing the above fact, nose does not normally receive due importance during the chemotherapy of leprosy. LL patients, after regular treatment with dapsone or rifampin for about 20 wks and 3 wks respectively are normally considered non-infectious. From the present investigation it is clear that local treatment of the ones with a bactericidal agent should perhaps be necessary during chemotherapy of LL patients to make them non-infectious and to control the transmission of the disease.

The effect of local treatment of nose of lepromatous type of patients with different formulations of rifampicin nasal drops/sprays was investigated in a large number of patients. The preparations were either sprayed or instilled into the nostrils after flushing the nostrils with normal saline at 37 degrees C. It was observed that 10 mg/ml of rifampicin was effective in reducing the BI and MI to zero in nose in seven days in majority of the patients. No untoward effect was seen in any of the patients. It is suggested that nasal sprays/drops may be able to prevent the transmission of hanseniasis, as nose is recognised to be an important portal of exit of M. leprae. Further when rifampicin drops/sprays are used as soon as the diagnosis is made, the nasal deformity may be prevented. It is believed that local treatment along with systemic therapy would go a long way in controlling the transmission of hanseniasis.