02051nas a2200337   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653003300055653003100088653003700119653001600156653001900172653001100191653001200202653002900214653001500243653003000258653003000288100001400318700001600332700001200348700001300360700001300373700001400386700001200400245012700412300001100539490000700550520114200557022001401699       1999                            d  c1999 Jul10aCommunicable Disease Control10aDeltaretrovirus Infections10aDemocratic Republic of the Congo10aHepatitis B10aHIV Infections10aHumans10aleprosy10aNational Health Programs10aPrevalence10aSeroepidemiologic Studies10aWorld Health Organization1 aMilanga M1 aKashala L O1 aMbayo I1 aYajima M1 aYamada N1 aMbowa K R1 aAsano G00aBrief survey of leprosy situation in Congo: sero-epidemiologic profile in correlation with some emerging viral infections.  a109-160 v683 a<p>The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, former Zaire) in central Africa remains the foremost country for leprosy in Africa, with a total of 4877 registered cases, of which 4573 are new cases since 1997. These numbers are well above the regional average. About 94% of these patients are under multidrug therapy (MDT) coverage in the Congo, which ranks 8th in coverage rate among the surrounding nine nations. Available data on anatomo-clinical profile and bacillarity are provided, with reservations on the use of these data drwn due to relatively small sample sizes. The seroprofile of the disease was reviewed with regard to the association of other immunity impairing infections like HBV infection and the recently highly incident retroviral epidemics (HIV-1, HTLV-1, and HTLV-2). The leading role of non-governmental organizations is cited for improving leprosy patient conditions and also for future prospects, where the necessity of coordinated strategies with the government is emphasized. Recommendations for new trends and steps relevant to improving existing and future leprosy control strategies are put into perspective.</p>  a1342-3681