AI Article Synopsis
- * A study was conducted on 2,840 household contacts of new leprosy cases in Minas Gerais, revealing a 20.5% positivity rate for a serological test known as ML Flow, with higher rates among males, those over 15, and contacts with severe cases.
- * The likelihood of testing positive was associated with contact with severe cases, age over 15, and being male, highlighting the need for further monitoring of these contacts to understand the true implications of seropositivity for leprosy development.
Article Abstract
Leprosy is a public health problem in Brazil. Epidemiological control actions are based on the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy patients and household contact surveillance. Serological tests for leprosy could identify from among the contacts those at greater risk of developing leprosy in the future. ML Flow was administered to 2,840 household contacts of new leprosy cases diagnosed from October 2002 to March 2004, in State of Minas Gerais. ML Flow was positive in 20.5% of leprosy contacts, with high seropositivity among males (22.4%), individuals aged over 15 years-old (21.7%) and individuals in contact with multibacillary cases (23.9%). The chances of a household contact presenting a seropositive test was related to household contact with a multibacillary index case (OR=1.75), age over 15 years-old (OR=1.38) and male gender (OR=1.25). Follow-up of these contacts is necessary to evaluate the real role of seropositivity in the development of leprosy disease.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0037-86822008000700012 | DOI Listing |
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