Between the 25th and 26th of April, at the Central Laboratory of Santa Catarina (Lacen), a unit of the State Department of Health, training is being carried out to implement the diagnosis of Leprosy using molecular techniques. In addition to technicians from Santa Catarina, professionals from Mato Grosso do Sul and Rio Grande do Sul are also participating.
The training is a joint action between the General Coordination of Laboratories (CGLAB) of the Ministry of Health (MS), Institute of Molecular Biology of Paraná (IBMP) and BS Diagnóstica to train the National Network of Public Health Laboratories (RNLSP).
The test is intended for the qualitative detection of the genetic material of Mycobacterium leprae (bacteria that causes the disease) in skin or nerve biopsy samples, collected in health services and guided by state and municipal epidemiological surveillance. The objective is to assist in the clinical diagnosis of Leprosy.
“Brazil is the second country in the world with notifications of leprosy cases, and the expansion of the diagnosis of this disease with new laboratory methodologies, such as the detection of nucleic acids in this case, is part of strategic actions to improve the fight against this disease that affects our country, facilitating diagnosis and early initiation of treatment”, highlights the director of Lacen, Marlei Pickler Debiasi.
Leprosy care
In Santa Catarina, the Santa Teresa Hospital, in São Pedro de Alcântara, an SES-owned unit, is a reference for care for patients diagnosed with the disease.
Leprosy is an infectious disease that manifests itself through dermatoneurological signs and symptoms with skin and peripheral nerve lesions. Clinical manifestations result in great potential to cause physical disability, which can evolve into deformities.
More information for the press:
Gabriela Ressel
Communication consultancy
State Department of Health
(48) 99134-4078
[email protected]
www.saude.sc.gov.br
@saude.sc
Tags: Lacen receives technicians states training leprosy diagnosis
