Rare concurrence of lepromatous leprosy and cutaneous tuberculosis.

The coinfection of leprosy and tuberculosis has been rarely reported in literature. A middle-aged man who was a known case of hepatitis B infection had presented with ichthyosis with claw hand deformity and submandibular swelling, which were diagnosed with lepromatous leprosy and scrofuloderma, respectively.

Atypical presentations of cutaneous tuberculosis: Series of 10 cases.

Cutaneous tuberculosis classically presents as Lupus vulgaris, scrofuloderma, tuberculosis verrucose cutis and tubercular abscess. Hypersensitivity reaction to the bacilli leads to Lichen scrofulosorum and papulonecrotic tuberculids. At the same time, it can have myriad of clinical presentations, many of which are still undescribed. It is important to regularly update ourselves with these unusual manifestations so as to ensure early treatment and reduction of overall morbidity. In this case series tuberculosis manifesting as rapidly progressing diffuse facial granulomas, sporotrichoid tuberculosis, tuberculosis mimicking squamous cell carcinoma, scrofuloderma as tubercular ulcer, lupus vulgaris with nasal septal perforation, lupus vulgaris resembling furuncle, psoriasis, dermatitis and BT Hansen are described in immunocompetent individuals. These cases highlight the importance of recognition of atypical forms of cutaneous tuberculosis to minimize scarring and dissemination of bacilli.

Diagnostic Utility of Biplex/Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction in Infectious Granulomatous Dermatitis in North Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: A definite diagnosis of infectious granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) is difficult for both practicing dermatologists and dermatopathologists due to overlapping clinical and histomorphological features. We aimed to explore the role of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identifying a definite etiological agent for diagnosis and appropriate treatment in IGD in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two cases of IGD were included, excluding leprosy. The histochemical stains including Ziehl-Neelsen, periodic acid-Schiff, and Giemsa were performed in all cases. A multiplex PCR was designed for detection of tuberculosis (TB) (IS6110 and mpt64), fungal infections (ITS1, ITS2; ZM1, and ZM3), and leishmaniasis (kDNA). The results of histomorphology, histochemical stains, and multiplex PCR were compared. RESULTS: Among 62 cases, the sensitivity rate of PCR detection for organisms was 16.7%, 0%, 100%, 72%, 75%, and 66.7% in patients with TB, suggestive of TB, leishmaniasis, fungal infections, and granulomatous dermatitis not otherwise specified and granulomatous dermatitis suggestive of fungus, respectively. The TB PCR using IS6110 primers was negative in all cases; however, PCR using mpt64 primers was positive in 33.33% cases of scrofuloderma. The histochemical stains including Ziehl-Neelsen for acid-fast bacilli, periodic acid-Schiff for fungus, and Giemsa for Leishman-Donovan bodies showed positivity in 11.3%, 43.5%, and 3.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A multiplex PCR (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Leishmania, and panfungal) is highly recommended in all cases of IGD where an etiological agent is difficult to establish by skin biopsy and histochemical stains along with a clinicopathological correlation. This will augment in appropriate treatment and will reduce empirical treatment and morbidity in such patients.

Cutaneous tuberculosis of the pinna.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) rarely involves the ear as the primary site, but while diagnosing and treating ear infections, it should be considered a differential diagnosis in a tropical country such as India. The present study reports the incidence and clinical presentation of auricular tuberculosis (TB) in a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted from 2005 to 2019 whereby all cases of CTB confirmed by biopsy were retrieved from the database. The demographic details, clinical details, Mantoux results, and photographs were extracted and studied. The data were entered into MS Excel and analyzed. RESULTS: In a retrospective analysis of 886 cases of CTB over a period of 15 years, we found 20 cases (2.26%) of ear involvement (1 case with bilateral involvement). The median age of the patients with ear involvement was 29 years with 42.11% men and 57.89% women. Morphological variants seen over pinna were predominantly classic plaque type (31.58%) and nodular (31.58%), with few ulcerative (21.05%) and tumoral forms (15.79%). CTB of the pinna showed predominant involvement of either helix or ear lobule (7 cases each). All cases were strongly positive to tuberculin and showed response to the empirical antitubercular treatment. CONCLUSION: CTB can exclusively affect the pinna in varied presentations. The ear lobules and the helix are the usual sites of affection. It is rare for both ears to be affected with CTB, unlike bacilliferous leprosy. Regression following institution of antitubercular treatment is a reasonable way to confirm CTB.

[Cutaneous tuberculosis in Bamako, Mali]. / Tuberculose cutanée à Bamako, Mali.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is the most common mycobacteriosis in sub-Saharan Africa. Cutaneous tuberculosis is rare and underdiagnosed due to its clinical polymorphism and to the smallness of technical equipment. This study aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical, histopathological aspects of cutaneous tuberculosis in Bamako (Mali). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study from January 1991 to December 2008. The study was performed in the Department of Dermatology at the National Center for Disease Control and in the Department of Pneumophtisiology at the Hospital of Point G. The patients with tuberculosis confirmed by histological and/or biological examination were included in the study. RESULTS: Out of 4269 patients? medical records, 61 cases of cutaneous tuberculosis were identified (1.43%). Men accounted for 59% of the cases (36 patients) and women 41% (25 cases); sex-ratio was 1.44. The age of the patients ranged from 3 months to 61 years, with an average age of 27.56 ± 36 years. The average length of follow-up was 10.9 ± 10 months. The identified clinical forms were scrofuloderma (41 cases), ulcerative form (13 cases), verrucous form (4 cases), and tuberculous Lupus (3 cases). Tuberculosis was associated with HIV in 7 cases, with leprosy in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous tuberculosis is underdiagnosed in Mali. Efforts are needed to improve the accessibility and the technical equipment available in the Departments, in order to conduct an extensive interdisciplinary study on this pathology.

[Immunological evaluation during treatment of a case of borderline lepromatous leprosy]. / Evaluación inmunológica durante el tratamiento de un caso de lepra dimorfa lepromatosa.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection that affects skin and peripheral nerves. Its prevalence has declined, but is still observed mainly in poor rural areas. CASE REPORT: A male city dweller with photophobia and chronic dermatosis in the face: nodular and erythematous lesions, pustules, keratitis and entropion, partial eyebrows loss, and edema on eyelids, chin, and nose bridge. The rest of the body had no lesion or lymphadenopathy. Biopsy revealed Langhans giant cell proliferation in the superficial dermis without epidermal atrophy. BAAR staining for detection were positive, no Virschow cells were observed, and Fite-Franco staining (leprosy-specific) was negative. Cutaneous tuberculosis was diagnosed. Rifampicin/isoniazid/pyrazinamide and dialysate leukocyte extract were prescribed. A month later, the swelling had decreased significantly. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was positive for Mycobacterium leprae. Flow cytometry showed CD4 count normalization. Long-term treatment with rifampicin, clofazimine, and dapsone was established. CONCLUSIONS: The host's immune response determines the clinical features of the disease: if response is bad there will be vacuolated macrophages filled with bacilli (lepromatous leprosy). Clinical and histopathological findings help typing.

Antecedentes: La lepra es una infección granulomatosa crónica que afecta piel y nervios periféricos. Aunque su prevalencia ha disminuido, se sigue observando principalmente en el medio rural pobre. Caso clínico: Hombre residente de una ciudad, con fotofobia y dermatosis crónica en la cara: lesiones nodulares y eritematosas, pústulas, queratitis y entropión, pérdida parcial de las cejas y edema de párpados, barbilla y puente nasal. El resto del cuerpo sin lesiones ni adenomegalias. La biopsia reveló proliferación de células gigantes de Langhans en la dermis superficial, sin atrofia epidérmica. Las tinciones para búsqueda de BAAR fueron positivas. No se observaron células de Virschow y la tinción de Fite-Franco (específica de lepra) fue negativa. Se diagnosticó tuberculosis cutánea. Se prescribió rifampicina-isoniazida-pirazinamida y extracto dializado de leucocitos. Un mes después, la inflamación había disminuido de forma importante. La reacción en cadena de la polimerasa fue positiva para Mycobacterium leprae. Con la citometría de flujo de seguimiento se observó normalización de la cuenta de CD4. Se estableció tratamiento a largo plazo con rifampicina, clofazimina y dapsona. Conclusiones: La respuesta inmune del huésped determina las características clínicas de la enfermedad: si la respuesta es mala habrá macrófagos vacuolados llenos de bacilos (lepromatosa). Los hallazgos clínicos e histopatológicos ayudan a la tipificación.

Tropical Skin Diseases in Children: A Review-Part II.

Tropical skin diseases are infectious conditions influenced by factors such as nutrition, housing, and the environment. Migration patterns have caused these conditions to be seen all around the world, not only in developing countries. Many of these diseases have a different presentation in childhood, which changes the diagnostic approach and management options. In this article, we review some of the most common tropical mycobacterial, protozoan, parasitic, and viral dermatologic conditions in children, including their epidemiologic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects.

A case of lepromatous leprosy with co-existing tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (TVC).

The association of leprosy and cutaneous tuberculosis has been reported rarely. Though cross-immunity may exist between these two mycobacterial infections, tuberculosis can occur throughout the spectrum of leprosy. We report a case of lepromatous leprosy with Type II reaction, with tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (TVC). The patient presented with multiple skin-coloured tender nodules of variable size, involving the upper and lower extremities, nodular enlargement of both ear lobes, erythematous plaques on the face and icthyotic patches over both lower legs and feet, for 6 months. There was also a slow-growing asymptomatic warty plaque over the right lateral malleolus, present for 1 year. Slit skin smear examination from ear lobes, forehead and nodules, and histopathology of the warty lesion, respectively confirmed the diagnoses of leprosy and tuberculosis.

Disseminated cutaneous BCG infection following BCG immunotherapy in patients with lepromatous leprosy.

Cutaneous complications of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, especially in the form of generalised disease, are uncommon and mostly occur in immunocompromised individuals. There is a paucity of data on the cutaneous adverse reactions secondary to BCG immunotherapy in leprosy. We report two unique cases of disseminated cutaneous BCG infection following immunotherapy in patients with lepromatous leprosy. To our knowledge, cutaneous BCG infection presenting as widespread lesions after immunotherapy and confirmed by isolation of Mycobacterium bovis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has not been described. A high index of suspicion is required when leprosy patients who receive BCG immunotherapy develop new lesions that cannot be classified as either reaction or relapse, and diagnosis may be confirmed on histopathology and PCR.

Tuberculosis and Leprosy: Classical Granulomatous Diseases in the Twenty-First Century.

Leprosy and tuberculosis are chronic mycobacterial infections that elicit granulomatous inflammation. Both infections are curable, but granulomatous injury to cutaneous structures, including cutaneous nerves in leprosy, may cause permanent damage. Both diseases are major global concerns: tuberculosis for its high prevalence and mortality, and leprosy for its persistent global presence and high rate of neuropathic disability. Cutaneous manifestations of both leprosy and tuberculosis are frequently subtle and challenging in dermatologic practice and often require a careful travel and social history and a high index of suspicion.

Cutaneous tuberculosis due to multidrug-resistant tubercle bacilli and difficulties in clinical diagnosis.

This report describes 6 HIV-negative patients including 5 children with scrofuloderma and an adult with lupus vulgaris, out of a total of 303 cases of cutaneous tuberculosis seen during a 4½-year period, who showed a positive tuberculin test and granulomatous histopathology, but failed to respond to first-line antitubercular therapy. They were suspected to have multidrug-resistant infection as no other cause could be ascertained. Tissue aspirate or biopsy was sent for histopathology and culture. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from the aspirate in three patients and sputum in one with associated pulmonary tuberculosis. Drug susceptibility tests showed that all isolates were resistant to rifampicin and isoniazid, and one each additionally to streptomycin and ethambutol, respectively. In two, culture was unsuccessful. All were administered second-line antitubercular drugs. Clinical improvement was appreciable within 2 months as weight gain, and regression of ulcers, swellings and plaques. Two completed the recommended 24 months of therapy. Multidrug-resistant cutaneous tuberculosis should be suspected in patients with no response to first-line drugs, with clinical deterioration, and where other causes of treatment failure are not forthcoming. Owing to poor isolation rates on culture and low sensitivity of molecular tests, in such cases, a trial of second-line anti-tubercular drugs may be justified for a reasonable period of 2 months. Where facilities permit, culture and drug sensitivity tests should be done before starting treatment. Culture positivity is better from aspirated material.

Profile of skin biopsies and patterns of skin cancer in a tertiary care center of Western Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Skin biopsy is the method to assist clinicians to make definite dermatological diagnosis which further helps in holistic management. Skin cancers are relatively rare clinical diagnosis in developing countries like Nepal, but the prevalence is on rise. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the profile of skin biopsies and frequencies and pattern of skin cancers in a tertiary care centre of Western Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials consisted of 434 biopsies (1.37%) out of 31,450 OPD visits performed in the Department of Dermatology, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal, during the period of Dec 2011-Nov 2014. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS-16 with reference to incidence, age, sex, race and clinical and histopathological features. RESULTS: The commonest disorders observed in biopsies were papulosquamous lesions, skin tuberculosis of different types, benign skin tumors, leprosy, collagen and fungal diseases. Viral diseases were rarely seen, probably due to straight forward clinical diagnosis. Dermatological malignancies accounted for 55/434 (12.67%) of biopsies. Skin disorders in general were commoner in females 280/434 (64%), including malignancies 32/55(58.2%). Mean age of patients with skin cancer was 54.5 years. Facilities for proper laboratory investigation of dermatological disorders will improve the quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent lesion in skin biopsies was papulosquamous disorders followed by skin tuberculosis of different types. Dermatological malignancy constituted 55/434 (12.67%) cases. The prevalence of skin malignancy is on rise in Nepalese society probably due to increase in life expectancy and better diagnostic services.

Lichen scrofulosorum caused by Mycobacterium leprae: first report.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculides are skin lesions caused by the hematogeneous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Bacilli are rapidly destroyed in the skin and are thus neither visible histologically nor identifiable by culture. Diagnosis depends on previous knowledge of systemic and/or cutaneous tuberculosis. Lichen scrofulosorum (LS), the most uncommon variant of tuberculid, is usually associated with M. tuberculosis infection of lymph nodes or bone but was also reported in association with other mycobacterioses. OBJECTIVES: We report a case of LS in a patient with M. leprae infection. METHODS: In 2008, a 51-year-old woman from the Philippines was diagnosed with tuberculoid leprosy and treated. In 2010 the leprosy was considered to have been cured, and treatment was stopped. In 2011 the patient presented with lesions on the trunk and legs. Biopsy specimens were obtained for histopathologic examination and DNA detection for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Histopathology in the biopsy from the trunk revealed the dermis to be diffusely occupied by granulomas with perineural and periadnexal disposition. Granulomas were composed of epithelioid cells and lymphocytes. Fite-Faraco staining revealed a few solid acid-fast bacilli within nerve fascicles. Reinfection or the re-reactivation of multibacillary borderline tuberculoid leprosy was diagnosed. Histopathology in the biopsy taken from the leg showed superficial, well-formed granulomas in the vicinity of hair follicles and sweat ducts. No acid-fast bacilli were seen. Analysis by PCR revealed M. leprae DNA in specimens from both the leg and trunk. The clinical features of the papular eruption and the histopathologic findings and concomitant mycobacterial infection with M. leprae led to a diagnosis of LS. Treatment was commenced with dapsone 100 mg/day, clofazimine 50 mg/day and 300 mg/month, and rifampicin 600 mg/day. The lichenoid eruption on the legs disappeared at one month of therapy, whereas the other skin lesions resolved in one year leaving residual hypochromic macules. CONCLUSIONS: Infection with M. leprae may cause LS. The use of PCR in skin biopsies from granulomatous dermatitis of unknown origin can help to identify the responsible agents.