Recent problems of leprosy: an overview of modern research

The relevance of the analysis of scientific literature on leprosy is caused by a number of unresolved issues concerning both biological mechanisms of the disease and its influence on public health. Despite the success in the fight against leprosy, this disease remains a global problem, especially in endemic regions where access to health care is complicated and public awareness is insufficient. Modern research is aimed at an in-depth study of pathogenesis mechanisms, including the role of the immune system in the formation of various clinical forms of leprosy. We present a comprehensive analysis of the recent problems that determine the current state of studies on leprosy. The scientific findings over the past 25 years devoted to the study of pathogenesis nuances, mechanisms of infection transmission, prevention strategies, diagnostic algorithms, therapeutic approaches and polymorphism of clinical manifestations of leprosy various forms have been summarized and systematized. Special attention is paid to the identification of factors contributing to the transformation of disease sporadic cases into epidemiologically significant clusters. Based on a systematic review of publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and analysis of statistical data for the indicated period, conclusions about the critical need to implement interventions aimed at preventing the destabilization of epidemiological well-being regarding leprosy have been formulated and substantiated.