Aplicação da qPCR como ferramenta auxiliar no rastreio de indivíduos com suspeição diagnóstica para hanseníase

Abstract

Leprosy is a neglected, infectious, and slow-progressing disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Between 2004 and 2023, 2,795 new cases were reported in Governador Valadares, of which 44.07% were classified as multibacillary. Diagnosis is based on clinical examination, with laboratory support from intradermal smear microscopy and histopathology, methods with limitations in the early stages. Technologies such as the PCR technique have enabled early diagnosis. This study aimed to use qPCR to assess the presence of M. leprae in intradermal scrapings and biopsies from individuals with a suspected diagnosis of leprosy living in Governador Valadares and the surrounding area. Thirty-seven individuals were selected and evaluated by dermatoneurological examination. Samples of biopsies and intradermal scrapings were collected, and the protocol was followed up with the qPCR assay. The data was analyzed using Epi InfoTM software. Of the 37 samples processed, 15 (40.5%) showed a detectable result. Of 20 women, 7 (35%) had detectable DNA, while for men, of a total of 17 individuals, 8 (47%) tested positive. Of the 37 individuals, 07 (21.2%) received a conclusive clinical diagnosis of leprosy; of these, 02 (28.6%) had equivocal qPCR results, and 05 (71.4%) were detectable. The findings show that the use of qPCR has significant potential for the early diagnosis of leprosy, enabling immediate treatment, control of transmission, and monitoring of suspected cases and their contacts, especially in regions of high prevalence.