RESUMO
Leprosy relapse is the reappearance of the disease after regular treatment with current regimens and discharge due to cure. In this retrospective and descriptive cohort study, the aim was to evaluate the characteristics of cases of leprosy relapse in the State of Espírito Santo between 2000 and 2005. The investigation strategies consisted of monitoring the SINAN entries, with file analysis and case discussions at the State Reference Center. One hundred and four cases of relapse were studied, representing 1.12% of the new cases detected over this period. The greatest frequency was between 21 and 60 years of age; 59.6% were men; 44.2% presented relapse more than five years after discharge; 66.4% were multibacillary; and 42.2% presented positive bacilloscopy (complete bacilli) and therefore were relapse cases. Negatives bacilloscopy was observed in 57.8%. Prospective studies should be conducted to establish the real relapse rate.