Pathogens (Jul 2023)

Cutaneous Manifestations of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>: A Literature Review

  • Kevin H. Nguyen,
  • Cheldon Ann Alcantara,
  • Ira Glassman,
  • Nicole May,
  • Akaash Mundra,
  • Abinanda Mukundan,
  • Bianca Urness,
  • Sonyeol Yoon,
  • Roajhaan Sakaki,
  • Surbi Dayal,
  • Tanzila Chowdhury,
  • Shakila Harshavardhan,
  • Vadakupattu Ramanathan,
  • Vishwanath Venketaraman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070920
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 7
p. 920

Abstract

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Tuberculosis is an ancient disease that humanity struggled with for centuries and continues to struggle with. The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis often infects the lungs through respiratory transmission and manifests itself through various symptoms, including cutaneous infections. Cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) comprises about 1% to 1.5% of all extrapulmonary manifestations and is often accompanied by polymorphous lesions, including papules, nodules, plaques, ulcers, gummas, and verrucous lesions. CTB is most commonly observed in low-income, HIV, and immunosuppressed populations, similar to intrapulmonary manifestations. The main pathogen for CTB is M. tuberculosis but less commonly with M. bovis and BCG vaccine, and the modes of transmission are largely classified into exogenous and endogenous CTB. Current treatment options for CTB include oral therapy of antibiotic medications such as rifampicin, streptomycin, ethambutol, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide, which is occasionally combined with surgical intervention.

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