Korean J Dermatol.  2013 Sep;51(9):705-708.

A Case of Atypical Cutaneous Tuberculid in an Immunocompromised Patient

• Lee JY
• Shin SJ
• Yoo CS
• Kim CW
• Kim SS

Abstract

Cutaneous tuberculids are relatively rare hypersensitivity reactions to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, characterized by erythematous eruption on the skin of a tuberculosis patient. Papulonecrotic tuberculid, lichen scrofulosorum, erythema induratum and nodular tuberculid were originally included in tuberculids. However, some cases are difficult to classify into the subtypes because of their broad spectrum of cutaneous manifestations and various histopathologies. This is particularly true in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of atypical cutaneous tuberculid in an immunocompromised patient in whom mycobacterical DNA was not demonstrated by PCR. However, the diagnosis of latent tuberculous infection was supported by IFN-gamma assay (QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test) and tuberculous lymphadenitis was diagnosed. The skin lesions responded dramatically to anti-tuberculous therapy, and there has been no evidence of recurrence.

Keyword

IFN-gamma assay; Immunocompromised; Tuberculid; Tuberculous lymphadenitis

MeSH Terms

DNA
Erythema Induratum
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunocompromised Host
Lichens
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Recurrence
Skin
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, Cutaneous
Tuberculosis, Lymph Node
DNA