Epidemiology of Leprosy in Vietnam and the Effectiveness of Multidrug Therapy (MDT) in the Management of the Disease

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic infection caused by the acid-fast, rod-shaped bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy can be considered connected diseases that primarily affect the superficial tissues, especially the skin and peripheral nerves. The social and psychological effects of leprosy, as well as its highly visible debilities and sequelae, have resulted in a historical stigma associated with leprosy. Vietnam has seen a highly significant decrease in the prevalence rate (PR) of leprosy since 1983. From 1983 onwards, with the introduction of multidrug therapy (MDT), the prevalence of the disease has dropped to less than one case per 10,000 individuals from 1995. After over two decades, a total of 109 cases were registered with a prevalence rate of 0.01 per 10,000 population in 2017. It is clear that over the past 35 years, the profile of leprosy in Vietnam has been changed significantly followed by the treatment with MDT. Leprosy has become a rare disease in Vietnam. This chapter presents the trend in the epidemiology of leprosy in Vietnam from 1983 to 2018 and also mentions the effectiveness of multidrug therapy (MDT) in the management of this disease. Based on individual records and annual reports, the prevalence of registered cases, the number of new cases detected yearly, their sex, age, classification (MB, multibacillary; PB, paucibacillary) and disability status are carefully presented.

Mycobacterium leprae transmission characteristics during the declining stages of leprosy incidence: A systematic review

“…Prior to the formation of the National Leprosy Control Programme in 1982, leprosy was a major public health concern in Vietnam. They coordinate basic leprosy services, including technical guidance, referral of suspected cases and treatment follow up for confirmed cases [ 149 ]. One year after the formation of the programme in 1983, MDT was implemented, followed by BCG vaccination for neonates in 1985 [ 34 , 149 ].…”

“…They coordinate basic leprosy services, including technical guidance, referral of suspected cases and treatment follow up for confirmed cases [ 149 ]. One year after the formation of the programme in 1983, MDT was implemented, followed by BCG vaccination for neonates in 1985 [ 34 , 149 ]. As was the case with neighbouring Thailand, a significant decrease in prevalence was observed in the 10 years following the introduction of MDT.…”

“…A comprehensive epidemiological report of leprosy in Vietnam described in Khang, T. H., & Thao, N. M. (2019), with 96 cases registered in 2018 presented here [ 149 ]. There was a sharp decline in the number of new child cases reported in Vietnam over the past two decades, from 105 in 2000, to just 14 in 2010.…”