Severe disseminated tuberculosis in a 4-month-old infant initially presenting with multiform cutaneous lesions

Abstract

A 4-month-old female infant presented with 1 month history of horizontal nystagmus and discrete multiform skin lesions. The patient was initially diagnosed with congenital nystagmus and staphylococcal skin infection not responding to antimicrobial agents. The development of severe systemic symptoms led to extensive investigations and the diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) was isolated from the skin and cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrizinamide, streptomycin and dexamethasone. Skin lesions resolved completely but severe neurological deficits persisted.