Papular eruption on a tattoo: a case of primary inoculation tuberculosis

Abstract

The pathogenesis of inoculation cutaneous tuberculosis requires a break in the skin, through minor abrasions or injury, allowing the entry of tubercle bacilli. We report a 33-year-old man who presented with erythematous papules over a tattoo on the right upper arm, 1 month after undergoing a tattoo procedure. Histology and cultures revealed infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. He was started on a 9-month course of antituberculous medication and 3 months after initiation of the drugs all the papules had subsided. He has since completed the course of therapy and there has been no recurrence 1 year after treatment was started.