Part 1: Classification of leprosy: Summary

Leprosy can be classified into indeterminate (I), tuberculoid (TT), borderline tuberculoid (BT), borderline (BB), borderline lepromatous (BL) and lepromatous (LL) types. While indeterminate type is unstable and can self-heal, it can also progress of any of the other types. The TT side of spectrum is characterised with higher body resistance, while LL side has low or absent resistance. The following picture shows the main features of bacterial examination and clinical diagnosis for the different types of leprosy.