Lupus vulgaris and tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (TBVC)--a clinical, pathological and epidemiological study of 71 cases.
BACKGROUND
The epidemiological aspects and diagnostic problems encountered in a rural set up are largely unknown. The present study on cutaneous tuberculosis encompassing clinical, pathological and epidemiological aspects was undertaken at Rajah Muthiah Medical college and Hospital (RMMC&H), a teaching hospital mainly catering to the health needs of a predominantly rural population from villages and hamlets around Chidambaram, a taluq headquarters, located in Cuddalore district ofTamil Nadu.


METHODS
During the period of study, 5744 cases (82%) of pulmonary tuberculosis and 1261 (18%) of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis were encountered. Cutaneous tuberculosis accounted for 117 (1.67%) of tuberculosis cases.


RESULTS
Of the seventy-one patients with cutaneous tuberculosis, 39 had lupus vulgaris and 32 with TBVC. Lupus vulgaris was more prevalent with male pre-ponderance. The maximum incidence was seen in the second decade of life. Both LV and TBVC showed a male pre-ponderance, M:F ratio being 3:2 and 2:1 in LV and TBVC respectively. A majority of patients with LV (27 cases; 69.2%) and TBVC (31 cases; 96.8%) manifested with a single site of involvement. Lower extremities were more commonly involved among patients hailing from poor economic strata who were not habituated to the use of footwear while working out doors. Over crowding was also a contributing factor. The relationships between BCG vaccination and Mantoux test with cutaneous tuberculosis, association with pulmonary tuberculosis in addition to the underlying predisposing socio-economic factors are discussed.
Padmavathy
L
L
Urban Health Centre, Division of Community Medicine, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram-608002, Tamil Nadu.
Lakshmana Rao
L
L
Pari
T
T
Ethirajan
N
N
Krishnaswamy
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D014382:Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult