02450nas a2200289   4500000000100000008004100001260002100042653002300063653001100086653002600097653002400123653001200147100002600159700002400185700002600209700002200235700002600257700002000283700002600303700002300329245012800352856006800480300001100548490000700559520158000566022001402146       2026                            d  c09/2026bMDPI AG10aHansen’s disease10aSonora10aMycobacterium leprae 10aRetrospective study10aleprosy1 aPreciado Gocobachi EE1 aSalgado Salomón MA1 aNavarro Armendariz GA1 aTrujillo López S1 aDe la Torre Othón SA1 aAdam Sánchez J1 aÁlvarez Hernández G1 aLaureano Eugenio J00aLeprosy in Sonora, Mexico: A 14-Year Retrospective Study of Clinical, Epidemiological, and Sociodemographic Characteristics  uhttps://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/11/10/278/pdf?version=1791950485  a1 - 110 v113 a<jats:p>Leprosy remains a public health challenge due to delayed diagnosis, disability, and persistent transmission despite the availability of effective treatment. This study aimed to describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological profile of leprosy in the state of Sonora, Mexico, from 2011 to 2024. A descriptive, observational, retrospective study was conducted using data from the state leprosy registry. Sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological variables were analyzed through descriptive statistics, and annual incidence and prevalence rates were calculated. A total of 78 cases were identified during the study period. Patients had a mean age of 43.9 years, and sex distribution was nearly equal. Most cases occurred in urban areas, with Hermosillo and Cajeme accounting for the largest proportions. Lepromatous leprosy was the predominant clinical form (61.3%), and 72% of patients were classified as multibacillary. Disability at diagnosis was present in 66.6% of patients, while the mean interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was 47.8 months. Annual incidence and prevalence rates remained low but fluctuated throughout the study period, with new cases reported every year. Most patients reported probable acquisition within Sonora, and routine medical consultation was the main mode of case detection. These findings indicate that delayed diagnosis and disability remain major challenges in Sonora, highlighting the need for improved early detection strategies, strengthened surveillance, and enhanced medical training in leprosy.</jats:p>  a2414-6366