TY - JOUR
KW - Covid-19
KW - Coinfection
KW - Public health 
KW - Leprosy
AU - Ana Flávia Sobral de Medeiros 
AU - Aline Lidiane Batista 
AU - Sidnei Miyoshi Sakamoto 
AU - Diogo Manuel Lopes de Paiva Cavalcanti 
AU - Renata Ferreira Magalhães 
AB - <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>

BT - Journal of the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine
DA - 03/2026
LA - ENG
M3 - Article
N2 - <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>

PY - 2026
SP - 1 
EP -  5
T2 - Journal of the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine
TI - Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Leprosy: Evidence From an Endemic City in Northeastern Brazil
UR - https://www.scielo.br/j/rsbmt/a/4TvhLp5ncnD4m5n7FYDQvyt/?format=pdf&lang=en
VL - 59
ER -