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 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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brazil, Master's in Dermatology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) - Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD). PhD in Tropical Medicine from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) - Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.
Karla Lucena Sampaio
KL
Calado
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brazil, PhD in Public Health from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ). Statistics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) - Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.
Mônica Maria Ferreira
MM
Magnanini
Federal University of Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Brazil, Biomedical doctor. Master's in Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Goiás (UFG) - Goiânia (GO), Brazil.
Rodrigo Scaliante de
RS
Moura
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brazil, PhD in Tropical Medicine from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ). Professor at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) - Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.
Maria Eugenia Noviski
ME
Gallo
Universiteit van Amsterdam, Netherlands, Netherlands, PhD in Immunology from the Universiteit van Amsterdam, Netherlands - Collaborating Professor at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) - Goiânia (GO), Brazil.
Samira
S
Bührer-Sékula
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brazil, PhD in Dermatology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)-Federal Adjuct Professor, University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.
Maria Leide Wand-Del-Rey de
ML
Oliveira
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000276:immunology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids; C045169:phenolic glycolipid I, Mycobacterium leprae; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine