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Primary inoculation skin tuberculosis by accidental needle stick.
Inês Belchior1, Bárbara Seabra, Raquel Duarte
1Department of Pulmonology, Hospital de São João, Porto, Portugal. inesbelchior@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|June 14, 2012
Summary
A laboratory worker developed skin and lymph node lesions after exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Standard tuberculosis treatment successfully resolved the symptoms, indicating effective management of occupational exposure.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Occupational exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis can lead to disseminated disease.
- Cutaneous manifestations and lymphadenopathy are potential signs of tuberculosis infection.
Observation:
- A laboratory worker presented with a finger skin lesion after a needle prick injury during Mycobacterium tuberculosis sample handling.
- Subsequent development of axillary lymphadenopathy and erythema nodosum on lower limbs was noted.
Findings:
- Pathology of the initial skin lesion showed chronic inflammation without granulomas.
- Fine needle aspiration biopsy of the lymph node revealed epithelioid granulomas, Langhans' giant cells, and acid-fast bacilli.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing diverse clinical presentations of tuberculosis following occupational exposure.
- Prompt diagnosis and standard antitubercular therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes in such cases.
- Effective management can prevent disease progression and relapse.
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