Clinically atypical cutaneous mycobacteriosis: A therapeutic challenge

Mycobacterium caprae, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, causes tuberculosis in humans and animals, but the incidence in humans is very low worldwide. Direct contact with animals and with unpasteurized dairy products is the most frequent source of contagion. Cutaneous tuberculosis supposes a diagnostic challenge due to its variety of clinical manifestations and the difficulty in demonstrating resistant acid-alcohol bacilli in histological samples. In cases of high suspicion, the initiation of antituberculosis treatment should be considered empirically. Combined therapeutic regimens are necessary to prevent long-term resistance and complications, although the duration of treatment has not been fully established.