Dry skin lesions with marked hair loss in a case of BL leprosy. A case report.

Skin lesions of leprosy that are anaesthetic, well defined, limited in number and dry with significant hair loss generally fit into the paucibacillary (PB) spectrum. The bacteriological index (BI) is expected to be negative or low. We have reported a case who presented with such findings but whose BI readings were high. Together with the biopsy findings the patient was classified as having borderline (BL) leprosy. The role of the skin smear examination and the misleading nature of some clinical features are highlighted. The authors feel that skin smear examinations should be performed on all leprosy patients at the time of diagnosis.