A clinical and histopathologic study was done on 48 cases of cutaneous tuberculosis among 43, 209 out-patients in Dermatologic department of Korea t.Jniversity Hospital during the period of 15 years and 9 mont4s from January, 1969 to September, 1984. These 48 cases were consistent with skin tuberculosis in histologic and clinicalI finc1ings, The result were summarized as follows: ]. The incidence of skin tuberculosis was 0 I 1 g among 43, 209 cases of outpatients. 2. Localized type of skin tuberculosis was 3. 2 times more frequent than disseminated type. Frequent skin tuberculosis was lupus vulgaris (57 3%), erythema induratum (12, 5%), tuberculosis verrucosa cutis(8.3%) and lupus milaris disseminatus faciei (8. 3%). 4, The ratio between male and fenmle was 1: l. 1. 5 The ages of onset were variable according to the types of skin tuberculosis. but 45 8% of all cases developed in the age group between 10 and 29 years. Seasonal incidences of skin tuberculosis were 52. 1% in spring, 85%, in winter, 18. 8% in summer, 4, 2%, in autumn. 7 In histopathologic findings, there were tubercle or tubrculoid structures in all cases and typical tubercle structures were observed in 18.8% The ratio of accordance between the histopathologic diagnosis and clinicopa thologic diagnosis was 81.3%.
Diagnosis ; Erythema Induratum ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lupus Vulgaris ; Male ; Outpatients ; Seasons ; Skin* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous*

BACKGROUND: It is well known that the cutaneous tuberculosis especially skin tuberculids is difficult to detect early and make a confirm diagnosis because the organism is seldom detected in a lesion by conventional methods such as AFB stain and culture. The polymerase chain reaction is a very powerful molecular biological tool in diagnosing infectious, neoplastic and genetic diseases. It has the merit of employing various samples, and to improving sensitivity by the modification of PCR techniques. Usage of the routinely formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue as a sample for PCR is very useful in clinical examination, however the sensitivity and specificity have been known to be decreased. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the nested-PCR in the diagnosis of different types of cutaneous tuberculosis, we tried to detect the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from routinely formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. METHODS: The various cutaneous tuberculosis and infectious granulomatous disease were retrospecitively selected by the findings of clinical, histopathological and bacterial culture. There were 9 cases of lupus vulgaris, 4 tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, 2 papulonecrotic tuberculid, 2 erythema induratum and 4 lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei. To amplify the 123bp DNA fragment of a repeated insertion sequence IS6110, two pairs of primers composing outside and inside primers were applied. RESULTS: The positive band was found in 10(91% ) of lupus vulgaris, 3 of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, 1 papulonecrotic tuberculid and 1 erythema induratum. Four of the LMDF and 5 of the infectious granulomatous diseases were negative. CONCLUSION: The nested-PCR using routinely formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue is a useful diagnostic tool if combined with the result of other clinical data. Also it may provide further insight into pathogenesis of skin tuberculids and the differential diagnosis of granulomatous skin diseases.
Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; DNA ; Erythema Induratum ; Lupus Vulgaris ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin Diseases ; Skin* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous*

BACKGROUND: It is well known that the cutaneous tuberculosis especially skin tuberculids is difficult to detect early and make a confirm diagnosis because the organism is seldom detected in a lesion by conventional methods such as AFB stain and culture. The polymerase chain reaction is a very powerful molecular biological tool in diagnosing infectious, neoplastic and genetic diseases. It has the merit of employing various samples, and to improving sensitivity by the modification of PCR techniques. Usage of the routinely formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue as a sample for PCR is very useful in clinical examination, however the sensitivity and specificity have been known to be decreased. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the nested-PCR in the diagnosis of different types of cutaneous tuberculosis, we tried to detect the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from routinely formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. METHODS: The various cutaneous tuberculosis and infectious granulomatous disease were retrospecitively selected by the findings of clinical, histopathological and bacterial culture. There were 9 cases of lupus vulgaris, 4 tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, 2 papulonecrotic tuberculid, 2 erythema induratum and 4 lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei. To amplify the 123bp DNA fragment of a repeated insertion sequence IS6110, two pairs of primers composing outside and inside primers were applied. RESULTS: The positive band was found in 10(91% ) of lupus vulgaris, 3 of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, 1 papulonecrotic tuberculid and 1 erythema induratum. Four of the LMDF and 5 of the infectious granulomatous diseases were negative. CONCLUSION: The nested-PCR using routinely formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue is a useful diagnostic tool if combined with the result of other clinical data. Also it may provide further insight into pathogenesis of skin tuberculids and the differential diagnosis of granulomatous skin diseases.
Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; DNA ; Erythema Induratum ; Lupus Vulgaris ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin Diseases ; Skin* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous*

We report a rare case in which two tuberculids, erythema induratum and papulonecrotic tuberculid, occured together. A 15-year-old Korean girl had two types of clinically distinct lesions; painful subcutaneous nodules on the legs and pruritic necrotic papules on the trunk and extremity. Mantoux test showed a strong positive reaction. Histopathologic findings of the subcutaneous nodule and necrotic papule were consistent with erythema induratum and papulonecrotic tuberculid, respectively. There was no extracutaneous focus of tuberculosis. Polymerase chain reaction for tuberculosis bacilli in both lesions revealed negative results. Antituberculous therapy brought a rapid clinical improvement of lesions within a month.
Adolescent ; Erythema Induratum* ; Erythema* ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous*

Mycobacteriosis cutis is largely classified to localized forms and exanthematous forms and it is subdivded into five diseases in detail, each. They are 1) primary tuberculous complex, 2) lupus vulgaris, 3) tuberculous verrucosa cutis 4) scrofulo derma, and 5) tuberculosis cutis orificialis in localized ferms and 1) tuberculous miliaris disseminata, 2) lupus miliaris disserninaia faciei, 3) papulonecrotic tuberculid, 4) lichen scrofulosorom and 5) ervthema induratum in exanthematous forms.Rich(1944) insisted on that, the pathogenesis of cutaneous tuberuculosis was essen tially the sarne as that for tuberculosis in general. He said that aII forms of cutaneous tuberculosis were produced by the local action of the bacilus of tuberculosis. In the formerly termed true tuberculosis such as lupus vulgaris, the microorganisrns were found in varing numbers in the lesions, and animal inoculations of tissue were successful, In other forms represented by the tuberculids, the bacillus of tuberculosis was found only in the earilest stages before the true clinical and histological picture had developed, Its short lived existence in this forms was explained by the allergic statc of the tissues and this fact exnlained the failure to find the microorganisms in the lesions, or reproduced the affection by inoculations in animals, in cases sufficiently developed to be recognizable clinically and histologically. The other generally accepted view is that the mycobacteriosis cutis, especially the types in the category of tuberculids are caused by the hematogenous dissemination of tubercle bacilli from a focus, often extrapulmonary in location, into the skin, where they are rapidly destoryed. spiet and Roeckie(1960) agreed with above menitioned plausible theories with the background of their hypothesis, that was the skin was hyperegic, And Miescher(1951) also insisted that, skin had a decreased immunologic resistance. But according to Flegel(1957), if the skin was in a state of hyperegic reaction, the focus from which the dissemination was taking place was also should be in a hyperegic state and vice versa should be right, And moreover, Suizberger(1940) declared that whenever microorganisms or their products were being overcome or neutralized by local lmmunologic reactions, tubercles or tubercles or tuberculoid structures had a tendency to appear. So the theories of different immunologic state between the skin and focus were discarded. After that many authors proposed three factors against a tuberculous etiology of tuberculids. First, inoculation of tissue from lesion into guinea pigs and culturing of such tissue have given no evidence for tuberculosis. Second, active tuberculosis occurs no greater frequency in patients with tuberculids than in the general population. Third, tuberculids does not respond to antituberculous treatment but responds to the adminiatration of corticosteroids. According to Eberhartinger(1963), Schneider and Undeutsch(1965), in erytbema induraturn the primary event is a vasculitis of subcutaneous arteries and veins. And any fat necrosis following vascular damage can develop a tubereuloid appea- rance. Lever(1967) declared with self confidence that it was a relic of the times- when a tuberculoid histology was tantamount to tuberculosis. In this condition we decided to clarify that whether the mycobacteriosis cutis, especially the disease in the category of tuberculids, could be originated from mycobacteria tuberculosis in fact or not. Eleven patients, whose clinical diagnosis were skin tuberculosis or very similar to those diseases such as erythema. nodosum, were biopsied by 5mm puncher after 2% procaine injection on their two of skin lesions, the early one for the culture of tubercle bacilli and the oId one for histopathological study, on the O.P.D. of dermatologic department in Severance Hospital. Those biopsied material of early lesion was digested with proper amount of 4% NaOH and fragmented in tissue grinder about 10 minutes. After that, it was centrifuged in rotating speed of 3,500 r.p.m. for 30minutes, and neutralized by 8% HCl after adding phenol red drop by drop. Again it was centrifuged by same as previous method and its supernatant was discarded. The remnants of precipitin was inoculated on Ogawa's nutrient tuberculous media in incubator at 37C. Finally the acid-fast tubercle bacilli have been grown on the Ogawa's media three months after its first inoculation. The inoculation material was biopsied from the patient of eighteen year-old girl, whose clinical and histopathological diagnosis was erythema induratum. From the result of this study, we got the strong confidence that in spite of many authors powerful countertheories and the extremely poor harvesting of its culture, the erythema induratum can be or in evidently caused from mycobacterium tuberculosis. It may be early days yet to say that erythema induratum is originated fromtubercle bacilli but it is considered to be a truth in Korea, with the result of this study.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Animals ; Arteries ; Bacillus ; Diagnosis ; Erythema ; Erythema Induratum ; Fat Necrosis ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Incubators ; Korea ; Lichens ; Lupus Vulgaris ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Phenolsulfonphthalein ; Procaine ; Skin* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous* ; Vasculitis ; Veins

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous involvement is relatively uncommon representing a small fraction (1-2%) of the localizations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Cutaneous TB presents with several clinical forms, wherein one of the most common is scrofuloderma resulting from the direct extension of a tuberculous focus from a deeper structure such as the lymph node into the overlying skin. Tuberculous gumma is a rare form which occurs due to hematogenous spread of the TB bacilli. Although presenting with a wide clinical spectrum, it is believed that the association of different morphologies as well as numerous lesions and sites of cutaneous TB in a same patient is very rare.

CASE REPORT: This is a case of a 20-year-old Filipino male presented with a fi ve-month history of several progressive cutaneous lesions initially presenting as subcutaneous nodules evolving into well-demarcated suppurative painless ulcers which were unresponsive to topical antibiotic. Skin punch biopsy from the medial malleolar area of the right foot revealed dilated blood vessels with a diffuse inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and few multinucleated giant cells. Clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with cutaneous tuberculosis. Patient was started on anti-Koch's treatment regimen and presented an excellent response to treatment showing resolution of the skin lesions on the neck and forearms and notable regression of the lesions on the right foot within four (4) months.

CONCLUSION: This case serves as a reminder that cutaneous tuberculosis can manifest with a wide spectrum of clinical presentation which can mimic diverse dermatological conditions and may present with high rates of negative or equivocal diagnostic testing results. This report highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion in the timely diagnosis and management of tuberculosis in countries wherein tuberculosis remains a significant health burden such as the Philippines.

KEYWORDS: Cutaneous tuberculosis, Scrofuloderma, Tuberculous gumma, Metastatic tuberculous abscess

Erythema induratum of Bazin is a chronic, nodular subcutaneous eruption usually occurring on the lower legs of young women. Erythema induratum of Bazin hasbeen regarded as a tuberculide, a hypersensitivity response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The pathogenesis of erythema induratum of Bazin associated with tuberculosis is still debatable because mycobacteria cannot be cultured from the skin lesions. QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test detects INF-gamma released by T cells in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens, which offers an improved diagnostic test of latent tuberculosis infection. We experienced two cases of erythema induratum of Bazin, which showed normal chest X-ray and negative TB-PCR. However the QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test was positive which led us to a diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. Both patients were treated with anti-tuberculosis medications, which was followed by successful resolution of the skin lesions. Therefore, we report the application of the QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test for the confirmation of latent tuberculosis infection in erythema induratum of Bazin patients.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Erythema ; Erythema Induratum ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Interferon-gamma ; Latent Tuberculosis ; Leg ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous

Erythema induratum of Bazin is a chronic, nodular subcutaneous eruption usually occurring on the lower legs of young women. Erythema induratum of Bazin hasbeen regarded as a tuberculide, a hypersensitivity response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The pathogenesis of erythema induratum of Bazin associated with tuberculosis is still debatable because mycobacteria cannot be cultured from the skin lesions. QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test detects INF-gamma released by T cells in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens, which offers an improved diagnostic test of latent tuberculosis infection. We experienced two cases of erythema induratum of Bazin, which showed normal chest X-ray and negative TB-PCR. However the QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test was positive which led us to a diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. Both patients were treated with anti-tuberculosis medications, which was followed by successful resolution of the skin lesions. Therefore, we report the application of the QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test for the confirmation of latent tuberculosis infection in erythema induratum of Bazin patients.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Erythema ; Erythema Induratum ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Interferon-gamma ; Latent Tuberculosis ; Leg ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous

Cutaneous tuberculids are relatively rare hypersensitivity reactions to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, characterized by erythematous eruption on the skin of a tuberculosis patient. Papulonecrotic tuberculid, lichen scrofulosorum, erythema induratum and nodular tuberculid were originally included in tuberculids. However, some cases are difficult to classify into the subtypes because of their broad spectrum of cutaneous manifestations and various histopathologies. This is particularly true in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of atypical cutaneous tuberculid in an immunocompromised patient in whom mycobacterical DNA was not demonstrated by PCR. However, the diagnosis of latent tuberculous infection was supported by IFN-gamma assay (QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test) and tuberculous lymphadenitis was diagnosed. The skin lesions responded dramatically to anti-tuberculous therapy, and there has been no evidence of recurrence.
DNA ; Erythema Induratum ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunocompromised Host ; Lichens ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node

The nodular vasculitis described by Montgomery on 1945 and is characterized by relatively chronic, persistent, or recurrent nodular lesions of nontuberculous origin chiefly on the legs. In the differential diagnosis the following must also be considered; erythema induratum, eythema nodosum, Weber-Christian disease, erythema nodosum migrans, recurrent thrombophrebitis and periarteritis nodosa. The authors observed one case of nodular vasculitis caused by sulfa drug. This patient was diagnosed to papulonecrotic tuberculid at first and treated by prednisolone 20 mg, INH 300 mg and streptomycin l.0 gm BIW. By the treatment, the patient, was cured completly within 3 months but visited again because of recurrence after 6 months. Therefore, same medication was given, but did not show improvment and added sulfa drug, Lederkyne. But, unfortunately the skin lesions was aggrevated after sulfa medication. It was suggestive that the cause of aggrevation was sulfa drug and discontinued the sulfa drug. The skin lesions were completely cured after the drug was discontinued.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Erythema Induratum ; Erythema Nodosum ; Humans ; Leg ; Panniculitis, Nodular Nonsuppurative ; Polyarteritis Nodosa ; Prednisolone ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Streptomycin ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous* ; Vasculitis*