ADVANCES IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LEPROSY: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. In recent years, there have been significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Hansen's disease. Objective: To analyze recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Hansen's disease. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review. For data collection, the PubMed database was consulted and the descriptors "Hansen's disease", "Diagnosis" and "Treatment" were used, combined with the Boolean operator "AND". Conclusion: Molecular tests and skin biopsies with advanced imaging have facilitated more accurate identification of the disease, while improvements in multidrug therapy and rehabilitation have reduced complications and improved clinical outcomes. Despite these advances, challenges remain, especially in endemic regions with limited resources.