RESUMO
There has been controversy as to the etiology and pathogenesis of lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei [LMDF]. It was thought to be associated with tuberculous or non-tuberculous mycobacteria due to its histopathological similarity. Recently, this association has been doubted. Seven patients with the clinical and histopathological features of LMDF were included in this study. Skin biopsies were obtained from active lesions and were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] using pan-mycobacterial and M. tuberculosis complex specific primers to detect the presence of tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacteria. No M. tuberculosis complex or non-tuberculous mycobacteria were detected in any of the LMDF patients. In conclusion, no association was present between LMDF and tuberculous or non-tuberculous mycobacteria