Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
07:50

A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts

Published on: September 20, 2018

Scrofuloderma--a case series from rural India

Sumit Kar1, Ajay Krishnan, Nitin Gangane

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS), Sewagram, Wardha, Maharashtra. karmgims@gmail.com

The Indian Journal of Tuberculosis
|April 27, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Cutaneous tuberculosis, a rare form of tuberculosis, often presents as scrofuloderma in India, particularly affecting malnourished children and young adults. Diagnosis requires Mantoux testing, cytology, and histopathology, with treatment focusing on medical therapy and addressing immunosuppression.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is an uncommon manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
  • Scrofuloderma is a prevalent form of cutaneous TB in India, predominantly affecting children and young adults.
  • Risk factors include malnutrition and immunosuppression, necessitating comprehensive diagnostic approaches.

Observation:

  • A series of malnourished children presenting with diverse clinical features of scrofuloderma in rural central India were studied.
  • Diagnosis was confirmed through Mantoux test, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and histopathological examination.
  • Clinical presentation varied widely, underscoring the need for a multi-pronged diagnostic strategy.

Findings:

  • Scrofuloderma predominantly affects males (1.5:1 ratio) within the first three decades of life.
  • Malnourished children in a tertiary care setting exhibited a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations.
  • Diagnostic confirmation relied on a combination of clinical, cytological, and histological findings.

Implications:

  • Early diagnosis and treatment of scrofuloderma are crucial for preventing complications.
  • Identifying and managing underlying immunosuppressive conditions is essential for effective TB management.
  • Public health initiatives targeting malnutrition and TB awareness in rural India are vital.

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence01:28

Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence

Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...