Tuberculids: cutaneous indicator diseases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in young patients

In the past years the incidence of tuberculosis has dropped significantly in most parts of Europe and the presentation of symptomatic tuberculosis cases have become increasingly rare. With the recent influx of refugees in Europe coming from tuberculosis endemic areas like the Middle East and Africa, it is expected that the incidence of tuberculosis will increase.

Cutaneous symptoms are important hallmarks that can be of aid for the correct diagnosis of an underlying disease, like tuberculosis.

We describe 2 young patients with tuberculids, respectively lichen scrofulosorum and papulonecrotic tuberculids, caused by a systemic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Tuberculids are cutaneous immunological reactions triggered by a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection elsewhere in the body. The three main manifestations of cutaneous tuberculids are: lichen scrofulosorum, papulonecrotic tuberculids and erythema induratum of Bazin. Whereas the latter is more common, the first two presentations are rare.

It is of importance that clinicians, including dermatologists, are aware of the spectrum of clinical presentations of tuberculosis to halt this destructive and highly contagious disease early in its course.