title: Cutaneous tuberculosis: a diagnostic dilemma--laboratory inputs.
abstract: Bacterial cultures are the gold standard for diagnosing cutaneous tuberculosis, but there are limitations, despite the advances embracing the innovative technologies, including interferon yrelease assays, enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay, and molecular diagnostics, in addition to conventional skin tests and microscopic pathology. The results and their interpretation of cultures are reviewed for use in day-to-day practice.
authors.affiliation: Dermato-Venereology (Skin/VD) Centre, Sehgal Nursing Home, Panchwati, Delhi, India. drsehgal@ndf.vsnl.net.in
authors.forename: Virendra N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Sehgal
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Sambit N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Sonal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Navjeevan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Nishant
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Verma
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014382:Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial