Analysis of cutaneous tuberculosis cases reported from 2000 to 2013 at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health problem; however, the cutaneous form remains rare. Methods: A retrospective analysis examined notified cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) cases from 2000 to 2013 at the University Hospital Clementino Fraga Filho. Results: Twenty-six CTB cases were documented during this period. Erythema induratum of Bazin was the most common form, and 86.7% of such cases occurred in women (p=0.068). Only one patient was HIV positive. Conclusions: This study confirms the rarity of CTB and highlights the need for multicenter studies in order to obtain an adequate number of cases for analysis.

Cutaneous tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: description of a series of 75 cases

“…10 Overall, the studies highlight the predominance of women in this form of presentation. 10,15,18,50 The detection of mycobacteria can be based on identification of genetic material by PCR technique, searching for mycobacterial antigens or fragments, with a positivity of 14-80%. [51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] In our center, this technique is not standardized to CTB.…”

“…times) as well as disseminated TB cases (16.2%, eight times) (the latter calculated only for the last 10 years), contrasting the estimative described in Brazilian literature. 9,10 This difference is most likely explained by the fact that we are a TB reference hospital in Rio de Janeiro state, which has the second highest TB incidence rate in Brazil. 11 Women predominated in our case series, as described in other studies of CTB.…”

“…Our group tend to regard a granulomatous lobular or septolobular panniculitis (with or without vasculitis) in the setting of a clinical, epidemiological, and/or microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis as EIB, which was an important clinical form in our study. It is the most frequent clinical form of CTB in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and even in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil . Another reference hospital also in the city of Rio de Janeiro found 26 cases of CTB in 14 years .…”

“…It is the most frequent clinical form of CTB in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and even in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 10,15,18,50 Another reference hospital also in the city of Rio de Janeiro found 26 cases of CTB in 14 years. 10 Overall, the studies highlight the predominance of women in this form of presentation.…”

“…10,15,18,50 Another reference hospital also in the city of Rio de Janeiro found 26 cases of CTB in 14 years. 10 Overall, the studies highlight the predominance of women in this form of presentation. 10,15,18,50 The detection of mycobacteria can be based on identification of genetic material by PCR technique, searching for mycobacterial antigens or fragments, with a positivity of 14-80%.…”