Trends and patterns of leprosy over a decade in a tertiary care hospital in Northern India: A retrospective analysis

Leprosy Epidemiology According to Leprosy Type in 13 Teaching Hospitals in Indonesia between 2018 and 2020

BACKGROUND: Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) bacilli which results in chronic infections in humans that affect the peripheral nerves, skin, and other organs such as the eyes, mucous membranes, bones, and testicles. Leprosy has a variety of clinical presentations, depending on the cell-mediated immunity of the host. Leprosy is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as paucibacillary type (PB) and multibacillary type (MB) depending on the number of lesions. This multicenter study aims to provide representation of leprosy types and its epidemiology in Indonesia. AIM: The purpose of this study is to find out the epidemiology according to the leprosy type in 13 teaching hospitals in Indonesia between 2018 and 2020. METHODS: This is a descriptive study with cross-sectional design. All patients with the diagnosis of PB or MB type of leprosy who underwent Multidrug Therapy (MDT) treatment between 2018 and 2020 were included in this study. Data collection was carried out by tracing medical records data in 13 teaching hospitals in Indonesia. RESULTS: A total of 2129 leprosy patients were included in this study. There were 232 cases (10.8%) of PB leprosy and 1897 cases (89.1%) of MB leprosy. The average age of the patients is 38.7 years (SD ± 16.2 years). Males are more affected by leprosy (n = 1,441; 67.7%) compared to female (n = 688; 32.3%). CONCLUSION: Leprosy remains as a national health problem. The increasing cases of MB leprosy in Indonesia are caused by several factors including the lack of knowledge about leprosy, the delay in diagnosis of leprosy, and the stigma of leprosy within the community; therefore, it becomes a challenge to eliminate leprosy in Indonesia.

Hanseniasis in the municipality of Western Amazon (Acre, Brazil): are we far from the goal of the World Health Organization?: Hansen and Western Amazon

Background

Hanseniasis is a public health concern in developing countries. Although a decrease in the number of new cases in Brazil has been reported, there is a prevalence above that recommended in some regions.

Aims

Considering the goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) to accelerate towards a leprosy-free world from 2020, the aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological profile and leprosy trends in the city of Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed the epidemiology and trends of hanseniasis between 2005 and 2018, monitoring socioeconomic and clinical epidemiological variables obtained from the Information System of Notifiable Diseases of Hanseniasis (SINAN) database.

Results

A total of 422 cases of hanseniasis (284 male, 138 female) were included. The questionnaire of six patients was incomplete. The highest number of cases (89) was recorded in 2006 (11.7/10,000 inhabitants). The borderline clinical form was most common, with 45.4% of cases. Throughout the historical series, the rate of annual percentage change in the detection of new cases and cases with grade 2 disability showed a decreasing profile, at −13.9 [95% CI: −19.1, −8.2] and −13.1 [95% CI: −21.8, −5.5], respectively. The same rates were observed in patients below 15 years of age.

Limitations

This study reflects the scenario in one reference center and data were obtained retrospectively.

Conclusions

The incidence of hanseniasis in this reference center is declining gradually; however, the indicators show active disease transmission and late diagnosis.

Spectrum of leprosy among suspected cases attending a teaching hospital in Western Rajasthan, India

BACKGROUND

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infectious disease, which mainly involves skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and eyes. According to National Leprosy Eradication Programme 2017-18 annual report, the annual new case detection rate from Rajasthan is 1.27 per 1 lakh population and prevalence rate is 0.14.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study was to determine the spectrum of Mycobacterium leprae infections among suspected cases attending a teaching hospital in western Rajasthan, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Microbiology, in a teaching hospital, western Rajasthan, between the period of January 2017 and April 2019. The records of modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining during the study period were analyzed. The demographic data like age and sex along with clinical diagnosis were also recorded from laboratory register and hospital information system.

RESULTS

Out of total 91 suspected cases, 30.77% was microbiologically confirmed cases of leprosy. Out of total positive cases, 71.43% were male and 28.57% were female. A maximum number of positive (50%) were found in the age group of 31-50 years.

CONCLUSION

Present study gives an insight about the spectrum of leprosy in the region. The large number of positive cases signifies that leprosy awareness and programs aimed at elimination need to be more vigorously implemented. To achieve complete eradication from this menace, newer strategies like effective vaccine development and drug-resistance testing should be implemented.