Psoriasiform lupus vulgaris.

Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in both developing and developed countries. Cutaneous Tuberculosis constitutes a minor proportion of extra-pulmonary manifestations of Tuberculosis. Lupus Vulgaris (LV) is one of the clinical variants of Cutaneous Tuberculosis. A case of a large plaque type psoriasiform lesion of lupus vulgaris on the thigh, of 15 years' duration, in an 18-year-old girl is reported. This case highlights the ignorance level among the patients and consequent failure to avail proper anti-tuberculous treatment despite campaign in print and audio visual media.

Ulcerative lupus vulgaris of face: an uncommon presentation in India.

Tuberculosis affects the population world wide, more among those living in developing countries. The incidence of tuberculosis registered an upward trend even in developed countries, with the advent of HIV infection. Cutaneous tuberculosis accounts for about 1% of cases of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Cutaneous tuberculosis presents with various lesions ranging from ulcerative to proliferative or hyperkeratotic lesions. The lesions may sometimes be associated with marked destruction of the tissues resulting in marked disfigurement, especially when it involves face as seen in cases of Lupus Vulgaris. A case of Lupus Vulgaris in a young woman with extensive ulceration of face which responded to ATT resulting in scarring of the face is reported for its rarity amongst Indian population as against western population.

Mycobacterial antigen in tissues in diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis.

Cutaneous tuberculosis presents a diagnostic challenge, as it is difficult to demonstrate the causative organism by histopathology and also culture of organisms from skin lesions is a less rewarding and time consuming process. Aim: Present study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of immuno-histochemical staining to demonstrate Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen in tissue sections. This is based on the finding that the mycobacterial antigen is the last to disappear from the tissues and thus can be used as a marker of mycobacterial infections. Material & Methods: Fifty randomly selected skin biopsy specimens were subjected to routine histopathological examination to corroborate the clinical diagnosis. Immuno-histochemical study was undertaken to demonstrate mycobacterial antigen. Observations: All the tissue sections were negative for AFB, both by Z-N stain and by culture. Mycobacterial antigen was demonstrable in 68% of cases of cutaneous tuberculosis. The highest positivity was recorded in scrofuloderma (89%), followed by Lupus Vulgaris (69%) and Tuberculosis Verrucosa Cutis (47%). Conclusions: Mycobacterial antigen was demonstrable in majority of cases of cutaneous tuberculosis using polyclonal antiserum. However, since cross reactivity was reported in cases of leprosy and also in some fungal infections, this test by itself cannot be considered as diagnostic. The results should be considered along with other findings.