Leprosy in Colombia

Abstract

Leprosy is a neglected chronic infectious disease produced by Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy causes irreversible disabilities, poverty, social exclusion, stigma, and psychologic sequels. This review summarizes important facts occurred in leprosy epidemiology and clinical outcomes of patients from Colombia during the last 20 years. According to World Health Organization (WHO), leprosy in Colombia is not considered as a public health problem since 1997, when the prevalence achieves the goal of less than 1 case per 10,000 of inhabitants. Nevertheless, 350–500 new cases are reported every year, around 80% are classified multibacillary (MB), 30% with disability grade I or II. Additionally, 7% of new patients are children and adolescents. Clinical spectrum of leprosy is wide and initial stages are difficult to diagnose. Loss of clinical expertise, weakness of the Colombian leprosy control programs, endemic regions located far away from the urban areas, and lack of accessibility of medical resources, are some factors that influence late diagnosis and disabilities in Colombian patients. Leprosy in Colombia affects the poorest population. During 2014–2015, the prevalence of 13 regions was above the goal of 1 per 10,000, these are the following: Atlantico, Barranquilla, Bogota, Bolivar, Cartagena, Cesar, Huila, Magdalena, Santa Marta, Norte de Santander, Santander, Tolima, and Valle. The definition of leprosy elimination as a public health problem in Colombia should be reconsidered, as this country is classified as post elimination stage.