@article{103335,
  keywords = {Covid-19, Leprosy, Multibacillary, Co-infection, Public health , leprosy, Brazil},
  author = {Medeiros AFSD and Batista AL and Sakamoto SM and Cavalcanti DMLDP and Magalhães RF},
  title = {Brazil accounts for nearly 90% of the leprosy cases in the Americas},
  abstract = {<p><strong>Background: </strong></p>

<p>Leprosy is endemic to Brazil. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have affected diagnosis and treatment.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:</strong></p>

<p>Study in Mossoró-RN (2018-2023) analyzing epidemiological data, treatment abandonment, and COVID-19 co-infection.</p>

<p><strong>Results:</strong></p>

<p>The average weekly number of cases declined during the post-pandemic period. The dropout rate was higher during the acute phase. Male sex was associated with dropout (odds ratio [OR], 6.32; p = 0.013). Of the 57 patients tested for COVID-19, 21 tested positive, with no clinical aggravation.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions:</strong></p>

<p>The pandemic has affected leprosy control. Local strategies helped reduce the impact, and co-infection did not worsen the disease.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical},
  volume = {59},
  pages = {1-5},
  publisher = {FapUNIFESP (SciELO)},
  issn = {1678-9849, 0037-8682},
  url = {https://www.scielo.br/j/rsbmt/a/4TvhLp5ncnD4m5n7FYDQvyt/?format=pdf&lang=en},
  doi = {10.1590/0037-8682-0276-2025},
  language = {ENG},
}