title: Tuberculous ulcer of tongue with oral complications of oral antituberculosis therapy.
abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease affecting humans of all ages in all parts of the world. The dentist plays an important role in the identification and control of this condition by early recognition of oral lesions that may precede the detection of the pulmonary form. Occurrence of increased incidence of mycobacterial infections as a part of the spectrum of AIDS only emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis. A case of a tuberculous ulcer on the tongue along with oral ulcerations, which occurred as a consequence of oral antituberculosis therapy (ATT), is presented. Such complications have rarely been reported in the literature and the management of these is described herein. The tuberculous ulcer healed uneventfully in five weeks after institution of ATT and the other ATT-induced ulcers healed after a week of topical anesthetic application. The clinical presentations, differential diagnoses to be considered, and management of such oral manifestations is discussed. The occupational risk posed by TB to the dentist and appropriate precautions to be observed have been highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya Dental College Hospital, Unit of Yenepoya Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Nithyanand Nagar Post, Deralakatte, Mangalore 575 018. drajaynayak@yahoo.com
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Ajay
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laxmikanth
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Prashanth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D011718:Pyrazinamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D012293:Rifampin / Q000009:adverse effects; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D014393:Tuberculosis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D011718:Pyrazinamide; D004977:Ethambutol; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin