A case of leprosy in Malawi. Making the final push towards eradication: a clinical and public health perspective

Table 1 The WHO diagnostic features for leprosy

World Health Organisation operational diagnostic criteria for leprosy
1. Skin lesion consistent with leprosy and with definite sensory loss, with or without thickened nerves
2. Positive skin smears

In an endemic country or area, an individual should be regarded as having leprosy if he or she shown ONE of the above cardinal signs. Only in rare instances is there a need to use laboratory and other investigations to confirm a diagnosis. Adapted from WHO [5]