title: Tuberculids: cutaneous indicator diseases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in young patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the past years the incidence of tuberculosis has dropped significantly in most parts of Europe and the presentation of symptomatic tuberculosis cases have become increasingly rare. With the recent influx of refugees in Europe coming from tuberculosis endemic areas like the Middle East and Africa, it is expected that the incidence of tuberculosis will increase.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Cutaneous symptoms are important hallmarks that can be of aid for the correct diagnosis of an underlying disease, like tuberculosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe 2 young patients with tuberculids, respectively lichen scrofulosorum and papulonecrotic tuberculids, caused by a systemic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tuberculids are cutaneous immunological reactions triggered by a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection elsewhere in the body. The three main manifestations of cutaneous tuberculids are: lichen scrofulosorum, papulonecrotic tuberculids and erythema induratum of Bazin. Whereas the latter is more common, the first two presentations are rare.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is of importance that clinicians, including dermatologists, are aware of the spectrum of clinical presentations of tuberculosis to halt this destructive and highly contagious disease early in its course.
authors.affiliation: Emma Childrens' Hospital, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N D L
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Hallensleben
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|Centre for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|Department of Infectious diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, STI outpatient clinic, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H J C
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, OLVG Hospital West, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Lettinga
authors.affiliation: Emma Childrens' Hospital, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Scherpbier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014382:Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents