Abstract
Cutaneous tuberculosis (CT) constitutes approximately 4.8% of all tuberculosis patients and is also likely to show a global rise following the widespread incidence of HIV. The disease continues to present in various morphological forms that elude clinicians. With the arrival of improved culture methods and the availability of PCR, the diagnostic capabilities have increased. The immunopathology of CT compared with pulmonary infection is a relatively neglected area. CT responds satisfactorily to the recommended antituberculous treatment, but increasing reports of multidrug resistance is a matter of concern. Although the impact of drug-resistant strains causing CT is not yet a significant issue as in pulmonary tuberculosis, the situation that is emerging may change in the coming years.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no affiliation or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.