Classification of leprosy Leprosy is classified by type and number of skin areas affected: Paucibacillary: ≤ 5 skin lesions with no bacteria detected on samples from those areas Multibacillary: ≥ 6 skin lesions, bacteria detected on samples from skin lesions, or both Leprosy also is classified by cellular response and clinical findings: Tuberculoid Lepromatous Borderline People with tuberculoid leprosy typically have a strong cell-mediated response, which limits disease to a few skin lesions (paucibacillary), and the disease is milder, less common, and less contagious.