Cutaneous Tuberculosis in Children

Abstract

Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that accounts for 1% to 2% of cases. Childhood skin tuberculosis represents 18% to 82% of all cutaneous tuberculosis cases. Scrofuloderma and lupus vulgaris are the two most common clinical forms in children. An increase in the number of tuberculids, especially lichen scrofulosorum, has been observed in the last several years. Cutaneous tuberculosis in children can be severe and have a protracted course. Multiplicity of lesions and multifocal disseminated involvement in scrofuloderma and lupus vulgaris is common. Scrofuloderma progressing to gummatous lesions (scrofulous gumma) is mostly described in children. Morbidities and deformities are more severe in children.

Primary cutaneous tuberculosis associated with reactive cervical lymphadenopathy: a case report

“…1,2 Presently cutaneous TB is rare and makes up only 0.1 to 1.5% of all new cases worldwide, but in high prevalent settings can be up to 2.5 percent. 3,4 Cutaneous TB was first documented in 1826 by Laennec, who reported his own prosector's wart, a variant of TB that resulted from direct entry of the organism into the skin. 5 Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterrium bovis, and the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine can cause tuberculosis involving the skin.…”

Chronic oozing skin lesions in children: Possible tuberculosis? Two case reports

“…Multiplicity of lesions and multifocal disseminated involvement in scrofuloderma and lupus vulgaris is common [6]. In Case 1, the face and neck lesions resembled scrofuloderma (SFD) and the back lesion resembled ulcerative lupus vulgaris (LV), while in Case 2, lesions were consistent with SFD.…”

“…Cutaneous TB can mimic the clinical features of many other skin diseases [4], therefore, it is important to consider TB in a suspected clinical picture [5]. Childhood skin TB continues to be a health problem in tropical countries and represents a large percentage of all cutaneous TB cases [6]. Cutaneous TB has a wide range of clinical presentations and variable differential diagnosis, making diagnosis difficult despite recent advances in diagnostic techniques [7].…”

A 7-year-old girl with multiple skin ulcers: Case report and literature review

“…Although cutaneous TB is a rare form of extrapulmonary TB that accounts for only 1-2% of total TB cases [4], it is important to consider this form in a patient showing symptoms and signs suggestive of this condition.…”