World
Health Organization (1995) opined that leprosy can be classified on the basis
of clinical manifestation and the skin smear result. In the classification of
leprosy based on skin smears, the following are evolved.
Health Organization (1995) opined that leprosy can be classified on the basis
of clinical manifestation and the skin smear result. In the classification of
leprosy based on skin smears, the following are evolved.
v Patient
showing negative smears at one sites are grouped as paucibacillary leprosy (PB)
showing negative smears at one sites are grouped as paucibacillary leprosy (PB)
v Patients
showing positive smears at all sites are grouped as having multi-bacillary
leprosy (MB).
showing positive smears at all sites are grouped as having multi-bacillary
leprosy (MB).
However
in practice most programmes use clinical criteria for classifying and deciding
the appropriate treatment regimen for individual patients, particularly in view
of the non-availability of non-dependability of the skin-smear services. The
clinical classification for the purpose of treatment includes the use of number
of skin lesions and nerves involved as the basis for grouping leprosy patients
in multi-bacillary (MB) and paucibacillary (PB) leprosy.
in practice most programmes use clinical criteria for classifying and deciding
the appropriate treatment regimen for individual patients, particularly in view
of the non-availability of non-dependability of the skin-smear services. The
clinical classification for the purpose of treatment includes the use of number
of skin lesions and nerves involved as the basis for grouping leprosy patients
in multi-bacillary (MB) and paucibacillary (PB) leprosy.
According
to Fidelis (1958) while classifying leprosy, it is particularly important to
ensure that patients with multibacillary disease are not treated with the
regimen for the paucibacillary form of the disease.
to Fidelis (1958) while classifying leprosy, it is particularly important to
ensure that patients with multibacillary disease are not treated with the
regimen for the paucibacillary form of the disease.
According
to Leiker and Nunzi (2004) in their book “leprosy in the light skin” explained
that leprosy can be present with different clinical signs. The resistance of
individuals varies from very strong to Nil, with all possible grades in
between. Thus leprosy can be characterized by high resistance and low number of
bacilli (tuberculoid leprosy); between and very low resistance and high number
of bacilli (lepromatous leprosy). He further explained that between these two
ends of the spectrum, there is decrease in resistance and increase in the
number of bacilli in the body giving rise to bonderline tuberculoid and
bonderline lepromatous kinds of leprosy.
to Leiker and Nunzi (2004) in their book “leprosy in the light skin” explained
that leprosy can be present with different clinical signs. The resistance of
individuals varies from very strong to Nil, with all possible grades in
between. Thus leprosy can be characterized by high resistance and low number of
bacilli (tuberculoid leprosy); between and very low resistance and high number
of bacilli (lepromatous leprosy). He further explained that between these two
ends of the spectrum, there is decrease in resistance and increase in the
number of bacilli in the body giving rise to bonderline tuberculoid and
bonderline lepromatous kinds of leprosy.