A Report of Cutaneous Tuberculosis in Siblings

Abstract

Cutaneous tuberculosis is rarely seen in the United States, and we are unaware of any reports of siblings sharing the diagnosis. We report an instance of cutaneous tuberculosis affecting two sisters. The first sibling had skin biopsy specimen findings suggestive of an infectious source, but special stains and cultures were negative. Only with further evaluation using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was the diagnosis established. The second sibling had positive staining for acid-fast bacilli, though her cultures were also negative. A high level of suspicion for tuberculosis should be maintained in otherwise healthy children with nonspecific, granulomatous disorders of the skin. PCR may be a useful tool for selected cases in which a high level of clinical suspicion exists, but special stains and cultures are negative.

A report of scrofuloderma in siblings

“…Occurrence of cutaneous tuberculosis in family members is rare. Only one report of lupus vulgaris in two sisters has been previously described 1 . The present report describes scrofuloderma of the cervical glands in two brothers.…”

A young man with expanding atrophic lesions

“…The latter normally occurs in the head and neck region . and 40% of patients may have regional lymphadenopathy …”

“…1 and 40% of patients may have regional lymphadenopathy. 5 Cutaneous complications of BCG in the immunocompetent host include cutaneous granulomas, fixed drug eruption, BCG-induced LV, BCG infection following mesotherapy, and development of BCG granulomas in patients with Kawasaki disease. 6 This case is particularly unusual, as it involved multiple distant sites in an immunocompetent young man.…”

Hidradenitis Suppurativa : Nidus for Scrofuloderma

“…His younger brother also had similar complaints. 5,6 Clinical examination revealed multiple oozing plaques on axillae, groin, perineal region and multiple puckered scars. Investigations showed increased ESR, FNAC of lymph node showed AFB.…”