What is borderline type leprosy?

Leprosy (Hansen Disease) In borderline leprosy, skin lesions are numerous but remain asymmetrical. The lesions are usually plaques rather than macules and exhibit satellite lesions. Nerve involvement in borderline leprosy is manifested as thickening or tenderness of local nerves, but the skin lesions retain sensation.

What is the meaning of borderline leprosy?

Borderline leprosy is characterized by the appearance of multiple irregular, thick granular margins and small satellite, coalescent lesions, with usually positive bacilloscopy results. Patients with paucibacillary (PB) leprosy (TT and BT) are treated for 6 months with a regimen consisting of rifampicin and dapsone.

What causes borderline leprosy?

Coming into close contact with the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae causes leprosy (Hansen's disease).

What are the 3 types of leprosy?

The first system recognizes three types of Hansen's disease: tuberculoid, lepromatous, and borderline. A person's immune response to the disease determines which of these types of Hansen's disease they have: In tuberculoid Hansen's disease, the immune response is good.

What are the two types of leprosy?

What is leprosy? Leprosy is a bacterial disease of the skin and nervous system caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The two main types of leprosy are called lepromatous and tuberculoid. Tuberculoid leprosy is not related to tuberculosis.

Does leprosy ever go away?

With early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be cured. People with Hansen's disease can continue to work and lead an active life during and after treatment. Leprosy was once feared as a highly contagious and devastating disease, but now we know it doesn't spread easily and treatment is very effective.

Is leprosy an STD?

Leprosy is not sexually transmitted and is not spread through pregnancy to the unborn child. The majority (95%) of people who are exposed to M. leprae do not develop leprosy; casual contact such as shaking hands and sitting next to someone with leprosy does not lead to transmission.

Where does leprosy start on the body?

Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. The disease is curable with multidrug therapy. Leprosy is likely transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.

What does mild leprosy look like?

A mild, less severe form of leprosy. People with this type have only one or a few patches of flat, pale-colored skin (paucibacillary leprosy). The affected area of skin may feel numb because of nerve damage underneath. Tuberculoid leprosy is less contagious than other forms.

What is the main cause of leprosy?

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, an acid-fast, rod-shaped bacillus. The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. Leprosy is curable and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability.

Is leprosy very contagious?

Prolonged, close contact with someone with untreated leprosy over many months is needed to catch the disease. You cannot get leprosy from a casual contact with a person who has Hansen's disease like: Shaking hands or hugging.

What happens to your body when you have leprosy?

Muscle weakness or paralysis (especially in the hands and feet) Enlarged nerves (especially those around the elbow and knee and in the sides of the neck) Eye problems that may lead to blindness (when facial nerves are affected)

Is leprosy a form of syphilis?

Leprosy was once believed to be highly contagious and was treated with mercury, as was syphilis, which was first described in 1530. Many early cases thought to be leprosy could actually have been syphilis. Resistance has developed to initial treatment.

What can leprosy be mistaken for?

Leprosy has a number of distinct clinical presentations, so it can be confused with many conditions like Granuloma Annulare, Leishmaniasis, neurofibromatosis, psoriasis, sarcoidosis, syphilis, tinea versicolour, vitiligo, xanthomas.

Is borderline leprosy contagious?

Leprosy was once feared as a highly contagious and devastating disease, but now we know it doesn't spread easily and treatment is very effective. However, if left untreated, the nerve damage can result in crippling of hands and feet, paralysis, and blindness.

Where does leprosy usually start?

Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. The disease is curable with multidrug therapy. Leprosy is likely transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.

What happens if you touch a person with leprosy?

Prolonged, close contact with someone with untreated leprosy over many months is needed to catch the disease. You cannot get leprosy from a casual contact with a person who has Hansen's disease like: Shaking hands or hugging. Sitting next to each other on the bus.

Is leprosy caused by poor hygiene?

Adjusted analyses showed open defecation and lack of soap were correlated with leprosy cases. Overall, these results support a relationship between WASH factors and leprosy cases. These results are thus important due to the burden of both poor WASH and leprosy in LMICs.

Which organ does leprosy damage the most?

The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. Leprosy is curable and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability.

Can a blood test detect leprosy?

Hansen's disease is diagnosed based on clinical presentation and the diagnosis is confirmed by skin or nerve biopsy and acid fast staining. In the United States, the National Hansen's Disease Program provides diagnostic services.

What is the first stage of leprosy?

A mild, less severe form of leprosy. People with this type have only one or a few patches of flat, pale-colored skin (paucibacillary leprosy). The affected area of skin may feel numb because of nerve damage underneath. Tuberculoid leprosy is less contagious than other forms.

Can you get leprosy without contact?

Prolonged, close contact with someone with untreated leprosy over many months is needed to catch the disease. You cannot get leprosy from a casual contact with a person who has Hansen's disease like: Shaking hands or hugging. Sitting next to each other on the bus.

What is the last stage of leprosy?

If left untreated, the signs of advanced leprosy can include: Paralysis and crippling of hands and feet. Shortening of toes and fingers due to reabsorption. Chronic non-healing ulcers on the bottoms of the feet.