Tuberculosis Of Skin

INTRODUCTION:

Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is essentially an invasion of the skin by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the same bacteria that cause TB of the lungs (pulmonary TB).
Cutaneous TB is a relatively uncommon form of extrapulmonary TB (TB infection of other organs and tissues).
Even in countries such as India and China where TB still commonly occurs, cutaneous outbreaks are rare (<0.1%)

Types of cutaneous TB

Types of cutaneous TB	Features
TB verrucosa cutis/ Anatomist’s warts/ Prosector’s warts/ Verruca necrogenica	Occurs after direct inoculation of TB into the skin in someone who has been previously infected with mycobacteria Begins as a solitary napulonodule following a trivial injury or trauma on one of the extremities that soon acquires a scaly and verrucous surface. Presents as a purplish or brownish-red warty growth Lesions most often occur on lower limb ,the knees, elbows, hands, feet and buttocks Lesions may persist for years but can clear up even without treatment
Lupus vulgaris	Persistent ,progressive & most common form of cutaneous TB Caseation is common Small sharply defined reddish-brown lesions with a gelatinous consistency (called apple-jelly nodules) mostly at root of nose Plaque shows crusting and induration at the periphery and scarring at the center Lesions persist for years, leading to disfigurement and sometimes skin cancer
Scrofuloderma	Skin lesions result from direct extension of underlying TB infection of lymph nodes, bone or joints Often associated with TB of the lungs Firm, painless lesions that eventually ulcerate with a granular base May heal even without treatment but this takes years and leaves unsightly scars
Miliary TB	Post-primary TB infection that has spread from the primary infection (usually in the lungs) to other organs and secondary reactivation tissues via the bloodstream(Systemic miliary TB occurs when spread is Arterial) Skin lesions are small (millet-sized) red spots that develop into ulcers and abscesses More likely in immunocompromised patients, eg HIV, AIDS, cancer Cryptic type miliary TB usually affects elderly patients The patient is generally sick Granulomas are of size 1-2 mm Choroid tubercles is the pathognomonic finding in miliary TB Sputum microscopy is usually negative & Montoux test is negative in 20-30%
Tuberculid	Generalised exanthem in patients with moderate or high degree of immunity to TB because of previous infection Usually in good health with no identifiable focus of active TB in skin or elsewhere Erythema induratum (Bazin disease) presents as recurring nodules or lumps on the back of the legs (mostly women) that may ulcerate and scar. It is a type of nodular vasculitis. Papulonecrotic tuberculid results in crops of recurrent crusted skin papules on knees, elbows, buttocks or lower trunk that heal with scarring after about 6 weeks. Lichen scrofulosorum is an extending eruption of small follicular papules characterized by involvement of the sweat glands and hair follicles by causing non caseating epitheloid granulomas in young persons with underlying TB.

DIAGNOSIS:

The diagnosis is usually made or confirmed by characteristic histopathological features on skin biopsy.
Typical tubercles are caseating epithelioid granulomas that contain acid-fast bacilli. These are detected by tissue staining, culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Other tests that may be necessary include:

Tuberculin skin test (Mantoux or PPD test)
Interferon gamma release assay blood test
Sputum culture (it may take a month or longer for results to be reported)
Chest X-ray and other radiological tests for extrapulmonary infection.
Interferon gamma release assays (IGRA)

Exam Question

Farmer with a single warty lesion on leg may be suggestive of Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis
Tuberculides are seen in Lichen scrofulososum
Lichen scrofulosorum is an extending eruption of small follicular papules characterized by involvement of the sweat glands and hair follicles by causing non caseating epitheloid granulomas in young persons with underlying TB.
Anatomist’s warts/ Prosector’s warts/ Verruca necrogenica are the synonyms of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis
In miliary TB the granulomas are of size 1-2 mm
Cryptic type miliary TB usually affects elderly patients
Choroid tubercles is the pathognomonic finding in miliary TB
The commonest focus of Scrofuloderma is Lymph node
Lupus vulgaris is characterized by caseation necrosis
Miliary TB & Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis is a form of Post-primary TB infection
Lupus vulgari is the Most common type of cutaneous T.B.
Apple Jelly nodule at root of nose is the characteristic finding of Lupus vulgaris
Gradually progressive plaque on a buttock with of 15 cm in diameter, annular in shape, with crusting and induration at the periphery and scarring at the center is suggestive of lupus vulgaris
Miliary Tuberculosis occur following primary infection and secondary reactivation
Sputum microscopy is usually negative & Montoux test is negative in 20-30% in Miliary Tuberculosis
Systemic miliary TB occurs when spread occurs via Arterial

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Tuberculosis Of Skin

Tuberculosis Of Skin

Types of cutaneous TB

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Types of cutaneous TB

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