Tuberculosis cutánea esporotricoide en la Amazonía peruana: reporte de caso / Sporotrichoid cutaneous tuberculosis in the peruvian amazon: case report

RESUMEN La tuberculosis cutánea es una presentación rara de la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Se presenta el caso de una mujer sin antecedentes médicos de importancia, con un tiempo de enfermedad de año y medio, caracterizado por lesiones tipo esporotricoide, con diseminación linfocutánea en miembro superior derecho, de evolución lentamente progresiva. Se realizó un estudio histopatológico encontrándose células gigantes tipo Langhans y escasa necrosis. El paciente recibió terapia de esquema sensible antituberculoso, con evolución favorable.

ABSTRACT Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare presentation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. We present the case of a woman without important medical history, with a disease period of one year and a half, characterized by sporotrichoid-like lesions, with lymphocutaneous dissemination in the right upper limb, and with slowly progressive evolution. The histopathological tests revealed Langhans type giant cells and scarce necrosis. The patient received therapy with a sensitive antituberculous scheme, and evolved favorably.

Escrofuloderma, una manifestación extrapulmonar de tuberculosis: a propósito de un caso y actualización de esquema de tratamiento en Chile / Scrofuloderma, a manifestation extrapulmonary tuberculosis: about a case and treatment scheme update in Chile

La tuberculosis (TBC) es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por organismos del complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Las presentaciones extrapulmonares constituyen hasta el 25% de los casos de TBC reportados en nuestro país. La TBC cutánea es una manifestación extrapulmonar rara que representa el 1-2% de los casos, siendo el escrofuloderma y el lupus vulgar las formas clínicas más comunes. El escrofuloderma es una manifestación endógena de la infección, como resultado de la extensión contigua a la piel suprayacente desde estructuras adyacentes. La biopsia de piel asociada a técnicas moleculares y cultivo de micobacterias constituyen el gold standard diagnóstico de la TBC cutánea. El tratamiento de la TBC cutánea sigue las mismas recomendaciones que para otras formas de TBC. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con escrofuloderma.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by organisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Extrapulmonary presentations may constitutes up to 25% of TB cases. Reported in our country Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary manifestation that represents 1-2% of cases, with scrofuloderma and lupus vulgaris being the most common clinical forms. Scrofuloderma is an endogenous manifestation of the infection, because of contiguous extension to the overlying skin from adjacent structures. Skin biopsy associated with molecular techniques and mycobacterial culture constitute the gold standard for diagnosis of cutaneous TB. The treatment of cutaneous TB follows the same recommendations as for other forms of TB. We present the case of a patient with scrofuloderma.

Disseminated tuberculosis associated with reactive arthritis of Poncet in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis which, like disseminated tuberculosis, commonly occurs in immunocompromised patients. Poncet reactive arthritis is a seronegative arthritis affecting patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis, which is uncommon even in endemic countries. We report a previously healthy 23-year-old male patient with watery diarrhea associated with erythematous ulcers on the lower limbs and oligoarthritis of the hands. Histopathological examination of the skin showed epithelioid granulomatous process with palisade granulomas and central caseous necrosis. AFB screening by Ziehl-Neelsen staining showed intact bacilli, the culture was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and colonoscopy revealed multiple shallow ulcers. Disseminated tuberculosis associated with reactive Poncet arthritis was diagnosed, with an improvement of the clinical and skin condition after appropriate treatment.

Tuberculosis cutánea en pabellón auricular: reporte de un caso / Cutaneous tuberculosis in ear auricle: a case report

RESUMEN La tuberculosis cutánea representa menos del 2% de todos los casos de la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Su baja prevalencia, asociada a la amplia variedad en la presentación clínica de las lesiones, dificulta y retrasa el diagnóstico y, por tanto, el inicio del tratamiento. El siguiente es el caso de una paciente de 80 años, con una lesión ulcerada, crónica, en pabellón auricular izquierdo, con evolución tórpida y pobre respuesta al manejo farmacológico instaurado; con biopsia de piel que mostró reacción inflamatoria crónica y presencia de bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes.

ABSTRACT Cutaneous tuberculosis represents less than 2% of all cases of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its low prevalence, associated with a wide variety in clinical presentation of the lesions, hinders and delays the diagnosis and, thus, treatment initiation. The following is the case of an 80-years old, female patient with an ulcerated, chronic lesion in the left ear auricle, with a torpid evolution and poor response to established pharmacological management; with a skin biopsy that showed chronic inflammatory reaction and the presence of acid-fast bacilli.

Scrofuloderma: a diagnostic challenge

Abstract: Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, comprising 1-2% of cases. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or related strains, it presents a wide range of clinical manifestations, mimicking other chronic dermatoses and leading to delayed diagnosis. A case of scrofuloderma is reported, whose diagnosis and treatment were only made six years after onset of the disease.

Tuberculides tuberculosas en población adulta de la Región Metropolitana, Chile: serie de casos 2006-2010 / Tuberculids in the adult population of the Region Metropolitan, Chile: case series 2006-2010

Introducción: Las tuberculides tuberculosas (TLTB) se subdividen en verdaderas de etiología atribuible al Mycobacterium tuberculosis y facultativas causadas por múltiples condiciones, entre ellas la tuberculosis. En Chile representan el 75% de las tuberculosis cutáneas en la región metropolitana (RM). Objetivo: caracterizar las TLTB de la RM de acuerdo a epidemiología, clínica, estudio y manejo terapéutico. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo del total de TLTB diagnosticadas por biopsia en los servicios de anatomía patológica de 4 hospitales públicos de la RM y un hospital privado de la RM en el quinquenio 2006-2010. Resultados: 83 casos de TLTB, 59% aportados por el sistema público, 84% de los pacientes fueron mujeres, 18% fueron tuberculides verdaderas y 82% tuberculides facultativas. A pesar de ser el tratamiento antituberculoso la elección en las tuberculides verdaderas, sólo se indicó en el 65% de los casos y de estos, 45% realmente lo realizó. Sólo el 4,5% de las tuberculides facultativas de esta serie tuvieron indicación de tratamiento antituberculoso, realizándose en el 100% de los casos. Conclusión: Existe seguimiento insuficiente a través del tiempo en estos pacientes, dificultando dimensionar el éxito real de los tratamientos indicados. Se evidencia una falla en la coordinación al momento de derivar los pacientes al programa de control de la tuberculosis.

Introduction: Tuberculids are subdivided in true tuberculids, which are associated to mycobacterium tuberculosis, and facultative tuberculids which can be caused by several conditions, including tuberculosis. In Chile tuberculids represent 75% of cutaneous tuberculosis in the metropolitan region (MR). Objective: to characterize tuberculids according to epidemiology, clinical, study and therapeutic management. Methods: Descriptive study of the total tuberculids diagnosed by biopsy in the pathology services of 4 public hospitals of the MRI and a private hospital of the MRI in the five-year period 2006- 2010. Results: 83 cases of tuberculids, 59% where provided by the public system, 84% of the patients were women, 18% were true tuberculids and 82% facultative tuberculids. Despite being antitubercular therapy the first line treatment for true tuberculids, this treatment was prescribed in 65% of cases and only 45% of these were actually treated. Only 4.5% of the facultative tuberculids in this series had indication of antitubercular therapy, performed in 100% of cases. Conclusions: There is insufficient follow up in these patients, making it difficult to assess the real success of the treatment. Is evident the lack of coordination when referring patients to the tuberculosis control program.

Tuberculosis cutánea / Cutaneous tuberculosis

La tuberculosis cutánea (TC) es una afección infrecuente dentro de la tuberculosis extrapulmonar, siendo su clínica variada e inespecífica. Se presenta el caso de TC: Mujer de 48 años sin antecedentes mórbidos que consultó por lesión cutánea en pabellón auricular y piel circundante, de dos años de evolución, pruriginosa, con aumento de tamaño progresivo y supuración serosa ocasional, al examen se constató placa eritematosa anaranjada, de consistencia blanda. Reacción en Cadena de Polimerasa de biopsia evidenció infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis, logrando remisión de la lesión con tratamiento antituberculoso establecido en las normas sanitarias de Chile. La TC es una entidad de difícil diagnóstico, incluso contando con cultivos. A causa del aumento de casos de tuberculosis por el incremento de factores inmunosupresores, y a su potencial agresividad sistémica, se recomienda un alto nivel de sospecha.

Cutaneous tuberculosis (CT) is an infrequent condition of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, with a varied and non-specific clinical morphologies. A case of CT is presented: 48-yearold woman with no morbid history, who consulted for a skin lesion in the auricular pavilion and surrounding area, of two years of evolution, pruritic, with increasing progressive size and occasional serous secreation. On physical examination, orange erythematous plaque with soft consistency was found. Polymerase Chain Reaction from biopsy, showed infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, achieving remission of the lesion with antituberculosis treatment established in Chilean sanitary regulations. CT is an entity difficult to diagnose even with the use of culture. A high level of suspicion is recommended because of the increase of cases of tuberculosis due to immunosuppressive factors and their potential systemic aggressiveness.

Cutaneous tuberculosis due to multidrug-resistant tubercle bacilli and difficulties in clinical diagnosis.

This report describes 6 HIV-negative patients including 5 children with scrofuloderma and an adult with lupus vulgaris, out of a total of 303 cases of cutaneous tuberculosis seen during a 4½-year period, who showed a positive tuberculin test and granulomatous histopathology, but failed to respond to fi rst-line antitubercular therapy. They were suspected to have multidrug-resistant infection as no other cause could be ascertained. Tissue aspirate or biopsy was sent for histopathology and culture. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from the aspirate in three patients and sputum in one with associated pulmonary tuberculosis. Drug susceptibility tests showed that all isolates were resistant to rifampicin and isoniazid, and one each additionally to streptomycin and ethambutol, respectively. In two, culture was unsuccessful. All were administered second-line antitubercular drugs. Clinical improvement was appreciable within 2 months as weight gain, and regression of ulcers, swellings and plaques. Two completed the recommended 24 months of therapy. Multidrug-resistant cutaneous tuberculosis should be suspected in patients with no response to fi rst-line drugs, with clinical deterioration, and where other causes of treatment failure are not forthcoming. Owing to poor isolation rates on culture and low sensitivity of molecular tests, in such cases, a trial of second-line anti-tubercular drugs may be justifi ed for a reasonable period of 2 months. Where facilities permit, culture and drug sensitivity tests should be done before starting treatment. Culture positivity is better from aspirated material.

Tuberculosis en patrón esporotricoide: una presentación inusual de tuberculosis cutánea en un paciente inmunocompetente / Sporotrichoid-like tuberculosis: an unusual presentation of cutaneous tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient

Tuberculosis remains a major global health problem. Cutaneous involvement is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis infection. Sporotrichoid clinical pattern consists of a linear arrangement of nodules along the lymphatic vessels. It is often seen in sporotrichosis. Few cases have been reported of cutaneous tuberculosis presenting as a sporotrichoid clinical pattern. We describe a 84-year-old female with ulcerative nodules on upper extremity caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, emphasizing the importance of considering cutaneous tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of sporotrichoid lesions.

En la actualidad, la tuberculosis sigue siendo un problema de salud pública en el mundo. El compromiso cutáneo es una manifestación poco frecuente de la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. El patrón esporotricoide se refiere a la disposición lineal de los nódulos cutáneos siguiendo el trayecto de los vasos linfáticos, forma de presentación característica de la esporotricosis, de ahí su nombre. Muy pocos casos han sido reportados sobre tuberculosis cutánea con patrón esporotricoide. Se presenta el caso clínico de una mujer de 84 años con nódulos ulcerativos de disposición lineal en miembro superior causados por Mycobacterium tuberculosis, destacando la importancia de incluir a la tuberculosis cutánea en el diagnóstico diferencial de lesiones con patrón esporotricoide.

Cutaneous tuberculosis with nonreactive PPD skin test: a diagnostic challenge

The authors report a case of cutaneous tuberculosis in a 63-year-old female patient, who had an infiltrated, erythematous-ferruginous plaque of indurated aspect on her right leg and a nonreactive PPD skin test. Diagnosis was made by tissue culture and PCR of skin biopsy material. The treatment was performed with pyrazinamide, rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol, with good response.

Update on cutaneous tuberculosis

Tuberculosis continues to draw special attention from health care professionals and society in general. Cutaneous tuberculosis is an infection caused by M. tuberculosis complex, M. bovis and bacillus Calmette-Guérin. Depending on individual immunity, environmental factors and the type of inoculum, it may present varied clinical and evolutionary aspects. Patients with HIV and those using immunobiological drugs are more prone to infection, which is a great concern in centers where the disease is considered endemic. This paper aims to review the current situation of cutaneous tuberculosis in light of this new scenario, highlighting the emergence of new and more specific methods of diagnosis, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the parasite-host interaction.

Cutaneous tuberculosis: diagnosis, histopathology and treatment - Part II

The evolution in the knowledge of tuberculosis' physiopathology allowed not only a better understanding of the immunological factors involved in the disease process, but also the development of new laboratory tests, as well as the establishment of a histological classification that reflects the host's ability to contain the infectious agent. At the same time, the increasing bacilli resistance led to alterations in the basic tuberculosis treatment scheme in 2009. This article critically examines laboratory and histological investigations, treatment regimens for tuberculosis and possible adverse reactions to the most frequently used drugs.

Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiologic, etiopathogenic and clinical aspects - Part I

Cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) is the result of a chronic infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. ovis and occasionally by the Calmette-Guerin bacillus. The clinical manifestations are variable and depend on the interaction of several factors including the site of infection and the host's immunity. This article revises the current knowledge about this disease's physiopathology and immunology as well as detailing the possible clinical presentations.

Perforating granuloma annulare mimicking papulonecrotic tuberculid / Granuloma anular perfurante simulando tuberculide papulo-necrotica

A case is reported of a patient presenting lymph node tuberculosis and cutaneous lesions resembling papulonecrotic tuberculid, but histologically compatible with perforating granuloma annulare and which responded satisfactorily to antituberculous therapy. This is probably one of the first reports of the association of perforating granuloma annulare and tuberculosis, and it is important therefore to highlight the relevance of this disorder in the differential diagnosis of papulonecrotic tuberculid and to raise the hypothesis that this entity should also be considered to be a variant of tuberculid.

Os autores relatam o caso de uma paciente com tuberculose ganglionar e lesões cutâneas clinicamente sugestivas de tubercúlide pápulo-necrótica, porém com histopatologia compatível com granuloma anular perfurante, e que apresentaram melhora após tratamento para a tuberculose. Trata-se, possivelmente, de um dos primeiros relatos da associação de granuloma anular perfurante com tuberculose, salientando a importância desta entidade no diagnóstico diferencial da tubercúlide pápulo-necrótica e levantando a possibilidade da mesma ser considerada, também, uma variante de tubercúlide.

Tuberculosis verrugosa: reporte de un caso / Warty tuberculosis: case report

La tuberculosis verrugosa es una enfermedad infecciosa crónica producida por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Actualmente se ve un incremento de la tuberculosis por la resistencia del bacilo a los fármacos y por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia adquirida. Presenta una gran variedad clínica y es un reto diagnóstico. Se presenta un caso con buena evolución con el tratamiento antituberculoso.

The warty tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Is now increased by the tuberculosis bacillus resistance to drugs and for the acquired immunodeficiency virus. Presents a clinical variety and is a diagnostic challenge. A case is presented with its good performance with tuberculosis treatment.

Mastitis tuberculosa / Tuberculosis of the breast

Se informa un caso de mastitis granulomatosa causada por Mycobacterium tuberculosis en una paciente inmunocompetente con lesiones inflamatorias crónicas de la mama, diagnosticada por la detección de ADN de la micobacteria mediante la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa de la secuencia de inserción IS6110 presente en el complejo M. tuberculosis , en una biopsia de mama embebida en parafina. La tuberculosis primaria de la mama es rara, incluso en países con alta prevalencia de tuberculosis, y debe sospecharse en pacientes con mastitis granulomatosa crónica de causa no clara. El pilar del tratamiento es la quimioterapia antituberculosa y, ocasionalmente, la cirugía.

We report a case of granulomatous mastitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in an immunocompetent woman with chronic inflammatory lesions of the breast. It was diagnosed by detection of mycobacteria DNA using polymerase chain reaction technique targeting IS6110 insertion element of M. tuberculosis complex in a paraffin-embedded histological specimen. The primary breast tuberculosis is rare, even in countries where the incidence and prevalence of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis are high. It should be suspected in female patients with chronic granulomatous mastitis with no apparent cause. The cornerstone of treatment is antituberculous chemotherapy, and surgery is rarely required.

Tubercúlide papulonecrótica: Caso clínico / Papulonecrotic tuberculid: Case report

Una niña de 12 años fue atendida por presentar pápulas milimétricas diseminadas que involucionaron hacia escaras varioliformes. La prueba de tuberculina fue fuertemente reactiva. Se diagnosticó una tuberculosis pulmonar subyacente y la paciente respondió al tratamiento antituberculoso. La tubercúlide papulonecrótica es una erupción cutánea que se cree debida a hipersensibilidad ante un foco subyacente de tuberculosis y sería un indicador de buen estado inmunitario.

A 12-year-old girl was seen with widespread millimetric papules which resolved leaving varioliform scars. Tuberculin test was strongly reactive. Underlying pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed. The patient responded to antituberculous treatment. Papulonecrotic tuberculid is a skin eruption thought to be due to hypersensitivity to an underlying focus of tuberculosis and is an indicator of good immunologic status.