02284nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001000042653002100052100002100073700001800094700001200112700001300124700001400137700001400151700001400165700001500179245012300194856009800317300001200415490000700427520159400434022001402028       2021                            d  bLepra10aGeneral Medicine1 aN’Golo David C1 aChristiane AA1 aHenry K1 aRoger DB1 aSolange K1 aJoseph DA1 aVagamon B1 aMireille D00aFirst cases of Mycobacterium leprae (Hansen’s disease) detection in Côte d’Ivoire using molecular diagnosis (PCR)  uhttps://leprosyreview.org/admin/public/api/lepra/website/getDownload/61b85938afaac14a413f4e48  a406-4110 v923 a<p>Background</p>

<p>Leprosy is a skin disease caused by&nbsp;Mycobacterium leprae. It is the&nbsp;second&nbsp;mycobacterial disease after tuberculosis still presenting a public health problem in many countries today. With the advent of multidrug therapy in 1982, much progress has been made in the fight against this disease, which causes severe social consequences. Côte d’Ivoire, like many African countries, reached the elimination threshold of disease and MDT is available throughout the country. However, Côte d’Ivoire has not managed to break the chain of transmission of&nbsp;M. leprae. Thus, in the country where leprosy is endemic, the number of Grade II disabilities observed remains significant.</p>

<p>Methods and results</p>

<p>The diagnosis of infection is often made by default, based only on clinical and microscopic evidence; we are committed to implementing PCR, a previously unavailable diagnostic tool, to help confirm suspected leprosy cases. Samples consisting of nasal mucus and slits skin smears were collected from 39&nbsp;suspect cases for confirmation by PCR. DNA was extracted and amplified, targeting&nbsp;M.&nbsp;leprae&nbsp;repeated elements (RLEP). Results showed a PCR positivity rate of 38.5%. PCR products of the repetitive elements were sequenced and BLASTn&nbsp;analysis confirmed that the amplified products obtained were part of the&nbsp;M. leprae&nbsp;genome.</p>

<p>PCR is now available for confirmation of leprosy cases in Côte d’Ivoire. This will help to reduce the consequences of leprosy and promote its elimination.</p>
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