Table 1. Classification of leprosy

 

CLASSIFICATION OF LEPROSY

Clinical findings

LL

BL

BB

BT

TT

I

Type of lesions

Macules, papules, nodules, diffuse infiltration

Macules, papules, plaques, infiltration

Plaques and domeshaped, punched-out lesions

Infiltrated plaques

Infiltrated plaques, often hypopigmented

Macules, often hypopigmented

Number

Numerous

Many

Many

Single, usually with satellite lesions, or more than 5 lesions

One or few (up to 5) lesions

One or few

Distribution

Symmetric

Tendency to symmetry

Evident asymmetry

Asymmetric

Localized, asymmetric

Variable

Definition

Vague, difficult to distinguish normal versus affected skin

Less well- defined borders

Less well-defined borders

Well-defined, sharp borders

Well-defined, sharp borders

Not always defined

Sensation

Not affected

Diminished

Diminished

Absent

Absent

Impaired

Bacilli in skin lesions

Many (globi)

Many

Many

Few (1+), if any, detected

None detected

Usually none detected

Adapted from Ramos-e-Silva M , Castro MCR. Mycobacterial infections. In: Bolognia JL; Jorizzo JL; Rapini RP. Dermatology. 2nd edition. London: Mosby, 2008; 1109.

 

Legend
LL
: lepromatous leprosy
BL: borderline LL
BB: mid-borderline leprosy
BT: borderline TT
TT: tuberculoid leprosy
I: indeterminate.