Mycobacteria in prurigo nodularis: the cause or a consequence?
BACKGROUND
Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic skin disorder; its cause remains unknown.


OBJECTIVE
We evaluated mycobacteria as a possible cause of PN.


METHODS
Forty-three patients with PN were examined. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained for microbiologic and histopathologic studies. The patients were tested for intracutaneous reactivity to 12 mycobacterial antigens with the Mantoux technique.


RESULTS
Six specimens (14%) grew mycobacteria in culture: M. avium-intracellulare (3), M. malmoense (1), and Mycobacterium sp. (2). Histopathologically, 12 samples (28%) were positive for acid-fast bacilli, and granulomatous changes were present in one sample. Patients whose cultures were positive for mycobacteria had significantly larger skin reactions to mycobacterial antigens. Two patients underwent 2 years of antituberculous chemotherapy; one had an excellent response and the other a partial response.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of mycobacteria by culture or staining, combined with elevated skin reactivity to mycobacteria in a high proportion of patients with PN, suggests a mycobacterial cause.
Mattila
J O
JO
Department of Dermatology, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
Vornanen
M
M
Vaara
J
J
Katila
M L
ML
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009450:Neurodermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011536:Prurigo / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012074:Remission Induction; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014374:Tuberculin Test
D000995:Antitubercular Agents