This case report deals with a rare association: tuberculosis and cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The patient was a 36-year-old man with no significant past medical problems. He presented with a palpable purpura on both legs, low-grade fever, cough and expectoration, progressive dyspnea due to a massive left pleural effusion and a symmetric swelling on his ankles and wrists. Skin biopsy yielded a histological diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis and the primary diagnosis was only achieved after performing a pleural biopsy, which unequivocally showed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This case shares many features with the few cases already reported in the medical literature. Possible pathogenic mechanisms are reviewed and discussed in detail.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.