Tuberculosis cutis (overview) A18.4

Infection of the skin with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (see Table 1).

• Exogenous: As a consequence of a primary or superinfection.
• Endogenous: By lymphogenic or haematogenic spread.

The following forms of tuberculosis (see tuberculosis below) can manifest themselves on the skin and can be distinguished clinically and morphologically as entities:

• Tuberculosis cutis luposa
• Tuberculosis cutis colliquativa
• Tuberculosis cutis miliaris disseminata
• Tuberculosis cutis verrucosa
• Tuberculosis fungosa serpiginosa
• Tuberculosis ulcerosa mucosae et cutis
• Tuberculosis subcutanea et fistulosa

The following epidemiological data can be derived from a larger Brazilian collective (n=75 patients) with cutaneous tuberculosis (Mann D et al. 2019):

w>m

Average age: 42 years

Distribution pattern of the different entities:

• Tuberculosis cutis colliquativa 50.7%
• Erythema induratum Bazin 18.7%
• Tuberculous gums: 13,3%
• Tuberculosis cutis luposa 8%
• Tuberculosis cutis verrucosa 4%
• Tuberculosis mucosae 2.7%

See below the respective clinical picture listed under definition.

Cutaneous tuberculosis

1. Mann D et al (2019) Cutaneous tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: description of a series of 75 cases. Int J Dermatol doi: 10.1111/ijd.14617.