Updates on Leprosy Diagnosis: Strategies and Tools Used to Improve Mycobacterium Leprae Detection

Leprosy is an ancient disease that remains a public health problem in developing countries. Diagnosis of the disease is complex and challenging, and is still dependent on well-accepted dermatoneurological signs/symptoms, and histopathological or microbiological visualization, which results in a late leprosy diagnosis. To date, there is no consensus on more sensitive laboratory tests that are widely accepted as a tool for early case detection, making the implementation of surveillance based on diagnostic tests or active case finding strategies essential to block transmission and prevent irreversible nerve damage, disabilities, and deformities caused by leprosy. The incorporation of new diagnostic technologies makes it possible to eliminate the main gaps in the laboratory diagnosis of leprosy with tools of greater sensitivity and accuracy. while maintaining satisfactory specificity.

Since physician and diagnostic tests based on acid-fast bacilli are dependent on the technician's skills and have limited sensitivity, investigations based on georeferenced, active-case finding strategies, serology, point-of-care, cytokines, or molecular search could contribute to leprosy detection and the interruption of Mycobacterium leprae transmission. The goal of this Research Topic is to produce a robust, open resource to collect evidence and experiences of leprosy diagnosis and M. leprae identification, especially that related to epidemiology and/or diagnostic tools that could impact on the actual global prevalence of leprosy.

We therefore encourage the submission of original research, brief research reports, reviews (systematic, narrative or mini reviews), clinical trials, case reports, community case studies, and general commentary, on the following range of subthemes:

• Methods to increase case finding
• Surveillance strategies
• M. leprae microscopy detection
• Antibody titration
• Rapid tests
• In-vitro antigen stimulation
• Immune cell tests
• Cytokine release
• M. leprae identification by PCR
• Biomarkers based on DNA/RNA
• Serological biomarkers.

If you are considering submitting to this Research Topic, but are unsure if the scope matches your study, please send a manuscript summary (or abstract), and we can offer feedback prior to submission.