Current profile of active leprosy in Greece; a five-year retrospective study (1988-1992).

The epidemiological characteristics of newly diagnosed, active leprosy cases (incidence, N = 16 Greeks and 4 expatriates) and relapsed cases (recurrences, N = 25, all Greeks) were studied. Most of the cases were multibacillary, over 50% being lepromatous. The relapses were analyzed by sex, disease duration and residence (rural or urban). Most of the newly diagnosed cases presented with nonreactional skin lesions (70%). The relapses were self-reported and detected mainly because of type 2 leprosy reactions (56%). The main source of the infection for new cases was members of their former extended family. The statistical trend of leprosy in Greece is a continuing decline in a country which already has a very low endemicity.