Nota Técnica N. 11/2021 - GVEDT - 03816 - GVECEDN/GVE/SUVISA - nota técnica sobre recidiva em hanseníase / Technical Note N. 11/2021 - GVEDT - 03816 - GVECEDN/GVE/SUVISA - technical note on relapse in leprosy

Considerando o elevado número de casos de recidivas em hanseníase registrados no Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) em diferentes regionais e municípios do Estado de Goiás, que os casos de recidiva são raros, geralmente ocorrem em período superior a cinco anos após a cura e que é importante avaliar a diferença entre quadros reacionais e recidiva, elabora-se essa nota informativa

Considering the high number of cases of relapses in leprosy registered in the National System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) in different regions and municipalities of the State of Goiás, that cases of relapse are rare, usually occurring in a period longer than five years after cure and that it is important to assess the difference between reactional conditions and relapse, this information note is prepared

Classification and general aspects of leprosy

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease whose etiological agent is Mycobacterium leprae. Recently, Mycobacterium lepromatosis is also implicated as a causative agent and has been identified in different forms of the disesase. Leprosy is a comples disease from a clinical histopathological, and molecular point of view. The wide complex disease from a clinical, histopathological characteristics observed throughout the disease spectrum and reactions render it a challenging disease in clinical and pathological practice. This chapter discusses the main aspects of the disease and its hispathological classification. An important approach to the bacilloscopic examination, which is fundamental for the histopathological classification of the disease, showing its quantitative and qualitative aspects, is discussed. the various photographic panels demonstrate the bacillus' ability to parasitize different types of tissues and cells of the skin and other organs of the human body...

Functional biomarker signatures of circulating T-cells and its association with distinct clinical status of leprosy patients and their respective household contacts.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease classified into two subgroups for therapeutic purposes: paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB), closely related to the host immune responses. In this context it is noteworthy looking for immunological biomarkers applicable as complementary diagnostic tools as well as a laboratorial strategy to follow-up leprosy household contacts. METHODS: The cross-sectional study enrolled 49 participants, including 19 patients and 30 healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated and incubated in the presence of Mycobacterium leprae bacilli. The cells were prepared for surface (CD4+ and CD8+) and intracytoplasmic cytokine staining (IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10). Multiple comparisons amongst groups were carried out by ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Student T or Mann-Whitney test. Comparative analysis of categorical variables was performed by Chi-square. Functional biomarker signature analysis was conducted using the global median values for each biomarker index as the cut-off edge to identify the proportion of subjects with high biomarker levels. RESULTS: The cytokine signature analysis demonstrated that leprosy patients presented a polyfunctional profile of T-cells subsets, with increased frequency of IFN-γ+ T-cell subsets along with IL-10+ and IL-4+ from CD4+ T-cells, as compared to health Controls (Venn diagram report). Moreover, statistical analysis was carried out using parametric or non-parametric variance analysis followed by pairwise multiple comparisons, according to the data normality distribution. L(PB) displayed a polyfunctional profile characterized by enhanced percentage of IFN-γ+, IL-10+ and IL-4+ produced by most T-cell subsets, as compared to L(MB) that presented a more restricted cytokine functional profile mediated by IL-10+ and IL-4+ T-cells with minor contribution of IFN-γ produced by CD4+ T-cells. Noteworthy was that HHC(MB) exhibited enhanced frequency of IFN-γ+ T-cells, contrasting with HHC(PB) that presented a cytokine profile limited to IL-10 and IL-4. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that L(PB) displayed enhanced percentage of IFN-γ+, IL-10+ and IL-4+ as compared to L(MB) that presented functional profile mediated by IL-10+ and IL-4+ T-cells and HHC(MB) exhibited enhanced frequency of IFN-γ+ T-cells, contrasting with HHC(PB). Together, our findings provide additional immunological features associated with leprosy and household contacts. These data provide evidence that biomarkers of immune response can be useful complementary diagnostic/prognostic tools as well as insights that household contacts should be monitored to access putative subclinical infection.

Lazarine leprosy: A unique phenomenon of leprosy.

Leprosy, a chronic granulomatous disease, has been known since ages but even today continues to baffle the clinicians with a wide spectrum of clinical, histopathological, and immunological characteristics. Leprosy reactions are mainly of two types, namely, Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 1 leprosy reaction, the preexisting lesions become erythematous, edematous, and rarely ulcerate. Ulcerating Type 1 reaction is called lazarine leprosy. Ulcerations may occur in borderline tuberculoid (BT) pole or borderline lepromatous pole but more common in BT pole. In this postelimination era of leprosy, we report an interesting case report of BT Hansen's disease with Type 1 lepra reaction with ulceration, namely, lazarine leprosy.

Lepra en el siglo XXI: situación y manejo actual de la lepra en el amazonas brasileño / No disponible

La lepra en Brasil continua siendo una enfermedad con tasas de incidencia y prevalencia muy altas, siendo el 2o país a nivel mundial en cuanto a incidencia se refiere, y suponiendo un severo problema de salud pública. Las condiciones de vida, viviendas, alimentación e higiene crean un ambiente propicio para la transmisión de la micobacteria responsable. Asimismo, la dificultad para hacer un seguimiento médico a poblaciones aisladas deriva en una falta de tratamiento de los enfermos y aumento del contagio, acompañado de secuelas neurológicas mas graves a largo plazo. Acudimos en abril de 2019, junto a un equipo sanitario del Hospital Alfredo da Matta de Manaus, a varios municipios del Estado del Amazonas (Brasil), en busca de nuevos casos de Hanseniasis, con el fin de hacer una detección temprana y un seguimiento de antiguos pacientes diagnosticados. El objetivo del proyecto consiste en detectar los signos tempranos y administrar en estadios iniciales la medicación, instruyendo al mismo tiempo a los equipos sanitarios locales en el seguimiento de la terapia, la vigilancia y tratamiento de las reacciones y secuelas, y en el seguimiento de la población sana susceptible. Pretende así disminuir en toda la región (y en general en Brasil) los casos de lepra. Encontrábamos casos predominantemente en personas expuestas a una convivencia estrecha, pobreza y un sistema inmunológico desfavorable, siendo consecuentemente los familiares más cercanos los principales afectados. Esto hará que, ante un nuevo diagnóstico, nos veamos obligados a hacer un seguimiento de al menos 5 años de familiares convivientes. Resulta necesario un control más estrecho de la población amazónica

Leprosy in Brazil continues to be a disease with very high incidence and prevalence rates, being the 2nd country in terms of incidence, and resulting in a severe public health problem. Living, housing, food and hygiene conditions create an environment conducive to the transmission of mycobacterium. Likewise, the difficulty in pursuing any medical follow-up on isolated populations leads to a lack of treatment for the patients and an increase in contagion, accompanied by more serious long-term neurological sequelae. We went in April 2019, together with a health team from the Alfredo da Matta Hospital in Manaus, to various municipalities in the State of Amazonas (Brazil), in search of new cases of Hansen’s disease, in order to carry out early detection and follow-up of previously diagnosed patients. The purpose of the project is to detect any early signs and administer medication during initial stages, while instructing local health teams in monitoring therapy, monitoring and treating reactions and sequelae, and also monitoring the healthy susceptible population. In this way, the aim is to reduce leprosy cases throughout the region (and in general in Brazil). We found cases predominantly in people exposed to close coexistence, poverty and an unfavorable immune system, with closest relatives consequently being the main ones affected. This means we will face a new diagnosis, and be compelled to follow up with-at least 5 years’ monitoring of living relatives. Closer monitoring of the Amazon population is necessary

Analysis of HLA-G protein expression in leprosy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) in leprosy. Biopsy and serum samples were collected from 18 patients presenting with leprosy and from healthy controls. Samples were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and ELISA techniques. HLA-G expression was observed in biopsy samples of all patients. The healthy control samples were consistently negative for HLA-G expression. Control plasma samples displayed significantly higher HLA-G expression than those from the patients (p < 0.01). These results are the first demonstration of the expression of HLA-G in leprosy.

Are we witnessing a paradigm shift in leprosy: Two atypical presentations of histoid hansen's disease.

Hansen's disease is a chronic infectious granulomatous disease with varied clinical presentation. In the postelimination era, histoid Hansen's disease is an important emerging lepromatous subset known to mimic varied dermatoses, thereby making clinical diagnosis difficult and often delayed. We report two cases of histoid Hansen's disease bereft of clinical cardinal signs of leprosy.

Leprosy: Clinical aspects and diagnostic techniques.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a curable infectious disease that remains endemic in >140 countries around the world. Despite being declared "eliminated" as a global public health problem by the World Health Organization in the year 2000, approximately 200,000 new cases were reported worldwide in 2017. Widespread migration may bring leprosy to nonendemic areas, such as North America. In addition, there are areas in the United States where autochthonous (person-to-person) transmission of leprosy is being reported among Americans without a history of foreign exposure. In the first article in this continuing medical education series, we review leprosy epidemiology, transmission, classification, clinical features, and diagnostic challenges.

Why we should stop using the word leprosy.

Leprosy is endemic in more than 100 countries worldwide, with over 200 000 new diagnoses each year and more than 4 million people living with some form of impairment related to leprosy. The term leprosy, as used in the Bible, designated a multitude of diseases with skin manifestations. Biblical leprosy carried huge stigma and was considered synonymous with impurity and divine punishment. Global actions to eliminate leprosy have been implemented but have yet to succeed, with stigmatisation and discrimination against people affected by the disease being recognised as two of the biggest obstacles. In Brazil, leprosy was officially renamed hanseníase (Hansen's disease) in 1975, and the Brazilian experience of renaming leprosy during the past four decades has given clear signs of the benefit of this measure in fighting stigma and discrimination. More recent actions by WHO and many years of advocacy by patient organisations have followed, but concrete and effective measures to dignify language and terminology need to be implemented as soon as possible.

Current updates on dental perspectives of leprosy - Revisited.

The present review summarizes the current updates on dental perspectives on leprosy and the affording factors that are responsible for the prevalence of caries and periodontal diseases in leprosy. It also highlights immunopathological phenomena and reactional episodes of leprosy that occur due to daedal interactions between the perio-odontopathic bacteria and M. leprae. In addition, a brief introduction, historiography, classification and clinicopathological aspects are also been covered.

Expansion and suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells isolated from patients across the leprosy spectrum: a pilot study.

Knowledge of the role of Tregs in the immunopathogenesis of the different clinical outcomes within the leprosy spectrum remains limited due to the lack of studies directly assessing their suppression capacity. We thus tested a protocol to expand Tregs from the peripheral blood of patients across the leprosy spectrum and analyzed their suppressive capacity in autologous TCD4+ responses. Results of these pilot assays show that Tregs can be expanded and exert suppressive capacity, but also that their rate of expansion and suppressive capacity are influenced by the patient's clinical classification, suggesting that they possibly retain some in vivo characteristics.

Perfil epidemiológico e tendência da hanseníase em menores de 15 anos / Perfil epidemiológico y tendencia de la lepra en los menores de 15 años / Epidemiological profile and tendency of leprosy in people younger than 15 years

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar as características epidemiológicas e tendência dos casos novos de hanseníase em menores de 15 anos no estado da Bahia, no Brasil, entre 2007 e 2017. Método Análise quantitativa, transversal e descritiva dos casos registrados no Sistema de Informação de Agravo de Notificação. As variáveis sociodemográficas foram analisadas estatisticamente por meio do teste G, e a classificação das tendências, por meio da regressão linear, juntamente com a tendência ou mudança percentual. Resultados Constituído por 2.298 casos novos, o estudo apresentou taxa de detecção decrescente, proporção de contatos examinados crescente e proporção de cura decrescente. Os casos Paucibacilares se destacaram, com 63,27%, predominando entre pessoas do sexo feminino, com ensino fundamental incompleto, raça/cor parda e com zona de residência urbana. Quanto a forma clínica, incapacidade física e modo de detecção, 26,68% foram tuberculoide, 73,72%, grau 0 e 36,42%, encaminhamento, respectivamente. Conclusão A tendência aumentada na proporção de contatos examinados e a diminuição na proporção de cura revelaram uma necessidade de melhoramento por parte do sistema de saúde no acompanhamento dos pacientes durante o tratamento contra a hanseníase.

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar las características y tendencias epidemiológicas de los nuevos casos de lepra en los menores de 15 años en el Estado de Bahia (Brasil) entre 2007 y 2017. Método Estudio cuantitativo, transversal y descriptivo de los casos registrados en el Sistema de Información de Agravamientos de Notificación (Sistema de Informação de Agravo de Notificação). Las variables sociodemográficas se analizaron estadísticamente mediante la prueba G y las tendencias se clasificaron mediante una regresión lineal, junto con la tendencia o el cambio porcentual. Resultados Con 2.298 nuevos casos, el estudio mostró una disminución de la tasa de detección, un aumento de la proporción de contactos examinados y una disminución de la proporción de curaciones. Se destacaron los casos paucibacilares, con un 63,27%, predominando en el sexo femenino, con educación primaria incompleta, raza/color pardo y con zona de residencia urbana. En cuanto a la forma clínica, la discapacidad física y el modo de detección, el 26,68% eran tuberculoides, el 73,72%, grado 0 y el 36,42%, de referencia, respectivamente. Conclusión El aumento de la tendencia en el porcentaje de contactos examinados y la disminución de la proporción de curaciones reveló la necesidad de que el sistema de salud mejore el seguimiento de los pacientes durante el tratamiento contra la lepra.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics and tendency of new leprosy cases in people younger than 15 years in the state of Bahia, Brazil, between 2007 and 2017. Method Quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study of cases registered in the Notifiable Diseases Information System. The sociodemographic variables were statistically analyzed through the G-test and trend classification was analyzed through linear regression, along with the tendency or percentage change. Results The study comprised 2,298 new cases and presented decreasing rate of detection, growing proportion of investigated contacts, and decreasing proportion of healing. Paucibacillary cases are emphasized, with a 63.27% proportion and predominance among females with incomplete primary education and brown race/color living in urban zones. Regarding clinical forms, physical disabilities, and modes of detection, 26.68% were tuberculoid, 73.72% were grade zero, and 36.42% were referral, respectively. Conclusion The increased tendency in the proportion of investigated contacts and the decrease in the proportion of healing revealed a need for the health system to improve patient follow-up during treatment against leprosy.

Multidrug resistance as a cause of steroid-nonresponsive downgrading type I reaction in Hansen's disease.

While Type 1 reaction in Hansen's disease is commonly encountered, the triggers and reasons for its persistence are not well understood even though the immunological milieu and cytokine interplay have been studied. Herein, we present a case of Type 1 downgrading reaction in which multidrug resistance was the probable cause of steroid-nonresponsiveness and which responded promptly on starting alternate antileprosy treatment.

Hansenologia basica

Apresenta os principais aspectos da hanseníase, incluindo noções de história, epidemiologia, classificação, imunologia, diagnóstico, tratamento, transmissão e programas de controle da doença.

Useful terms for nursing practice in the care of people with leprosy.

OBJECTIVES: To identify useful terms for nursing practice in the care of people with leprosy and to cross-mapp the identified terms with the ICNP® terms. METHOD: A descriptive, documentary study that included publications of the Ministry of Health in the area of leprosy launched between 2002 and 2017. The terms identified in these publications were extracted and underwent a normalization proces and then, were cross-mapped with terms of the ICNP® version 2015 for the identification of constant and non-constant terms in this terminology. RESULTS: In total, were extracted 1,177 terms, of which 26.76% were equal, 4.59% similar, 4.26% were broader, 19.62% were more restricted, and 44.77% were totally different from the ICNP® terms. CONCLUSIONS: The large number of terms identified and not included in the ICNP® show the need for its expansion in order to contemplate the phenomena of clinical practice more effectively and allow better representation of nursing care for people with leprosy.

Useful terms for nursing practice in the care of people with leprosy / Términos útiles a la práctica de enfermería en la atención a personas con lepra / Termos úteis à prática de enfermagem na atenção a pessoas com hanseníase

ABSTRACT Objectives: To identify useful terms for nursing practice in the care of people with leprosy and to cross-mapp the identified terms with the ICNP® terms. Method: A descriptive, documentary study that included publications of the Ministry of Health in the area of leprosy launched between 2002 and 2017. The terms identified in these publications were extracted and underwent a normalization proces and then, were cross-mapped with terms of the ICNP® version 2015 for the identification of constant and non-constant terms in this terminology. Results: In total, were extracted 1,177 terms, of which 26.76% were equal, 4.59% similar, 4.26% were broader, 19.62% were more restricted, and 44.77% were totally different from the ICNP® terms. Conclusions: The large number of terms identified and not included in the ICNP® show the need for its expansion in order to contemplate the phenomena of clinical practice more effectively and allow better representation of nursing care for people with leprosy.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Identificar los términos útiles a la práctica de enfermería en la atención a personas con lepra y realizar mapeo cruzado entre los términos identificados y la CIPE®. Método: Estudio descriptivo, documental, que incluyó publicaciones del Ministerio de Salud en el área de lepra, editadas entre 2002 y 2017. Se realizó la extracción y normalización de términos identificados en esas publicaciones y, a continuación, el mapeo cruzado de estos términos con los de la CIPE® versión 2015 para la identificación de términos constantes y no constantes en esa terminología. Resultados: Se extrajeron 1.177 términos, de los cuales el 26,76% eran iguales, 4,59% similares, 4,26% más amplios, 19,62% más restringidos y 44,77% totalmente diferentes de los términos de la CIPE®. Conclusiones: El gran número de términos identificados y que no constan de la CIPE® evidencia la necesidad de su ampliación para contemplar de modo más efectivo, los fenómenos de la práctica clínica, y permitir mejor representación de la atención de enfermería a personas con lepra.

RESUMO Objetivos: Identificar termos úteis à prática de enfermagem na atenção a pessoas com hanseníase e realizar mapeamento cruzado entre os termos identificados e a CIPE®. Método: Estudo descritivo, documental, que incluiu publicações do Ministério da Saúde na área de hanseníase, editadas entre 2002 e 2017. Realizou-se a extração e normalização de termos identificados nessas publicações e, em seguida, o mapeamento cruzado desses termos com os da CIPE® versão 2015, para identificação de termos constantes e não constantes nessa terminologia. Resultados: Foram extraídos 1.177 termos, dos quais 26,76% eram iguais, 4,59% semelhantes, 4,26% mais amplos, 19,62% mais restritos do que os da CIPE®, e 44,77% totalmente diferentes dos termos daquela terminologia. Conclusões: O grande número de termos identificados e que não constam da CIPE® evidenciam a necessidade de sua ampliação para contemplar os fenômenos da prática clínica de modo mais efetivo, e permitir melhor representação da atenção de enfermagem a pessoas com hanseníase.

Position statement: LEPROSY: Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) or Mycobacterium lepromatosis (M. lepromatosis). In Europe, most of the leprosy cases are imported. However, occasionally a case is diagnosed in one of the old endemic foci. Leprosy is often not suspected because it is no longer emphasized in the medical curricula. Attention shifted from leprosy to tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus infections in the late 20th century, whereby the WHO leprosy programme was toned down in the conviction that leprosy was all but eliminated. The result of unawareness is a harmful doctor's delay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This paper focusses on clinical diagnosis, complications and treatment based on literature and experience. RESULTS: It mentions the value of laboratory tests in classification, follow-up and detection of relapses. It discusses the etiopathology. CONCLUSION: This is a position statement.

Evaluation of the cutaneous sensation of the face in patients with different clinical forms of leprosy.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy can be considered to be the most common peripheral neuropathy of infectious etiology and constitutes a public health problem. The standard routine examination for assessing sensory impairment in leprosy neuropathy basically evaluates hands, feet and eyes. However, evaluation of facial cutaneous sensation is not routinely performed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate facial cutaneous sensation in patients with different clinical forms of leprosy and compare the findings with those from healthy individuals. METHODOLOGY: 19 healthy controls and 71 leprosy patients who were being treated at a national reference center for leprosy in Brazil underwent facial sensation assessment using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test. This test was applied over the facial areas corresponding to the ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular distal branches of the trigeminal nerve. RESULTS: The predominant clinical form in terms of changes to facial cutaneous sensation was lepromatous leprosy (LL), followed by the borderline-borderline (BB), and borderline-lepromatous (BL) forms, in comparison with healthy individuals. The distal branches most affected were the zygomatic (28.2%; 20/71), buccal (23.9%; 17/71) and nasal (22.5%; 16/71). There was asymmetrical sensory impairment of the face in 62.5% (20/32) of the cases. CONCLUSION: The face is just as impaired in leprosy as are the feet, hands and eyes, but facial impairment is underdiagnosed. Our evaluation on the different sensory branches and evidence of asymmetrical impairment of the face confirm the classically described pattern of leprosy neuropathy, i.e. consisting of asymmetrical and predominantly sensory peripheral neuropathy.