title: Cutaneous tuberculosis in Tunisia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberculosis is endemic in Tunisia. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common presentation in our country. Cutaneous presentations are rare (1-2% of cases). The diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis (CT) is difficult. Histological and clinical presentations are polymorphous, many differential diagnoses are available, and it is difficult to isolate Mycobacterium.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We had for aim to study the epidemiological and clinical features of CT in Tunisia, and to compare presentations before and after 1990.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study between January 1991 and December 2011, in which we included all cases of CT observed at the Infectious Diseases and Dermatology Units of the Tunis la Rabta Hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hundred and thirty-seven patients were included, with a mean age of 43.8years; 72.3% were female patients. Hundred and fifty locations were observed, most of which on the head and neck. Scrofuloderma was the most frequent presentation, observed in 65% of cases. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology and/or microbiology in 75.8% of cases. The treatment was prescribed for a mean 11.3months, leading to full recovery in most cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT is still reported in Tunisia. The diagnosis relies mainly on histology. Controlling this mutilating tuberculosis requires a global control of this disease, and especially lymph node location, given the high rate of scrofuloderma.
authors.affiliation: Service des maladies infectieuses, faculté de médecine de Tunis, université Tunis EL Manar, hôpital la Rabta, Tunis, Tunisia. Electronic address: rimabdelmalek@gmail.com.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abdelmalek
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mebazaa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berriche
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kilani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Osman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mokni
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiouiri Benaissa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008177:Lupus Vulgaris / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014382:Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000453:epidemiology; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001500:BCG Vaccine
keywords: Cutaneous tuberculosis; Mycobacterium; Tuberculose cutanée; Tunisia; Tunisie