Dataset Information

Multibacillary leprosy by population groups in Brazil: Lessons from an observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leprosy remains an important public health problem in Brazil where 28,761 new cases were diagnosed in 2015, the second highest number of new cases detected globally. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a pathogen spread by patients with multibacillary (MB) leprosy. This study was designed to identify population groups most at risk for MB disease in Brazil, contributing to new ideas for early diagnosis and leprosy control.

Methods

A national databank of cases reported in Brazil (2001-2013) was used to evaluate epidemiological characteristics of MB leprosy. Additionally, the databank of a leprosy reference center was used to determine factors associated with higher bacillary loads.

Results

A total of 541,090 cases were analyzed. New case detection rates (NCDRs) increased with age, especially for men with MB leprosy, reaching 44.8 new cases/100,000 population in 65-69 year olds. Males and subjects older than 59 years had twice the odds of MB leprosy than females and younger cases (OR = 2.36, CI95% = 2.33-2.38; OR = 1.99, CI95% = 1.96-2.02, respectively). Bacillary load was higher in male and in patients aged 20-39 and 40-59 years compared to females and other age groups. From 2003 to 2013, there was a progressive reduction in annual NCDRs and an increase in the percentage of MB cases and of elderly patients in Brazil. These data suggest reduction of leprosy transmission in the country.

Conclusion

Public health policies for leprosy control in endemic areas in Brazil should include activities especially addressed to men and to the elderly in order to further reduce M. leprae transmission.

SUBMITTER: Nobre ML

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5325588 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Multibacillary leprosy by population groups in Brazil: Lessons from an observational study.

Nobre Mauricio Lisboa ML Illarramendi Ximena X Dupnik Kathryn Margaret KM Hacker Mariana de Andrea MA Nery José Augusto da Costa JA Jerônimo Selma Maria Bezerra SM Sarno Euzenir Nunes EN

PLoS neglected tropical diseases 20170213 2

<h4>Background</h4>Leprosy remains an important public health problem in Brazil where 28,761 new cases were diagnosed in 2015, the second highest number of new cases detected globally. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a pathogen spread by patients with multibacillary (MB) leprosy. This study was designed to identify population groups most at risk for MB disease in Brazil, contributing to new ideas for early diagnosis and leprosy control.<h4>Methods</h4>A national databank of cases ...[more]

PMID: 28192426

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Dataset Information

Multibacillary leprosy by population groups in Brazil: Lessons from an observational study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Multibacillary leprosy by population groups in Brazil: Lessons from an observational study.

Similar Datasets

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