ML Flow serological test: complementary tool in leprosy

Abstract Background The evaluation of household contacts of leprosy cases allows the early diagnosis of new cases. Objective To associate the results of the ML Flow test with the clinical characteristics of leprosy cases and to verify their positivity in household contacts, in addition to describing the epidemiological profile of both. Methods Prospective study with patients diagnosed over the course of one year (n = 26), without prior treatment, and their household contacts (n = 44) in six municipalities in northwestern São Paulo, Brazil. Results There was a predominance of men among the leprosy cases, of 61.5% (16/26); 77% (20/26) were over 35 years old; 86.4% (22/26) were multibacillary; 61.5% (16/26) had a positive bacilloscopy; and 65.4% (17/26) had no physical disability. The ML Flow test was positive in 53.8% (14/26) of the leprosy cases and was associated with those who had a positive bacilloscopy and were diagnosed as multibacillary (p-value <0.05). Among the household contacts, 52.3% (23/44) were women and aged over 35 years; 81.8% (36/44) had been vaccinated with BCG ‒ Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. The ML Flow test was positive in 27.3% (12/44) of household contacts, all of whom lived with multibacillary cases; seven lived with positive bacilloscopy cases and six with consanguineous cases. Study limitations Difficulty in convincing the contacts to undergo the evaluation and collection of the clinical sample. Conclusion The ML Flow test, when positive in household contacts, can help the identification of cases that require more attention by the health team, as it indicates a predisposition to disease development, especially when they are household contacts of multibacillary cases, with positive bacilloscopy and consanguineous. The ML Flow test also helps in the correct clinical classification of the leprosy cases.

ML Flow serological test: complementary tool in leprosy.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of household contacts of leprosy cases allows the early diagnosis of new cases. OBJECTIVE: To associate the results of the ML Flow test with the clinical characteristics of leprosy cases and to verify their positivity in household contacts, in addition to describing the epidemiological profile of both. METHODS: Prospective study with patients diagnosed over the course of one year (n = 26), without prior treatment, and their household contacts (n = 44) in six municipalities in northwestern São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: There was a predominance of men among the leprosy cases, of 61.5% (16/26); 77% (20/26) were over 35 years old; 86.4% (22/26) were multibacillary; 61.5% (16/26) had a positive bacilloscopy; and 65.4% (17/26) had no physical disability. The ML Flow test was positive in 53.8% (14/26) of the leprosy cases and was associated with those who had a positive bacilloscopy and were diagnosed as multibacillary (p-value <0.05). Among the household contacts, 52.3% (23/44) were women and aged over 35 years; 81.8% (36/44) had been vaccinated with BCG ‒ Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. The ML Flow test was positive in 27.3% (12/44) of household contacts, all of whom lived with multibacillary cases; seven lived with positive bacilloscopy cases and six with consanguineous cases. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Difficulty in convincing the contacts to undergo the evaluation and collection of the clinical sample. CONCLUSION: The ML Flow test, when positive in household contacts, can help the identification of cases that require more attention by the health team, as it indicates a predisposition to disease development, especially when they are household contacts of multibacillary cases, with positive bacilloscopy and consanguineous. The ML Flow test also helps in the correct clinical classification of the leprosy cases.

Mycobacterium leprae: aspectos da resistência aos fármacos na poliquimioterapia / Drug resistance in multidrug therapy for Mycobacterium leprae

Introdução: O diagnóstico da hanseníase possui números significativos que causam preocupação à saúde pública. Os casos de resistência medicamentosa nessa doença se iniciaram em meados dos anos 60 e diante do problema, a Organização Mundial da Saúde instituiu em 1981 a poliquimioterapia, associação dos antibióticos rifampicina, dapsona e clofazimina, tratamento atual de escolha. A resistência aos fármacos na hanseníase é reportada pela literatura, desvelando um obstáculo à sua eliminação. Apresentamos nessa revisão os principais aspectos da resistência medicamentosa no tratamento para hanseníase e seus impactos. Metodologia: Revisão sistemática sobre os aspectos da resistência medicamentosa utilizando a pesquisa exploratória como metodologia de abordagem. Foram pesquisados os termos resistência medicamentosa, hanseníase, recidiva, alterações genéticas e os operadores booleanos "and" e "or" na busca. Resultados e discussão: A dificuldade de tomar a medicação corretamente foi um dos principais fatores que acarretaram resistência do bacilo Mycobacterium leprae aos fármacos. Homens de países norte e sul-americanos e asiáticos foram os mais atingidos por episódios de resistência. A resistência medicamentosa é uma das principais causas de recidivas em hanseníase. O principal fármaco causador de resistência medicamentosa descrito nos trabalhos foi a dapsona (46,6%) e a maioria das alterações genéticas encontradas estão no gene rpoB; 23,2% dos registros relatados foram de resistência secundária aos fármacos e, também, sete casos de resistência múltipla a esses medicamentos. Conclusão: Os principais aspectos da resistência medicamentosa na hanseníase são os equívocos ao ingerir os medicamentos e as alterações genéticas na bactéria. Os impactos causados estão na dificuldade de refazer o tratamento, a possibilidade de nova transmissão e o aparecimento de sintomas mais graves.

Introduction: The diagnosis of leprosy has significant numbers causing public health concern. Reports of drug resistance in this disease begun in the mid-1960s and due to this problem, the World Health Organization instituted a multidrug therapy with rifampicin, dapsone, and clofazimine antibiotic association in 1981, which is currently the first-choice treatment for leprosy. Cases of drug resistance have been reported in literature, revealing an obstacle to the eradication of the disease. This paper has the purpose of presenting the key aspects and impacts of drug resistance in the treatment for leprosy. Methods: Systematic review of the drug resistance aspects using exploratory research as an approach methodology. The authors searched the terms drug resistance, leprosy, recurrence, genetic alterations, and the Boolean operators "and" and "or" between them. Results and discussion: The difficulty in taking the medication correctly was one of the key factors that led to drug resistance for Mycobacterium leprae. Men from North and South American, as well as from Asian countries, were the most affected by episodes of resistance. Drug resistance is one of the main causes of leprosy recurrences. Dapsone was the most frequently identified drug resistance in the studies (46.6%), while most of the genetic alterations were found in the rpoB gene; 23.2% of the cases were from secondary resistance episodes, and seven cases of multiple resistance were reported. Conclusion: The misconceptions when taking the treatment and the Mycobacterium leprae genetic alterations have been described as the key aspects of drugs resistance in leprosy and the impacts caused are the difficulty in redoing the treatment, the possibility of new transmission, and the appearance of more severe symptoms.

Diagnosis of the leprosy laboratory care network in Regional Health Department XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. / Diagnóstico da rede de atendimento laboratorial de hanseníase no Departamento Regional de Saúde XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To present the situational diagnosis of the leprosy laboratory reference network in the region of São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. METHODS: This was an evaluation study with a descriptive design. The data were collected by means of an online form filled in by those in charge of the leprosy program in 2018. RESULTS: All 102 municipalities that make up the region provided the requested data, 82.4% (84/102) requested slit-skin smear microscopy and of these 68 received training. Of the total, 11.7% sent slit-skin smears to other laboratories outside the reference network. Only 57.8% (59/102) requested a biopsy, of these 47 had a doctor responsible for taking the biopsy sample and 31 did not send biopsy samples for analysis in the reference network. Lack of an adequate room, few trained professionals, absence of material for transportation and absence of printed test requisitions were described as aspects that hinder leprosy case diagnosis in the region. CONCLUSION: The laboratory network is fragile and needs to be restructured.

Diagnóstico da rede de atendimento laboratorial de hanseníase no Departamento Regional de Saúde XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo / Diagnóstico de la red de atención de laboratorio de lepra en el Departamento Regional de Salud XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brasil / Diagnosis of the leprosy laboratory care network in Regional Health Department XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Objetivo: Apresentar o diagnóstico situacional da rede laboratorial para hanseníase na região de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil. Métodos: Pesquisa de avaliação com desenho descritivo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de formulário online preenchido pelos responsáveis pelo programa de hanseníase, em 2018. Resultados: Todos os 102 municípios que compõem a região enviaram os dados solicitados, 84 (82,4%) solicitavam a baciloscopia; e destes, 68 receberam capacitação. Do total, 11,7% enviavam baciloscopia para outros laboratórios sem respeitar a rede de referência. Apenas 59 (57,8%) solicitavam a biópsia, e destes, 47 tinham médico responsável pela coleta e 31 não respeitavam a rede de referência para encaminhamento das biópsias. Foram descritos, como aspectos que dificultavam o diagnóstico dos casos de hanseníase na região, a falta de sala adequada, poucos profissionais capacitados, ausência de material para transporte e de requisição de exames impressa. Conclusão: A rede laboratorial se encontra fragilizada, necessitando reestruturação.

Objetivo: Presentar el diagnóstico de la situación de la red de laboratorios para lepra en la región de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil. Métodos: Estudio de evaluación con diseño descriptivo. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de un formulario en línea por cada persona responsable del programa de lepra en 2018. Resultados: Los 102 municipios que conforman la región enviaron los datos solicitados, el 82,4% (84/102) solicitaba la baciloscopia y de estos 68 recibieron capacitación. Del total, el 11.7% enviaba la baciloscopia a otros laboratorios sin respetar la red de referencia. Solo el 57,8% (59/102) solicitó una biopsia, y de estos, 47 tenía un médico responsable de la recolección y 31 no respetaron la red de referencia para enviar las biopsias. Los aspectos que dificultan el diagnóstico de casos de lepra en la región SJRP se describieron como la falta de una sala adecuada, profesionales capacitados, ausencia de material para el transporte y de solicitudes de exámenes impresos. Conclusión: La red de laboratorios está fragilizada y debe ser respetada en su composición inicial o reexaminada y reorganizada.

Objective: To present the situational diagnosis of the leprosy laboratory reference network in the region of São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. Methods: This was an evaluation study with a descriptive design. The data were collected by means of an online form filled in by those in charge of the leprosy program in 2018. Results: All 102 municipalities that make up the region provided the requested data, 82.4% (84/102) requested slit-skin smear microscopy and of these 68 received training. Of the total, 11.7% sent slit-skin smears to other laboratories outside the reference network. Only 57.8% (59/102) requested a biopsy, of these 47 had a doctor responsible for taking the biopsy sample and 31 did not send biopsy samples for analysis in the reference network. Lack of an adequate room, few trained professionals, absence of material for transportation and absence of printed test requisitions were described as aspects that hinder leprosy case diagnosis in the region. Conclusion: The laboratory network is fragile and needs to be restructured.

Virtual network: to analyze the knowledge about leprosy of MORHAN volunteers

O objetivo do estudo foi revelar o conhecimento sobre hanseníase dos voluntários participantes da Rede virtual de Mobilização (REMOB) do Movimento de Reintegração das pessoas Atingidas pela Hanseníase (MORHAN) em relação a aspectos gerais, diagnóstico, transmissão e tratamento. Os voluntários da REMOB foram convidados a responder um formulário on line contendo 35 afirmativas sobre hanseníase e perguntas específicas sobre o voluntariado. Participaram do estudo 105 voluntários, representando 20 estados brasileiros, a média de idade foi de 38,9 (dp14,14), 72,4% eram atuantes na área da saúde, 73,3% tinham nível superior e/ou pós-graduação, para 63,8% as atividades voluntárias não iniciaram por conhecer alguém com a doença. O percentual médio de acertos sobre diagnóstico foi de 84,2%, aspectos gerais 83,2%, transmissão 71,6% e tratamento 61,9%. O conhecimento sobre hanseníase foi maior nas questões referentes ao diagnóstico e menor sobre tratamento que embora sejam bastante específicas, devem ser alvo de investimento para capacitação permanente.

The objective of this study was to investigate knowledge about leprosy of volunteers participating in the Virtual Mobilization Network (REMOB) for the Reintegration Movement of People Affected by Leprosy (MORHAN) in relation to general aspects, diagnosis, transmission and treatment of the disease. REMOB volunteers were asked to answer an online questionnaire containing 35 questions about leprosy and specific questions about volunteering. The study included 105 volunteers in 20 Brazilian states with a mean age of 38.9 (sd=14.14) years. A total of 72.4% were healthcare professionals, 73.3% had college diplomas or were postgraduates, and for 63.8% volunteering did not begin because they knew someone with the disease. Respondents correctly answered, on average, 84.2% of the questions about diagnosis, 83.2% about general aspects, 71.6% about transmission and 61.9% on treatment. The knowledge of leprosy was better in respect to the diagnosis and worse in relation to treatment and should be the target for investment in ongoing training.

Cenário atual da tuberculose / Current scenario of tuberculosis

Mesmo após 133 anos desde a descoberta do Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a tuberculose continua ser uma das principais causas de morte por doenças infecciosas no mundo, principalmente em países em desenvolvimento.O objetivo deste estudo foi mostrar aspectos relevantes da doença visando uma atualização literária e a busca de um olhar mais atento à problemática da tuberculose no contexto atual. Foram utilizados 130 artigos advindos das bases LILACS, MEDLINE/PUBMED, SCielo, Paho, Biblioteca Cochrane, WHOLIS, IBECS e Scopus, com as principais palavras-chaves selecionadas em terminologia em saúde encontradas no DECS. As espécies pertencentes ao Complexo M. tuberculosis compartilham cerca de 99% de identidade do DNA,com sequências altamente conservadas, mas diferem na distribuição geográfica, patogenicidade e hospedeiros. O mecanismo de resistência clinicamente significativo para rifampicina é uma mutação do gene rpoB, que codifica o alvo desse antibiótico. Há grandes avanços no diagnóstico da TB, com novos instrumentos de biologia molecular e testes rápidos, mas ainda não substituem os métodos clássicos bacteriológicos, apesar de suas conhecidas limitações. Atualmente, a associação de métodos moleculares, principalmente aqueles baseados em reações da PCR tem proporcionado grande impulso nos estudos da epidemiologia molecular do MT. Embora haja uma diminuição do número de casos no mundo, dentre os desafios da doença estão a necessidade de pesquisas na área, envolvimento político para solucionar as questões sociais atribuídas à TB, treinamento permanente dos profissionais e monitoramento de vigilância dos casos para eliminar a doença no cenário mundial.

Even 133 years after the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tuberculosis continues to be one of the main causes of death due to infectious diseases worldwide, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was, after a survey of recent publications, to show issues relevant to the disease and to takea closer look at the tuberculosis problem in the current context. A total of 130 articles were found in the LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, Paho, Cochrane Library, WHOLIS, IBECS and Scopus databases using the main keywords selected from health terminology of MeSH. Species belonging to the M. tuberculosis complex have highly conserved sequences and share about 99% DNA identity, but differ in their geographic distribution, pathogenicityand host. The clinically significant mechanismof rifampicin resistance is due to a mutation of the rpoB gene which encodes the target of the antibiotic. Great advances in the diagnosis of tuberculosis have occurred, with new molecular biology tools and rapid tests, but without replacing classical bacteriological methods, despite their known limitations. Recently, the association of molecular methods, especially based on PCR, has provided great impetus in molecular epidemiology studies of M. tuberculosis. Although the number of cases in the world has decreased, among the challenges are the need for further research, political involvement to solve social issues linked to tuberculosis, permanent training and the surveillance of cases in order to eliminate the disease on the world stage.

Qualidade da atenção as pessoas com hanseníase na rede pública de saúde / Quality of assistance provided to people with leprosy in the public health network

O estudo avaliou os serviços de saúde na assistência à Hanseníase a partir da percepção de todos os pacientes diagnosticados em um biênio em um município com baixa prevalência e incidência da doença de acordo com parâmetros da Organização Mundial de Saúde. Os entrevistados responderam a um questionário validado para o Brasil sobre a organização e o desempenho desses serviços. Destacam-se como fatores facilitadores: porta de entrada do serviço; vínculo com os profissionais e atuação profissional. Domínios que mesclaram pontos de satisfação e insatisfação entre os entrevistados: serviços prestados durante as consultas; falta de interesse pelas condições socioeconômicas do doente e de sua família; e participação da família no tratamento. Aspectos que foram consideradas dificultadores: iniciar o acesso ao diagnóstico e ao tratamento, falta de resolutividade dos profissionais quanto aos problemas gerais de saúde, que não relacionados à hanseníase e dificuldade no acesso às especialidades médicas, ausência de visitas domiciliares e orientação à comunidade com ações de educação em saúde.

This study evaluated leprosy care services from the view point of all patients diagnosed during one bienniumin a city with a low prevalence and incidence of the disease according to World Health Organization parameters. Leprosy patients answered a questionnaire validated in Brazil on the organization and performance of services provided. Access to services,relationship with professionals and performance of professionals were considered facilitating factors. Domains of mixed satisfaction and dissatisfaction among those interviewed were the service provided during consultations, lack of interest in the socioeconomic conditions of the patient and their family and family participation in treatment. The factors considered problematic were initial access to diagnosis and treatment, lack of determination of professional sin respect to general health problems not related to leprosy, difficulties to access medical specialties, and lack of home visits and community guidance with health education initiatives.

Avaliação das deficiências físicas em pessoas com hanseníase empregando dois indicadores: grau de incapacidades e Eyes-Hands-Feet / Evaluation of physical disabilities in people with leprosy employing two indicators: degree of physical disability indicator and The Eyes-Hands-Feet Score

O objetivo foi avaliar e comparar o grau de deficiência física nos olhos, mãos e pés com as formas clínicas no diagnóstico e na alta medicamentosa, com base nos indicadores “ (GI-OMS)” e no escore (EHF). Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo descritivo e transversal. Com a utilização de um protocolo próprio analisou-se prontuários de 384 indivíduos diagnosticados com hanseníase no período de 1994 a 2006. A média de idade foi de 51,7 anos e 62,8% pacientes eram multibacilares, com predomínio da forma Dimorfa (40,4%). Dos casos avaliados, 33,2% e 25,9% apresentaram algum tipo de deficiência no diagnóstico e na alta, respectivamente. A forma clinica virchoviana foi a que mais apresentou deficiências (47% no diagnóstico e 39,4% na alta) e os membros inferiores o segmento mais acometido (18,2%). Houve melhora das deficiências na maioria das formas clínicas (valor-p<0,05). De acordo com a análise dos dois indicadores, o quadro clínico ficou inalterado em 76,3% dos casos, 15,5% melhorou e 8,2% pioraram. A análise das deficiências por meio do GI-OMS e do EHF permite uma avaliação mais sensível e critica da situação dos segmentos acometidos na hanseníase. Na comparação das deficiências apresentadas no diagnóstico e na alta medicamentosa, houve melhora significativa das deficiências na maioria das formas clínicas e os membros inferiores são os segmentos mais acometidos na hanseníase.

The aim of this study was to assess and compare the degree of physical disability of the eyes, hands and feet between the clinical forms of leprosy at diagnosis and at the end of treatment based on the “World Health Organization Degree of Physical Disability Indicator” (GPD-WHO) and the Eyes-Hands-Feet score (EHF). This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study. The medical records of 384 individuals diagnosed with leprosy from 1994 to 2006 were revisited using a protocol designed for this study. The mean age of the patients was 51.7 years and 62.8% of patients had multibacillary leprosy with a predominance of theboderline form (40.4%). Of the cases evaluated, 33.2% and 25.9% presented some type of disability at diagnosis and at completion of multidrug treatment, respectively. Individuals with the lepromatous form presented with the most disabilities (47% at diagnosis and 39.4% at completion of treatment) and the legs were the most affected part of the body (18.2%). Improvements in disabilities were seen in most clinical forms (p-value < 0.05). According to the two indicators, the clinical status remained unchanged in 76.3% of cases, improved in 8.2% and worsened in 15.5%. An analysis of disabilities using the DPD-WHO and the EHF gives a more sensitive and critical assessment of the status of affected segments in leprosy. On comparing the disabilities outlined at diagnosis and at completion of treatment, there was a significant improvement in most clinical forms; the legs are the most affected region in leprosy.

Escala Salsa e grau de Incapacidades da Organização Mundial de Saúde: avaliação da limitação de atividades e deficiência na hanseníase / SALSA scale and disability grading system of the World Health Organization: evaluation of physical activity limitations and disability of individuals treated for leprosy

Verificar o grau de incapacidades da OMS (GI-OMS) e a limitação de atividades avaliada pela escala Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) pós-alta medicamentosa dos pacientes que tiveram hanseníase. Estudo transversal que incluiu pacientes tratados entre 2007 a 2009, em São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brasil. Utilizou-se protocolo próprio para coletar dados gerais e clínicos, construído com base no Check List da Classificação Internacional Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde. A deficiência foi medida pelo GI-OMS e a limitação de atividades pelo SALSA que tem variação de 10 a 80 e ponto de corte ≥25. De 84 pessoas tratadas no período, 54(64,3%) foram entrevistadas, sendo 31(57,4%) homens, idade 53,8(dp16,3) e 33(61,2 %) possuía até 6 anos de educação formal. A forma clinica dimorfa predominou 17(32,1%), 21(38,9%) considerou sua saúde física "boa". A analise dos escores SALSA e variáveis estudadas resultou em significância aos que relataram lesão significante (valor-p=0,04), baixa renda familiar (valor-p=0,04), baixa escolaridade (valor-p=0,00), formas clínicas multibacilares (valor-p=0,01) e deficiências avaliadas pelo GI-OMS (valor-p=0,01). As limitações de atividades são freqüentes (57,4%), assim como as deficiências medidas pelo GI-OMS (68,5%), atingem as formas multibacilares, pessoas que relataram lesão significante, de baixa renda e escolaridade.

To verify the disability grading system of the World Health Organization (DG-WHO) and activity limitations evaluated by the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) scale of individuals who completed treatment for leprosy. A cross-sectional study that included patients treated from 2007 to 2009 in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil. A questionnaire, designed using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health checklist, was used to collect general and clinical data. Disability was measured by the DG-WHO and activity limitations by SALSA, using a score of 10 to 80 with a cutoff point of 25. Of 84 individuals treated, 54 (64.3%) were interviewed: 31 (57.4%) were men, mean age was 53.8 (SD 16.3) and 33 (61.2%) had up to 6 years of schooling. Borderline leprosy predominated in 17 (32.1%) participants, and 21 (38.9%) participants considered their physical health "good". The analysis of the SALSA scores and studied variables were significant for individuals who reported important injuries (p=0.04), low family income (p=0.04), little schooling (p=0.00), multibacillary clinical form (p=0.01) and disabilities evaluated by DG-WHO (p=0.01). Activity limitations are common (57.4%) in this population, as are disabilities identified by DG-WHO (68.5%) and are directly associated to the multibacillary clinical form, important injuries, low family income and little schooling.

Evolução das lesões nasais em pacientes com hanseniase / Evolution of nasal lesions in leprosy patients

Doença causada pelo bacilo Mycobacterium leprae, a hanseníase ataca a pele e os nervos periféricos, em especial dos olhos, do nariz, das mãos e dos pés. Sua maior morbidade associa-se aos estados reacionais e ao acometimento neural que podem causar deficiências físicas, comprometendo a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Este estudo teve como finalidade descrever as alterações e avaliar a evolução das lesões nasais encontradas durante o tratamento de hanseníase com poliquimioterapia, mediante avaliações realizadas pelo profissional no serviço de prevenção e de reabilitação das incapacidades físicas. Os resultados demonstraram que a lesão nasal é freqüente (69,8%). A lesão mais encontrada foi o ressecamento (38,2%), seguido de crostas (23,6%) e de obstrução nasal (8%). Considerando reavaliações e orientações quanto aos cuidados com o nariz no sentido de prevenir lesões e de cuidar das já instaladas, o acompanhamento do paciente ao longo do tratamento resultou em melhora das lesões em 47,2% dos casos, em manutenção da lesão em 39,5% dos casos, em ausência de lesão em 6,3% e em piora das lesões em 7% dos casos. O nariz deve ser elencado como local de avaliação e de cuidados na rotina de atendimento em prevenção de incapacidades na hanseníase.

Leprosy, an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affects skin and peripheral nerves, especially in eyes, nose, hands and feet. Its highest morbidity is associated with reactional episodes and neural involvement which cause physical deformities, compromising the quality of life of the patients. This study aimed to describe the alterations in nose and to evaluate the evolution of the nasal injuries appearing during leprosy treatment with multidrug therapy. It was based on evaluations done by professional from the service of prevention of incapacities and rehabilitation. The results demonstrated that nasal injury is frequent (69.8%). The most common lesion finding is the dryness (38.2%), followed by crusts (23.6%) and nasal clogging (8%). The follow-up and orientation of patients in respect to care of the nose to prevent appearance of lesions and to promote healing resulted in improvement in 47.2% of the cases, maintenance of lesions in 39,5%, absence in 6,3% and worsening in 7% of the cases. The nose should be selected amongst the sites for evaluation and routine care during assistance in prevention of incapacities of leprosy patients.