Mycobacterium tuberculosis can affect the skin in a number of ways, but cutaneous disease is rare. The organism is capable of causing a primary infection which usually occurs in children or young adults who are inoculated by skin trauma. Typically a nodule develops at the site of the lesion associated with regional lymphadenopathy, the primary cutaneous complex. Lupus vulgaris is chronic form of cutaneous
tuberculosis disease where dull red lesions appear on the face, head or extremities. It is usually seen in older patients and often follows a long history before a diagnosis is made. It is a progressive disease that can cause severe facial scarring resulting in considerable deformity. A miliary form of tuberculosis has been described in the very young or in AIDS patients. It is characterised by small purplish papules which can be found over wide areas of the skin.
Tuberculides are fascinating and controversial syndromes that are believed to be cutaneous manifestations of immune responses to tuberculosis. One relatively common example of this is erythema nodosum. Others that may cause considerable diagnostic problems include Bazin’s erythema induratum.
Dr. D.Zeqiraj medical doctor at QKUK- Pristina, department of Infectious disease.