Leprosy Mailing List – March 7, 2026
Ref.: (LML) Infolep monthly overview of new publications on leprosy. February 2026.
From: Elizabeth Talatu Williams, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
____________________________________________________________________________
Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to share with you the February 2026 edition of the Infolep Newsletter, bringing together a collection of new publications, case reports, and global developments shaping the leprosy field.
This month's featured articles span epidemiology, diagnostics, training, and social dimensions of care. Highlights include progress toward elimination in Ghana's Volta Region, community perceptions and stigma in Brazil, lived health-seeking experiences in Ethiopia, and new approaches to contact testing and biomarker research. Several contributions explore innovative training models, including virtual reality frameworks for dermatology education.
We would also like to draw your attention to the 2026 Annual NNN Conference Call for Submissions, now open until Friday, 13 March 2026. We strongly encourage colleagues to submit abstracts and share their work with the wider NTD community before the deadline.
In addition, we invite you to participate in the InfoNTD chatbot survey, open until 19 March 2026. Your feedback will help improve the way InfoNTD can support your daily work through reliable information, training materials, and practical tools. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and is available in the following languages:
- English: https://forms.office.com/e/K2DGpvGCqG
- Spanish: https://forms.office.com/e/u2biED6Pk8
- French: https://forms.office.com/e/dS86tBztKB
- Portuguese: https://forms.office.com/e/ccy2giW3A5
Participation is voluntary and responses are anonymous and confidential. We would greatly appreciate it if you could also share the survey within your networks.
We hope this February edition provides valuable insights, supports your work, and reinforces our shared commitment to ending leprosy and the stigma associated with it.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like access to full-text articles not available through Infolep, or if you would like support with literature searches.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth Talatu Williams
www.leprosy-information.org
info@infolep.org
Featured Research Spotlight
Eliminating leprosy from the Volta Region, Ghana: The importance of linking all cases to care
Kubio C, Kankpetinge C, Zeng V, et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. African Field Epidemiology Network. 2026; 9 (1): 1-9.
Perceptions of Hansen's Disease in Northeast Brazil: A Community-Based Study Integrating Stigma, Empowerment, and Social Distance.
Barbosa J, da Rocha A, Oliveira H, et al. Tropical medicine & international health: TM & IH. 2026.
Exploring the health-seeking journeys of individuals affected by leprosy: Lived experiences in selected urban rehabilitation centers in Ethiopia.
Chala T, Gudina E, Adorjan K, et al. PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2026; 20 (2): 1-20.
A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF LESIONS WITH INDICES BY SLIT SKIN SMEAR FOR LEPROSY
Rati Saxena, Dheeraj Saxena. International Journal of Academic Medicine and Pharmacy. 2026.
Detection of Anti- Antibodies in Leprosy Contacts Using a Label-Free Approach with the Heat-Transfer Method.
de Jesus A, Arreguin-Campos R, Myndrul V, et al. ACS sensors. ACS Publications. 2026.
Reconceptualising leprosy self-care as a social practice: a qualitative study in North Central Nigeria
Udo S, Von Benzon N, Paul T, et al. Leprosy Review. Lepra. 2026.
Bridging the gap: a VR conceptual framework in dermatology for leprosy diagnosis training, based on a scoping review
Yuniati R, Herlambang PM. Leprosy Review. Lepra. 2026; 97 (1): 1-9.
Engagement strategies for people living with leprosy: a scoping review of studies published from 1992 to 2024.
de Souza L, Perin J, Drumond M, et al. Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique. 2026.
Other New Publications
Feel free to contact us to receive full-text versions if these cannot be found through the Infolep portal.
Climate change, migration, and refugee as triggers risk of leprosy spread
Hisyam BN, Susanto T. Indonesian Contemporary Nursing Journal (ICON Journal). Hasanuddin University, Faculty of Law. 2026; 10 (2): 267-271
The need for materiovigilance in leprosy-treating hospitals in India: a critical perspective on patient safety.
Pugazhenthan T, Pe S, U A, et al. Expert review of medical devices. 2026.
Ancient DNA study provides clues to leprosy susceptibility in medieval Europe.
Romeyer-Dherbey J, Caliebe A, Ӧzer O, et al. Genome biology. 2026; 27 (1): 1-27.
The development and social impact of the Sudan Interior Mission's leprosy work in Bauchi Province, northern Nigeria, 1937–1978
Shekarau RL, Iweze DO. Social History. Informa UK Limited. 2026; 51 (1): 21-38.
Cytokine polarized natural killer T cells modulate effector T cell function in leprosy.
Sadhu S, Mitra D, Jain S, et al. Cytokine. 2026
Two pathogens, one disease: Rethinking leprosy diversification through ancient and modern genomes.
Lopopolo M, Avanzi C, Rascovan N. Clinical and translational medicine. 2026; 16 (2): 1-4.
The Predictive Role of Biomarkers for Leprosy Prophylaxis in Contacts of Patients Who Are Indices of the Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
Figueira L, Silva M, da Silva L, et al. Mediators of inflammation. 2026.
Brazil accounts for nearly 90% of the leprosy cases in the Americas
Medeiros AFSD, Batista AL, Sakamoto SM, et al. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical. FapUNIFESP (SciELO). 2026.
Childhood leprosy as a sentinel marker of transmission: A clinico-epidemiological study from South India
Jayashree Chinnasamy. IP Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 2025; 11 (4): 551-556.
Colchicine has a Minimal Role as an Adjuvant to Prednisolone in the Treatment of Severe Erythema Nodosum Leprosum in Multibacillary Leprosy
N Chhabra, PSM Reddy, R Choudhary, et al. Indian Journal of Leprosy. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2025.
Leprosy Situation in Dadra & Nagar Haveli in 2017 and its Relevance for 2025
MD Gupte, VV Pai, R Prabu, et al. Indian Journal of Leprosy. Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, New Delhi. 2025.
The History of Leprosy in Italy: From Ancient Origins to Modern Challenges
A Di Guardo. Indian Journal of Leprosy. Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, New Delhi. 2025.
Clinicohistopathological Profile of Leprosy Patients in a Tertiary Medical College in Central Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Shweta Pal, Dr Neha Ahuja, Dr Nashra Afaq. International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Research. Embase. 2025; 6 (6) : 1677-1685.
Clinico-Epidemiological and Molecular Evidences for Reactivation of Herpesviruses in Dapsone-Induced Hypersensitivity Reactions in Nepalese Leprosy Patients: An Observational Study.
Rana D, Shakya J, Baral S, et al. Immunity, inflammation and disease. 2026; 14 (2): 1-13.
Owning the narrative: Exploring the impact of a creative storytelling intervention on Stigma and Empowerment among persons affected by Leprosy in Pakistan
Ibrahim N, Fastenau A, Salam A, et al. openRxiv. 2026
Addressing multimorbidity in Leprosy: A retrospective chart review from India.
Darlong J, Govindasamy K, Gill P. PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2026; 20 (2): 1-11.
Persistent and Emerging High-Risk Clusters of Leprosy Detection in Brazil: A Nationwide Spatiotemporal Analysis, 2001-2023.
Ferreira A, Heukelbach J, de Souza E, et al. Tropical medicine & international health: TM & IH. 2026.
Case Reports
Concurrent Lepromatous Leprosy and Active Tuberculosis in A Young Male: A Complex Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge with Hematologic Manifestations
González JFM, González ALR, Gamiño AED, et al. International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research Studies. Everant Journals. 2025; 05 (12): 2058-2062.
Atypical Cutaneous Manifestations of Leprosy in a Non-Endemic Country: A Case Report.
Ponzetta L, Vita S, Corpolongo A, et al. Travel medicine and infectious disease. 2026.
Grade 2 Disability in Leprosy in the Post-Elimination Era: A Case Report Highlighting Stigma and Programmatic Blind Spots
Selvaraju E. Cureus. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. 2026.
Overlapping Neurological Insults: Case Report of Herpes Zoster in Multibacillary Leprosy with Reversal Reaction
Earlia N, Pradistha A. Indonesian Journal of Case Reports. PT. Heca Sentra Analitika. 2025; 3 (2): 38-42
Marked by stigma, inked by belief: tattooing in leprosy–a community perspective
Nimisha Kabra , Rajesh Sinha , Aditya Abhishek Jaiswal . GMS Hygiene and Infection Control. 2026.
Presumed Very Late Relapse of Lepromatous Leprosy 35 Years After Treatment: A Diagnostic Challenge in a Non-endemic Setting.
Carvalho A, Almeida P, Magalhães R, et al. Cureus. 2026; 18 (1): 1-5.
Histoid leprosy – Dermoscopy findings
Pradeep S. Nair. CosmoDerma. Scientific Scholar. 2026.
Atypical cutaneous manifestations: When leprosy and syphilis overlap
Souza NYD, Coimbra BZ, Barbosa AM, et al. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical. FapUNIFESP (SciELO). 2026.
An unexpected leprosy diagnosis in Nordic patient with skin lesions
Arnhild Binde, Johannes Hendricus van der Stoep, Camilla Sivesind Mehlum, et al. Polish Journal of Pathology. 2026.
Crateriform and ulcerated lesions of nodular lepromatous leprosy masquerading as histoid Hansen's disease
Makudapathy S, Kuppu SC. International Journal of Research in Dermatology. Medip Academy. 2026; 12 (2): 178-180.
Erythema nodosum leprosum masquerading as Sweet's syndrome: a case report
Kazi SA. International Journal of Research in Dermatology. Medip Academy. 2026; 12 (2): 181-184.
Latest News
NNN 2026 Call for Submissions [Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network]
Funding Call: Powering Change from Lived Experience [The Leprosy Mission]
Call for Proposals for FY2026 Hansen's Disease Program Grant [Sasakawa Health Foundation]
Call for Participation in the Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative (SLI) Young Scholar Program [Sasakawa Health Foundation]
Kazakhstan hasn't registered a new case of leprosy for eight years [Kazakh Scientific Center of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases]
From prevention to treatment: strengthening leprosy control in sub-Saharan Africa [Global Health EDCTP3]
Rajasthan overturns 30-year two-child limit for local polls, removes leprosy bar [The Indian Express]
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) is developing AI for detecting skin diseases in Africa [Nachrichten idw]
Research shows that community-based skin screening could improve leprosy prevention and treatment [Global Health EDCTP3]
Assembly passes two Bills removing 'leprosy' references from State Laws [The Hindu]
Punjab targets leprosy elimination by 2027 as only 8 districts achieve interruption of transmission status [The Times of India]
Mizoram Assembly passes bill to amend Mizzo marriage laws [Deccan Herald]
Vietnam diocese builds home for leprosy patients after state camp closure [Herald Malaysia Online]
Leprosy patients in Luri-Rokwe decry armed land grabbing [Radio Tamazuj]
Medical staff told to treat leprosy patients with compassion for curative results [The Hans India]
Leprosy Mission, Others Offer Medical Service To Persons With Disability [The Pointer]
Uttarakhand declares Leprosy a notifiable disease to strengthen Surveillance [Medical Dialogues]
Upcoming Events
2nd International Conference on Tropical Dermatology 11th to 14th March, 2026
Date and Location: 11th- 14th March, 2026, Colombo, Srilanka
The second International Conference on Tropical Dermatology (ICTD), which will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. This esteemed event is co-organized by the Sri Lanka College of Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine (SLCDA) in collaboration with the Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft / German Dermatological Society (DDG).
World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting 2026
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Theme: Reimagining Africa's Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence
The WHS Regional Meeting 2026, hosted by Aga Khan University, will be held from April 27–29 at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). Leaders, innovators, and changemakers will gather to explore solutions that strengthen Africa's health systems and advance global health progress.
Links
Info Hansen - An innovative hub for knowledge sharing about Hansen's Disease
ALLF - Official website of the Association des Léprologues de Langue Française
LML - Leprosy Mailing List - a free moderated email list that allows all persons interested in leprosy to share ideas, information, experiences and questions
InfoNTD - Information on cross-cutting issues in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
WHO Goodwill Ambassador's Leprosy Bulletin
Leprosy Review Repository (1928-2001)
Fontilles Revista de Leprología
HARP - Hansen's Disease Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles
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