title: [Cutaneous tuberculosis: a case of difficult classification].
abstract: We describe a case of cutaneous tuberculosis in a 25-year-old Philippine man. Erythematous papulo-nodular lesions, measuring 0.5 to 1 cm, were present on lower limbs; a 2 cm nodule was located on the left flank. The examination of the skin biopsy showed the presence of a superficial and deep perivascular dermatitis with histiocytes, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Ziehl-Nielsen stain for mycobacterium were negative, while the cultural examination led to the isolation of M. tuberculosis. Direct smear and cultural examination of sputum for M. tuberculosis were negative; chest and skeletal roentgenograms, syphilis and HIV infection serology, haematological and hematochemical examinations and urinalysis were negative. Specific treatment with isoniazid, rifampin and ofloxacin led to a rapid remission of cutaneous lesions. This case was particularly difficult to classify, but the Authors think it would be considered a tuberculid.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Dermatologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rotoli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capizzi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carlesimo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Celleno
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cavalieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D010679:Philippines / Q000208:ethnology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014382:Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology