Leprosy Infection Among Healthcare Personnel in Specialized Hospitals: A Review

Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, remains a chronic infectious condition of major public health importance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where endemic transmission continues despite significant global control efforts. The disease, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves, leading to disfigurement, disability, and social stigma if untreated. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) declared leprosy “eliminated as a public health problem” at the global level in 2000 defined as a prevalence of less than 1 case per 10,000 population pockets of endemicity persist in regions such as South and Southeast Asia, Africa, and parts of Latin America. These areas account for more than 90% of the world’s reported cases, highlighting persistent transmission and diagnostic challenges.

Within these endemic settings, healthcare workers (HCWs) represent a unique subgroup that may be at heightened risk of exposure to M. leprae. Continuous and close contact with undiagnosed or untreated patients, handling of skin biopsies or exudates, and frequent interaction with infected individuals in leprosy hospitals increase their likelihood of encountering the pathogen. The long incubation period of leprosy, often ranging from two to ten years, complicates the early identification of occupationally acquired infections. Furthermore, subclinical infections detectable only through molecular tools such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may go unnoticed, contributing to silent transmission within healthcare environments.