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Review
. 2022 Dec 14;14(3):320-329.
doi: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_284_22. eCollection 2023 May-Jun.

Tuberculids: A Narrative Review

Affiliations
Review

Tuberculids: A Narrative Review

Niharika Dhattarwal et al. Indian Dermatol Online J. .

Abstract

Tuberculids are a group of dermatoses with tuberculoid histology and the absence of tubercle bacilli. They are considered to be hypersensitivity reactions to circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) or its antigens in individuals with good immunity. The objective of the review is to provide a detailed literature review of all available articles on tuberculids in the past 10 years and provide an update on epidemiology, etiopathogenetic mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and treatment. A search was performed on PubMed using the keywords lichen scrofulosorum, papulonecrotic tuberculid, erythema induratum, and erythema nodosum tuberculosis for all articles, with no restrictions on age, gender, or nationalities. An update on tuberculids, including some new concepts in pathogenesis, atypical presentations, new investigative modalities, and treatments are reviewed.

Keywords: Erythema induratum; erythema nodosum; lichen scrofulosorum; papulonecrotic tuberculid; tuberculids.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Closely grouped erythematous to hyperpigmented plaques with few discrete papules
Figure 2
Figure 2
Erythematous papules over glans penis
Figure 3
Figure 3
Ulcerated plaque over posterior right leg with atrophic scarring at places
Figure 4
Figure 4
Erythematous, tender nodules over lower limbs
Figure 5
Figure 5
Dermoscopy showing a central structureless area surrounded by brown hyperpigmentation and fine white scaling at places [Dermlite DL4, non-polarized, 10×]
Figure 6
Figure 6
(a-c) Dense perifollicular infiltration of lymphohistiocytes characteristic of lichen scrofulosorum [H and E ×20, ×40, and ×100, respectively]
Figure 7
Figure 7
(a-c) Lobular panniculitis with infiltration of lymphohistiocytes and Langhans giant cells in erythema induratum [H and E ×20, ×40, and ×100, respectively]
Figure 8
Figure 8
(a-c) Thickened septae with infiltration of lymphocytes in erythema nodosum [H and E ×20, ×40, and ×100, respectively]

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