01300nas a2200157   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042100001300055700001700068700001400085700001500099245005700114300001200171520094100183020001801124       2020                            d  bElsevier1 aSoares B1 aScandelari J1 aBottolo B1 ade Moura J00aEngineered biomarkers for immunodiagnosis of leprosy  a309-3173 aOver the last decade, significant advances have been made in the development of biomarkers for the detection of Mycobacterium leprae infection. Nevertheless, given the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations of leprosy, and the variability in the individual response from distinct leprosy-endemic areas, the proposition of a serological assay for the early diagnosis still remains a challenge. Thus, at present, an effective medical intervention to avoid leprosy-provoked disabilities, exclusively depends on efficient anamnesis and clinical assessment, by appropriately trained and qualified professionals. The efforts of the scientific community to develop engineered antigen-based assays, for serological diagnosis of leprosy are covered. Finally, the importance of awareness in demystifying the disease, and encouraging early reporting, is appointed as the first step to avoid disabilities, and control the transmission of leprosy.  a9780128191781