Hansen's disease and COVID‐19 co‐infection in Brazil

• Published in: International journal of dermatology Vol. 61; no. 12; pp. 1506 - 1510
• Main Authors: Repsold, Taynah Alves Rocha, Collin, Simon M., Bouth, Raquel Carvalho, Cerqueira, Selma Regina Penha Silva, Brezinscki, Marisa Simon, Peixoto, Rebeca Ruppert Galarda Baptista, Fonseca, Andrea Maia Fernandes de Araújo, Peixoto, Marlene Leandro dos Santos, Rabelo Mendes, Seyna, Gomes, Ciro Martins, Salgado, Claudio Guedes, Deps, Patrícia D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-12-2022; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Chemotherapy; COVID-19; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Drug therapy; Fatalities; Health services; Hypertension; Infections; Leprosy; Neuritis; Pandemics; Patients; Prednisone; Vaccines; Viral diseases; Brazil
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16319

Background
The implications of COVID‐19 co‐infection in patients under treatment for Hansen's disease (HD, leprosy) remain uncertain. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes in patients with HD and COVID‐19 in Brazil.
Methods
Cross‐sectional study recruiting adult HD patients with PCR‐confirmed COVID‐19 from five HD treatment centers in Brazil between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. At the time of this study, no patient had received COVID‐19 vaccine.
Results
Of 1377 patients under treatment for HD, 70 (5.1%) were diagnosed with COVID‐19. Of these, 41 (58.6%) had PCR‐confirmed COVID‐19, comprising 19 men and 22 women, aged 24–67 (median 45) years. HD was multibacillary in 39/41 patients. Eight patients ceased WHO Multi‐Drug Therapy for HD, three for lack of drugs, two because of COVID‐19, and three for other reasons. Of the 33 who continued treatment, 26 were on the standard regimen and seven an alternative regimen. Seventeen patients were receiving oral prednisone, including nine patients with type 1 reaction, four with type 2 reaction, three with neuritis, and one with rheumatologic disease. Twelve patients were hospitalized for COVID‐19, and six patients died, of whom three had hypertension and one also had type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Conclusions
COVID‐19 and Hansen's disease co‐infection did not appear to change the clinical picture of either disease in this cross‐sectional study. The wider impact of the pandemic on persons affected by HD requires follow‐up and monitoring.