Tuberculoid leprosy: Difference between revisions

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'''Tuberculoid leprosy''' is a form of [[leprosy]] that represents one pole of the spectrum of clinical presentations for the disease. It is characterized by a few well-demarcated, hypo-pigmented and anaesthetic skin lesions, and peripheral nerve thickening. The disease is caused by the bacterium ''[[Mycobacterium leprae]]''.
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
==Etiology==
| name          = Tuberculoid leprosy
Tuberculoid leprosy is caused by ''Mycobacterium leprae'', a slow-growing type of bacteria that causes leprosy. The bacteria multiply very slowly and the incubation period of the disease is about five years. Symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear.
| image          = [[File:Leprosy_-_Tuberculoid_(TT)_-_1.jpg]]
 
| image_size    = 250px
| alt            =
| caption        = Tuberculoid leprosy skin lesion
| field          = [[Infectious disease]]
| symptoms      = [[Hypopigmented]] skin lesions, [[anesthesia (loss of sensation)|loss of sensation]]
| complications  = [[Nerve damage]], [[disability]]
| onset          = Gradual
| duration      = Long term
| causes        = [[Mycobacterium leprae]]
| risks          = Close contact with untreated cases
| diagnosis      = [[Skin biopsy]], [[slit-skin smear]]
| differential  = [[Vitiligo]], [[tinea versicolor]], [[sarcoidosis]]
| prevention    = [[BCG vaccine]], avoiding close contact
| treatment      = [[Multidrug therapy]] (MDT)
| medication    = [[Dapsone]], [[rifampicin]]
| prognosis      = Good with treatment
| frequency      = Less common than [[lepromatous leprosy]]
}}
'''Tuberculoid leprosy''' is a form of [[leprosy]] characterized by a strong [[immune response]] to the bacterium ''[[Mycobacterium leprae]]''. It is one of the two major forms of leprosy, the other being [[lepromatous leprosy]]. Tuberculoid leprosy is considered to be a less severe form of the disease.
==Clinical features==
Tuberculoid leprosy presents with a limited number of skin lesions, which are often dry, hairless, and hypopigmented. These lesions are typically anesthetic due to the involvement of peripheral [[nerves]]. The immune response in tuberculoid leprosy is characterized by a strong [[cell-mediated immunity]], which helps to contain the infection but also leads to nerve damage.
==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==
In tuberculoid leprosy, the immune response is stronger and there are fewer bacteria present than in other forms of leprosy. The skin lesions are fewer and are characterized by a sharp border and a clear center. The affected skin might be reddened and warm to the touch, and there may be loss of sensation in the affected area.
The pathophysiology of tuberculoid leprosy involves a robust [[Th1 immune response]], which is effective in controlling the proliferation of ''Mycobacterium leprae''. This immune response results in the formation of [[granulomas]] in the skin and nerves, which are collections of immune cells that attempt to wall off the bacteria.
 
==Clinical Presentation==
Patients with tuberculoid leprosy may have a single skin lesion or a few scattered skin lesions, which are usually dry, hairless, and have lost sensation due to damage to the underlying nerves. The lesions may be lighter than the person's normal skin color or may be reddened from inflammation.  
 
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The diagnosis of tuberculoid leprosy is primarily based on the clinical symptoms. Skin smears taken from the earlobe or from skin lesions can be examined under a microscope for the presence of ''Mycobacterium leprae''.  
Diagnosis of tuberculoid leprosy is based on clinical examination, skin smears, and [[skin biopsy]]. The skin lesions in tuberculoid leprosy are often paucibacillary, meaning they contain few bacteria, which can make diagnosis challenging. Histopathological examination of a biopsy can reveal the presence of granulomas and nerve involvement.
 
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
The treatment for tuberculoid leprosy is with a combination of antibiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a combination of dapsone and rifampicin for six months.
The treatment of tuberculoid leprosy involves [[multidrug therapy]] (MDT) as recommended by the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO). The standard regimen includes [[dapsone]] and [[rifampicin]] for a period of six months. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent nerve damage and disability.
 
==Prognosis==
==Epidemiology==
The prognosis for individuals with tuberculoid leprosy is generally good, especially with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The strong immune response helps to limit the spread of the bacteria, and most patients respond well to therapy. However, nerve damage can be permanent if not treated promptly.
Tuberculoid leprosy is more common in temperate and tropical climates. It is not highly contagious and it is believed that it is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases.
 
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Leprosy]]
* [[Leprosy]]
* [[Lepromatous leprosy]]
* [[Lepromatous leprosy]]
* [[Mycobacterium leprae]]
* [[Mycobacterium leprae]]
* [[Dapsone]]
{{Gram-positive actinobacteria diseases}}
* [[Rifampicin]]
[[Category:Bacterium-related cutaneous conditions]]
 
{{Cutaneous-infection-stub}}
[[Category:Leprosy]]
[[Category:Skin conditions]]
[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]]
 
{{stub}}

Latest revision as of 19:31, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Tuberculoid leprosy
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Hypopigmented skin lesions, loss of sensation
Complications Nerve damage, disability
Onset Gradual
Duration Long term
Types N/A
Causes Mycobacterium leprae
Risks Close contact with untreated cases
Diagnosis Skin biopsy, slit-skin smear
Differential diagnosis Vitiligo, tinea versicolor, sarcoidosis
Prevention BCG vaccine, avoiding close contact
Treatment Multidrug therapy (MDT)
Medication Dapsone, rifampicin
Prognosis Good with treatment
Frequency Less common than lepromatous leprosy
Deaths N/A


Tuberculoid leprosy is a form of leprosy characterized by a strong immune response to the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It is one of the two major forms of leprosy, the other being lepromatous leprosy. Tuberculoid leprosy is considered to be a less severe form of the disease.

Clinical features[edit]

Tuberculoid leprosy presents with a limited number of skin lesions, which are often dry, hairless, and hypopigmented. These lesions are typically anesthetic due to the involvement of peripheral nerves. The immune response in tuberculoid leprosy is characterized by a strong cell-mediated immunity, which helps to contain the infection but also leads to nerve damage.

Pathophysiology[edit]

The pathophysiology of tuberculoid leprosy involves a robust Th1 immune response, which is effective in controlling the proliferation of Mycobacterium leprae. This immune response results in the formation of granulomas in the skin and nerves, which are collections of immune cells that attempt to wall off the bacteria.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of tuberculoid leprosy is based on clinical examination, skin smears, and skin biopsy. The skin lesions in tuberculoid leprosy are often paucibacillary, meaning they contain few bacteria, which can make diagnosis challenging. Histopathological examination of a biopsy can reveal the presence of granulomas and nerve involvement.

Treatment[edit]

The treatment of tuberculoid leprosy involves multidrug therapy (MDT) as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The standard regimen includes dapsone and rifampicin for a period of six months. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent nerve damage and disability.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis for individuals with tuberculoid leprosy is generally good, especially with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The strong immune response helps to limit the spread of the bacteria, and most patients respond well to therapy. However, nerve damage can be permanent if not treated promptly.

See also[edit]

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