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Cutaneous tuberculosis in three HIV-infected patients
S Chiewchanvit1, P Mahanupab, P F Walker
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
Summary
Cutaneous tuberculosis is rare in HIV patients, but this study details three cases with skin lesions and lung involvement. Diagnosis utilized histopathology, PCR, and M. tuberculosis cultures, highlighting varied skin presentations.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant opportunistic infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals.
- While pulmonary TB is common in HIV, extrapulmonary manifestations, particularly cutaneous TB, are less frequently encountered.
- Understanding diverse TB presentations is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment in immunocompromised populations.
Observation:
- Three HIV-positive patients with co-existing lung and cutaneous tuberculosis were analyzed.
- Case 1 presented with a solitary nodular skin lesion on the forearm.
- Cases 2 and 3 exhibited generalized erythematous papules and vesicopustules on the trunk and extremities.
Findings:
- Histopathology and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmed tuberculosis in Case 1's skin lesion.
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from the skin lesions of Case 2.
- PCR detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in the skin lesions of Case 3.
- These findings confirm diverse cutaneous manifestations of tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients.
Implications:
- This case series underscores the importance of considering cutaneous tuberculosis in HIV patients presenting with unexplained skin lesions.
- Diagnostic methods including histopathology, PCR, and culture are vital for confirming cutaneous TB.
- Early recognition and treatment of cutaneous TB can improve outcomes for HIV-infected individuals.