[Leprosy in Buriticupu, State of Maranhão: active search for cases in the adult population].

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the leprosy situation, focusing on the adult population of the town of Buriticupu, State of Maranhão.

Methods: An active search was conducted to identify new cases from 2005 to 2007. All patients with injuries suggestive of leprosy were submitted to cutaneous bacilloscopy and biopsies were performed when defining the clinical presentation was difficulty.