Therapeutic failure of multidrug therapy for leprosy: A retrospective case series in a hyperendemic Brazilian City.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leprosy remains endemic in many regions despite the global rollout of multidrug therapy (MDT). Clinical cure-defined by completion of a time-based MDT regimen-may not reflect proper bacteriological clearance, particularly in patients with persistent reactions or neurological symptoms. We aimed to assess subclinical disease activity in multibacillary patients who completed an extended 24-dose MDT course.

Methods

In this retrospective case series, between January 2016 and November 2023, 131 multibacillary patients treated at the Petrolina Infectious Diseases Service (SEINPE) underwent skin biopsy upon completing 24 monthly MDT doses. Disease activity was evaluated by histopathology (H&E and Fite-Faraco staining; n = 123), slit-skin smear with bacilloscopic and morph

SUBMITTER: Fonseca AMFA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12646476 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature