@article{103520,
  keywords = {leprosy, laboratory surveillance, Spatial distribution},
  author = {Avinash S and Kanna RK and Ranjani S and Raja S and Konda D and Rudresh S and Narang R},
  title = {Tracing Leprosy through Laboratory lens: Spatial insights from a tertiary care Hospital, Hyderabad},
  abstract = {<p>Leprosy continues to be reported in India despite ongoing control efforts. We conducted a two-year retrospective study (May 2023-2025) at a tertiary-care microbiology laboratory in Hyderabad, India, to describe laboratory-confirmed cases of leprosy. Samples from clinically suspected cases were examined using Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining, and only smear-positive cases were included. Demographic details, treatment follow-up status, and district of residence were reviewed, and spatial distribution was visualized using spot mapping of 93 samples processed, 24 were smear-positive. The distribution of cases reflected the hospital's service area. Routine laboratory data can support local leprosy surveillance.</p>},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Indian journal of medical microbiology},
  month = {04/2026},
  issn = {1998-3646},
  doi = {10.1016/j.ijmmb.2026.101127},
  language = {ENG},
}