lepromatous leprosy
Noun: A severe, progressive form of leprosy (Hansen's disease) characterized by widespread skin lesions, nodules, and plaques, and significant involvement of the nerves, mucous membranes, and internal organs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and is associated with a lack of effective cell-mediated immunity against the pathogen.
This is a highly specific medical term. It is used in clinical, diagnostic, and public health contexts to classify and describe this particular form of the disease. - The term is used as a countable noun (e.g., a case of lepromatous leprosy). - It is often contrasted with the less severe tuberculoid leprosy.
- The patient was diagnosed with lepromatous leprosy after presenting with numerous symmetric skin nodules.
- Lepromatous leprosy is more infectious than the tuberculoid form due to the high bacterial load.
- Effective multidrug therapy can halt the progression of lepromatous leprosy.
- Classification: In the Ridley-Jopling classification system for leprosy, lepromatous leprosy represents the polar (LL) end of the disease spectrum, indicating minimal host resistance.
- Histology: A biopsy revealing foamy macrophages (Virchow cells) filled with acid-fast bacilli is characteristic of lepromatous leprosy.
- Leprosy (n): The general name for the chronic infectious disease caused by .
- Tuberculoid leprosy (n): A less severe, paucibacillary form of leprosy characterized by localized skin lesions and strong cell-mediated immunity.
- Borderline leprosy (n): Clinical forms that fall between the tuberculoid and lepromatous poles.
- Multibacillary leprosy (a classification term emphasizing the high number of bacteria present).
- LL (the standard medical abbreviation).
This term refers exclusively to a specific medical diagnosis. It does not have figurative or colloquial meanings. Its use outside of medical contexts is rare and typically pertains to historical or sociological discussions of the disease.
- a very serious form of leprosy characterized by lesions that spread over much of the body and affecting many systems of the body