BCG vaccination amongst maternal and child leprosy in endemic area of Tuban, Indonesia

Leprosy remains a significant health burden, especially in the area where the disease remains endemic. In Indonesia, the number of cases reached 19,938 in 2019 and the disease remains endemic in several part of the country. The course of leprosy and its development of the disease are determined by several factors, including immunity. Thus, this paper aims to evaluate and analyze the immunity status amongst child and maternal leprosy. A cross sectional study was conducted in an endemic and non-endemic are of leprosy in Tuban regency, Indonesia. We found significant difference on BCG vaccination status amongst pediatric subject between the group with child leprosy and healthy mother in endemic area compared to the healthy child and mother in nonendemic area. No significant association were observed amongst other groups and other parameters. In conclusion, the difference in BCG vaccination status could be associated with leprosy. However, it is affected by several factors, such as the waning effect of BCG and co-infection amongst leprosy patients.