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Orificial tuberculosis: detection by polymerase chain reaction
Author(s) -
NCHBAR F.,
CASSEN V.,
NCHBAR T.,
MURER M.,
SCHIRREN C.G.,
DGITZ K.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.1996.d01-943.x
Subject(s) - polymerase chain reaction , tuberculosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis , medicine , miliary tuberculosis , tuberculosis diagnosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis complex , pathology , cutaneous tuberculosis , immunology , gene , biology , genetics
Summary Orificial tuberculosis (OT) is a rare manifestation of cutaneous tuberculosis in immunocompromised individuals. Due to its variable clinical features, the diagnosis may be missed at the onset of the disease. We report a 53‐year‐old patient who had OT and miliary spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the lungs, liver, bones and skin. The diagnosis was established by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a Mycobacterium ‐specific gene segment, and confirmed by culture. PCR allows the detection of mycobacterial DNA within a few days, whereas culture takes many weeks. PCR may improve the accurate diagnosis of skin tuberculosis and allow early treatment.