Cutaneous tuberculosis. Part II: Complications, diagnostic workup, histopathologic features, and treatment

Despite the availability of effective treatment regimens for cutaneous tuberculosis, challenges to disease control result from delayed diagnosis, infection with multidrug-resistant mycobacterial strains, and coinfection with HIV. Delayed diagnosis can be mitigated when dermatologists are sensitized to the clinical signs and symptoms of infection and by the incorporation of appropriate diagnostic tests. All cases of cutaneous tuberculosis should be confirmed with histopathology and culture with or without molecular testing. In each case, a thorough evaluation for systemic involvement is necessary. Mycobacteria may not be isolated from cutaneous tuberculosis lesions and therefore, a trial of antituberculosis treatment may be required to confirm the diagnosis. The second article in this 2-part continuing medical education series describes the sequelae, histopathology, and treatment of tuberculosis.