[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.

[Etiology of acquired hypochromic patches in dermatological area in Mali]. / Etiologies Des Hypochromies Acquises En Milieu Dermatologique.

INTRODUCTION: In dark skin patients, hypopigmentation is the most disfiguring condition. Very few studies on hypochromic disorders have been conducted in specialized health centers. The present study is aimed to describe the etiologies of hypochromic patches in dermatological area, in Bamako. METHODS: We carried out a cross sectional study in the Dermatology Clinic of the "Centre National d'Appui à la lutte contre la Maladie (CNAM, Ex Institut Marchoux)". All acquired hypochromic patches (HP) were selected. HP was defined as a "skin patch lighter in pigmentation than normal surrounding skin with a diameter of at least 1 cm". The diagnosis was mainly based on clinical findings. RESULTS: The prevalence of HP was 3.42% and the main causes were seborrheic dermatitis (23.3%), pytiriasis alba (20.15%), vitiligo (18.9%), pityriasis versicolore (18.5%) and leprosy (12.6%). CONCLUSION: There are many causes of HP including leprosy, a disease though rare to date, but still prevalent in dermatological area.