Leprosy in a prison population: A new active search strategy and a prospective clinical analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study evaluates an active search strategy for leprosy diagnosis based on responses to a Leprosy Suspicion Questionnaire (LSQ), and analyzing the clinical, immunoepidemiological and follow-up aspects for individuals living in a prison population.

Methods

A cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire posing 14 questions about leprosy symptoms and signs that was distributed to 1,400 prisoners. This was followed by dermatoneurological examination, anti-PGL-I serology and RLEP-PCR. Those without leprosy were placed in the Non-leprosy Group (NLG, n = 1,216) and those diagnosed with clinical symptoms of leprosy were placed in the Leprosy Group (LG, n = 34).

Findings

In total, 896 LSQ were returned (64%), and 187 (20.9%) of the responses were deemed as posi

SUBMITTER: Bernardes Filho F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7771850 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature