[Tuberculosis of the skin]

Abstract

Tuberculosis of the skin is now becoming one of the rare diseases. However, we can still see it in the patients with immunodeficiency or treated with immunosuppressants for a long time. Diagnosis of this disease is made by the characteristic clinical findings and the results of laboratory findings. This disease is divided into two types: true cutaneous tuberculosis and tuberculid. The former is produced by the proliferation of the tuberculous bacilli in the skin. Lupus vulgaris, tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, cutaneous primary tuberculosis, tuberculosis cutis orificialis and cutaneous miliary tuberculosis are included. The latter type is the skin manifestation of allergic reaction against tuberculous bacilli in the tuberculous lesions of other organs. Culture of tuberculous bacilli from the skin lesions shows usually negative. Erythema induratum Bazin, papulonecrotic tuberculid, penis tuberculid and lichen scrofulosorum are included.