Cutaneous Tuberculosis
Cutaneous Tuberculosis
Cutaneous Tuberculosis
17
Cutaneous tuberculosis has recorded an inc- – Hematogenous, resulting in miliary tuber-
rease in its incidence recently. This has largely culosis in an immunocompromised host,
coincided with the general decline in pulmo- especially, in children.
nary tuberculosis in developed countries. The
current situation in the Indian subcontinent &ODVVL¿FDWLRQ
seems to approximate that of developed coun- Cutaneous tuberculosis is a manifestation of
tries of the temperate regions of the globe. cell-mediated immunity. It is divided into the
Hence, it is imperative to study the pattern of following:
cutaneous tuberculosis in the tropics, which Primary tuberculosis: It manifests in an indi-
PD\QRWRQO\KHOSLQGHÀQLQJLWVVWDWXVEXWDOVR vidual not previously infected or who has
enrich teaching. QRW DFTXLUHG D QDWXUDO RU DUWLÀFLDO LPPXQLW\
to the tubercle bacillus. It may present either
Causative Microorganisms as:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, 3ULPDU\ LQRFXODWLRQ WXEHUFXORVLV WXEHUFX
and Bacillius Calmette Guerin occasionally are lous chancre), or
responsible for cutaneous tuberculosis. $FXWHPLOLDU\WXEHUFXORVLVRIWKHVNLQ
Secondary tuberculosis: It develops in an indi-
Route of Infection vidual who has either been previously infected
It may either be the result of the following: RUKDVDFTXLUHGDQDWXUDORUDUWLÀFLDOLPPXQLW\
([RJHQRXVLQRFXODWLRQ to the tubercle bacillus. It is perceived as
– Primary chancre, in the absence of hyper- forming a continuous spectrum with lupus
sensitivity to tubercle bacillus vulgaris and tuberculosis verrucosa cutis at one
– Lupus vulgaris (LV) and tuberculosis end and scrofuloderma and tuberculosis cutis
verrucosa cutis (TBVC) in a presensitized RULÀFLDOLVDWWKHRWKHU7KLVVSHFWUXPWDNHVLQWR
host. account the gradation of cell-mediated immu-
(QGRJHQRXVVSUHDGWKURXJK nity of the host from high to low across the
– Contiguous extension (autoinoculation) spectrum. Secondary cutaneous tuberculosis is
resulting either in scrofuloderma or tuber- conceived either as the reinfection (lupus vulga-
FXORVLVFXWLVRULÀFLDOLV7%&2 ris and tuberculosis verrucosa cutis) or reacti-
– Lymphatics, resulting in lupus vulgaris vation (scrofuloderma and tuberculosis cutis
in previously sensitized individual RULÀFLDOLV
76 Textbook of Clinical Dermatology
Lupus Vulgaris
,WLVDUHLQIHFWLRQWXEHUFXORVLVRIWKHVNLQRFFXU
ring in previously sensitized host with a high
degree of tuberculin sensitivity. Immunity is
moderate, and hypersensitivity to PPD is high.
It may appear following exogenous inocula-
tion or occasionally, may be the result of either
direct extension or lymphatic spread. It may
appear over the primary inoculation site, but it
usually follows tuberculosis at other site. It may
appear over the scar of scrofuloderma or after
Figure 17.1: Tuberculous chancre on the cheek %&* YDFFLQDWLRQ +LJK GHJUHH RI LPPXQLW\ WR
Cutaneous Tuberculosis 77
the tubercle bacilli in lupus vulgaris results in
slower evolution of the disease.
The lesion is usually solitary. The initial le-
sion is a small, brownish red papule of soft
FRQVLVWHQF\¶$SSOHMHOO\QRGXOHV·WKRXJKFRQ-
sidered as pathognomonic of the disease are in-
frequently demonstrated. It gradually becomes
HOHYDWHG LQÀOWUDWHG DQG EURZQ LQ FRORU ,W
shows gradual peripheral extension and central
atrophic areas. The diverse clinical variants of
lupus vulgaris are as follows:
Plaque form: It PDQLIHVWV DV ÁDW SODTXHV ZLWK
SRO\F\FOLF RU VHUSLJLQRXV FRQÀJXUDWLRQ 7KH
Figure 17.3: Lupus vulgaris affecting the lips
surface may be smooth or covered with scales.
The plaque may show scarring with islands of
active lupoid lesion (Fig. 17.2). tissues and cartilage are destroyed producing
Hypertrophic form: It may present either as soft contractures and deformities.
tumorous growths with a nodular surface or Vegetating form: ,WLVFKDUDFWHUL]HGE\PDUNHG
DV K\SHUNHUDWRWLF PDVVHV (GHPD O\PSKDWLF LQÀOWUDWLRQQHFURVLVDQGXOFHUDWLRQZLWKPLQL
stasis, vascular dilatation, and elephantiasis mal scarring.
may be present. Papular and nodular forms: It has also a special
Ulcerative form: Necrosis, ulceration, and scar- character.
ring predominate in this form. The deeper Lupus vulgaris may affect buccal, nasal, and
FRQMXQFWLYDO PXFRVDH )LJ HLWKHU SULPD
rily or by extension of the cutaneous lesion. The
nose is frequently affected with the destruction
of its cartilage. Direct extension or lymphatic
spread from nasal focus may result in the
involvement of the palate, gingiva, larynx, and
pharynx.
Scarring is a cardinal feature of healing
lupus vulgaris. It may be extensive resulting in
the destruction of the underlying tissues and
cartilage and subsequent cicatricial changes.
This is responsible for the deformities and
mutilations such as ectropion, microstomia,
FRQWUDFWXUHVNHORLGVGHIRUPLWLHVRIVRIWSDODWH
and laryngeal stenosis. Squamous cell carci-
noma and rarely basal cell carcinoma, and
Figure 17.2: /XSXVYXOJDULV$ÀDWSODTXHGHSLFWLQJ sarcoma may complicate.
VFDUZLWKLVODQGVRIDFWLYHSRO\F\FOLFFRQ¿JXUDWLRQ
78 Textbook of Clinical Dermatology
Tuberculosis Verrucosa Cutis (TBVC) SODTXH LV XVXDOO\ ÀUP EXW DUHDV RI VRIWHQLQJ
It is a verrucous form of reinfection tuberculo- PD\EHSUHVHQWLQWKHFHQWHU3XVDQGNHUDWLQRXV
VLVUHVXOWLQJIURPH[RJHQRXVUHLQIHFWLRQRIVNLQ PDWHULDO PD\ EH H[SUHVVHG IURP WKH ÀVVXUHV
with tubercle bacilli in a previously infected The lesion progresses centrifugally resulting in
and/or sensitized individual possessing a mod- an annular or serpiginous pattern. Spontaneous
erate to high degree of immunity. resolution may occur at the center. Lymph node
Inoculation occurs at the site of minor abra- enlargement, if associated with TBVC is the
sion or wounds and areas amenable to trauma result of secondary infection and is not due to
DUH WKH XVXDO VLWHV RI DIÁLFWLRQ QDPHO\ WKH the tuberculous process. Classically the lesions
KDQGV ÀQJHUV DQG ORZHU H[WUHPLWLHV ,W LV DQ of TBVC is solitary, however, multiple lesions
occupational hazard for the physicians, patho- have also been recorded.
logists, forensic experts conducting autopsy,
farmers, and butchers. Scrofuloderma
It starts as an asymptomatic, small papule or It is reactivation tuberculosis occurring as a result
D SDSXORSXVWXOH ZLWK DQ LQÁDPPDWRU\ DUHROD of reactivation of the tubercle bacilli introduced
developing at the site of inoculation. It soon during a prior episode of the disease and lying
EHFRPHVK\SHUNHUDWRWLFDQGZDUW\%\JUDGXDO dormant since then. They are reactivated at an
irregular peripheral extension, it develops into a opportune time when the cell-mediated immu-
verrucous plaque with horny surface traversed nity of the individual is lowered. Such patients
E\ GHHS FOHIWV DQG ÀVVXUHV )LJ 7KH are sensitized to the tubercle bacilli, but possess
low cell-mediated immunity to it.
It originates as a tuberculous process of the
subcutaneous tissue which subsequently turns
LQWRDFROGDEVFHVV7KHUHLVDVHFRQGDU\EUHDN
GRZQRIWKHVNLQRYHUO\LQJVXFKDWXEHUFXORVLV
focus (Fig. 17.5). The tuberculosis of the lymph
QRGHVERQHVMRLQWVDQGHSLGLG\PLVLVXVXDOO\
responsible for scrofuloderma. Cervical group
of lymphnodes are most often involved. How-
HYHUDIÁLFWLRQRID[LOODU\LQJXLQDOSDUDVWHUQDO
and epitrochlear lymph nodes are also common.
,QWKHQHFNWKHWRQVLOODUVXEPDQGLEXODUSUHDX
ricular, postauricular, occipital, and supraclavi-
cular lymph nodes are usually implicated.
7KHLQLWLDOOHVLRQSUHVHQWVDVDÀUPVXEFXWD
neous or deep cutaneous swelling or nodule,
which is freely movable. It later becomes atta-
FKHGWRWKHVNLQ,WWKHQVXSSXUDWHVVRIWHQVDQG
Figure 17.4: Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis: Verrucous LQYROYHVWKHRYHUO\LQJVNLQZLWKUHVXOWDQWXOFH
SODTXH ZLWK KRUQ\ VXUIDFH WUDYHUVHG E\ GHHS FOHIWV
ration and sinus formation. Multiple ulcers may
¿VVXUHV
Cutaneous Tuberculosis 79
to tuberculin in these patients is controver-
sial, however, such patients ultimately develop
anergy.
The underlying disease is a far advanced
pulmonary, intestinal, or genitourinary tubercu-
losis. Bacilli shed from these foci become inocu-
lated into the mucocutaneous areas of the
RULÀFHVDWDWUDXPDWL]HGVLWH8OFHUDWLYHOHVLRQV
occur in the oral cavity, perineal, or perirectal
areas. The tongue is the most common affected
site in the mouth, particularly its tip and the
lateral margins. Soft and hard palate, lips, and
WRRWKVRFNHWPD\DOVREHLQYROYHG,QLQWHVWLQDO
tuberculosis the area on and around the anus
and in genitourinary tuberculosis vulva, glans
penis, and the urinary meatus are involved.
The lesion consists of a small, yellowish or
UHGGLVK QRGXOH WKDW UDSLGO\ EUHDNVGRZQ WR
form an exquisitely painful, shallow ulcer with
Figure 17.5: 6FURIXORGHUPD$QXOFHUZLWKEOXLVKXQGHU bluish undermined edges. The surrounding
PLQHGHGJHVDQGVRIWJUDQXODWLQJVXUIDFH
mucosa is swollen, and the ulcer is covered with
form which are arranged linearly. These ulcers pseudomembranous material.
have bluish undermined edges and soft granu-
ODWLQJÁRRUV7KHUHLVRIWHQDZDWHU\SXUXOHQW Histopathology
or gaseous discharge from the sinuses. The histopathologic reactions to M. tuberculosis
6SRQWDQHRXVKHDOLQJRFFXUVEXWLWWDNHV\HDUV can be organized along an immunopathologic
EHIRUHLWLVFRPSOHWH&RUGOLNHNHORLGVFDUVDQG VSHFWUXPDVLQOHSURV\$VHTXHQFHIURPQRQ
localized recurrences are characteristic. necrotic epithelioid cell granulomas with no
Scrofuloderma is usually associated with acid-fast bacilli (high immune) through necrotic
manifest tuberculosis elsewhere in the body, epithelioid granulomas with some acid-fast
usually in the lungs. bacilli to the position of necrosis with abundant
acid-fast bacilli (low immune) can be arranged.
7XEHUFXORVLV&XWLV2UL¿FLDOLV /XSXVYXOJDULVW\SLÀHVWKHKLJKLPPXQHSROH
It is the tuberculosis of the mucous memb- DQGWKHSDWLHQWVZLWK7%&2DQGDFXWHPLOLDU\
UDQHV DQG WKH VNLQ RI WKH RULÀFHV UHVXOWLQJ tuberculosis form the low immune pole. The
from autoinoculation of tubercle bacilli in KDOOPDUN RI WKH KLVWRSDWKRORJLF GLDJQRVLV RI
patients with advanced visceral tuberculosis. cutaneous tuberculosis is the presence of tub-
It affects men more often than the women and erculous/tuberculoid granuloma.
is most often prevalent in the middle-aged or Primary tuberculous chancre: The early histo-
older individuals. Cutaneous hypersensitivity logic picture is an acute neutrophilic reaction
80 Textbook of Clinical Dermatology
8-month regimens
Drugs Phase 1:2 months Phase 2:4 months
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5LIDPSLFLQ PJNJGDLO\
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together with
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or
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8QOHVVRWKHUZLVHLQGLFDWHGGRVHVDUHVXLWDEOHIRUERWKDGXOWVDQGFKLOGUHQ
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DFLG K\GUD]LGH ,1$+ ULIDPSLFLQ HWKDPEX scarred areas may be conveniently destroyed
tol, and pyrazinamide are given together for by cryotherapy or electrocautery.
an initial intensive phase lasting 2 months. This
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ULIDPSLFLQ RQO\ IRU DQRWKHU PRQWKV LQ FRQWL $QRQ\PRXV :+2 0HGLFDO 3UHVFULELQJ ,QIRU
mation. Drugs used in mycobacterial disease.
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rifampicin, and ethambutol are administered for /HYHU :) 6FKDXPEHUJ/HYHU * %DFWHULDO 'LV
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an initial intensive phase of 2 months followed
Histopathology of the Skin. 7th edn. Philadelphia: JB
E\ ,1$+ DQG ULIDPSLFLQ RQO\ GDLO\ XQWLO WKH /LSSLQFRWW
HQGRIPRQWKV7DEOH 3. Sehgal VN, Bhattacharya SN, Jain S et al. Cuta-
Scrofuloderma may require surgical inter- neous tuberculosis: The evolving scenario. Int J
Dermatol
vention in addition to antitubercular drugs. 6HKJDO91-DLQ0.6ULYDVWDYD*&KDQJLQJSDW-
Similarly, a persistent nodule of lupus vulgaris WHUQV RI FXWDQHRXV WXEHUFXORVLV $ SURVSHFWLYH
and lesions of TBVC may have to be excised. In study. Int J Dermatol
6HKJDO 91 :DJK 6$ &XWDQHRXV WXEHUFXORVLV
selected cases, the lupoid nodules within the Current concepts. Int J Dermatol
84 Textbook of Clinical Dermatology
6. Sehgal VN. Cutaneous tuberculosis. Dermatol Clin 6HKJDO 91 6DUGDQD . 6KDUPD 6 ,QDGHTXDF\ RI
clinical and/or laboratory criteria for the diag-
6HKJDO916DUGDQD.%DMDM3et al. Tuberculosis nosis of lupus vulgaris, re-infection cutaneous
verrucosa cutis: antitubercular therapy, a well- WXEHUFXORVLV IDOORXWLPSOLFDWLRQ RI ZHHNV RI
conceived diagnostic criterion. Int J Dermatol DQWLWXEXODUWKHUDS\$77DVDSUHFLVHGLDJQRVWLF
supplement to complete the scheduled regimen. J
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