Leprosy has turned out to be a minor health problem in Korea due to implementation of multidrug therapy, intensive case detection and mobile works for the villages for last 20 years. Even we have 20 new cases a year and national registry of
18,000,
elimination of leprosy in Korea will require more decades in comparison with Japan, which seems to be an advanced country in leprosy work but still has new cases not more than 10 a year. As genome of M. leprae has unravelled to public in 2001,
molecular
biologic and genetic research work in leprosy area will progress rapidly near future. Range of leprosy research depends on the state of personal and grant resources in the nation. As Korea has only limited scientist, clinicians and financial
support for
research work to solve problems in leprosy. To maintain research capabilities and man powers in leprosy, it is reasonable to adjust our research works for priorities of the problems in leprosy work in Korea. Diagnosis, follow up and detection of
drug
resistance in new cases using molecular epidemiologic and genetic tools are one of high priorities in Korea. Management of neuritis and prevention of deformities on eyes, hands and foot of post-period of multidrug therapy appear to be an
important
area
to improve the quality of life of the treated patients. Collaboration with researchers in tuberculosis, adoption of methods from them can expand research capacity and keep leprosy research alive in Korea.
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