**Core Concept**
Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affects the peripheral nerves, skin, and mucous membranes. Leprosy classification is based on the host immune response, resulting in different clinical manifestations.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer refers to the borderline lepromatous type of leprosy, characterized by a mixed cell infiltrate and a wide range of skin lesions. Symmetrical multiple lesions are typical of this type, reflecting the host's compromised immune response to the bacteria. The lesions often involve the cooler areas of the body, such as the face, ears, and extremities, and can be accompanied by nerve involvement.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Tuberculoid leprosy typically presents with a few large, anesthetic lesions, often unilateral, and is characterized by a strong cell-mediated immune response.
**Option B:** Lepromatous leprosy presents with widespread, disfiguring lesions and is associated with a poor immune response, but the lesions are usually not symmetrical.
**Option C:** Borderline lepromatous leprosy is the correct answer, as it is characterized by symmetrical multiple lesions.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The Ridley-Jopling classification system is widely used to categorize leprosy into different types based on the host immune response, with tuberculoid and lepromatous being the two extremes.
**Correct Answer:** C. Borderline lepromatous leprosy.
Free Medical MCQs · NEET PG · USMLE · AIIMS
Access thousands of free MCQs, ebooks and daily exams.
By signing in you agree to our Privacy Policy.