Papulonecrotic tuberculid

Papulonecrotic tuberculid is a skin condition that is considered to be a form of tuberculosis. It is characterized by recurrent crops of symmetrically distributed 1 to 2 mm papules that heal with varioliform scarring.

Signs and Symptoms

The main symptom of papulonecrotic tuberculid is the appearance of small, necrotic skin papules. These papules are usually symmetrically distributed and often heal with scarring. Other symptoms may include fever, malaise, and weight loss.

Causes

Papulonecrotic tuberculid is caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria cause an infection in the body, which then triggers an immune response. This immune response results in the formation of the characteristic skin lesions.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of papulonecrotic tuberculid is typically made based on the clinical presentation and a skin biopsy. The biopsy will show necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, which is characteristic of this condition. Additional tests may be done to confirm the presence of tuberculosis, such as a tuberculin skin test or a chest x-ray.

Treatment

The treatment for papulonecrotic tuberculid involves treating the underlying tuberculosis infection. This is typically done with a combination of antituberculous drugs. In some cases, corticosteroids may also be used to help reduce inflammation.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for papulonecrotic tuberculid is generally good. However, if left untreated, the condition can lead to significant scarring and disfigurement.

See Also

• Tuberculosis
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Papules
• Antituberculous drugs

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