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Serology with ML Flow test in health professionals from three different states of Brazil

BACKGROUND: In highly endemic countries, transmission and sub-clinical infection of leprosy are likely and the disease manifests itself in individuals without any known close contact with a leprosy patient. Health workers are social contacts belonging to the same network (the Health System) and some...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Calado, Karla Lucena Sampaio, Magnanini, Mônica Maria Ferreira, de Moura, Rodrigo Scaliante, Gallo, Maria Eugenia Noviski, Bührer-Sékula, Samira, de Oliveira, Maria Leide Wand-Del-Rey
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3900342/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24474100
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132139
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: In highly endemic countries, transmission and sub-clinical infection of leprosy are likely and the disease manifests itself in individuals without any known close contact with a leprosy patient. Health workers are social contacts belonging to the same network (the Health System) and some of them share the same social environment (nursing assistants) as patients with known patients and / or carriers. OBJECTIVE: To identify ML Flow seropositivity among health professionals. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a serological survey with the ML Flow test in 450 health professionals (doctors, nurses and nursing assistants), in order to detect seropositivity in areas of high and low endemicity in municipalities from three Brazilian states (RJ, MS and RS). RESULTS: The results showed general 16% seropositivity, higher in low endemic areas, regardless of whether there was direct care for leprosy patients. Paradoxically, a statistical association was observed between the area studied and seropositivity, as the place with the lowest endemicity (CA) had the highest seropositivity rate (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: The authors suggest these results are associated with a presence of an unspecified link to bovine serum albumin (BSA), carrier of PGL-1 in the ML Flow test, and recommend expanded seroepidemiological research utilizing tests with human and bovine albumin.