Ann Dermatol.  1992 Jul;4(2):124-127. 10.5021/ad.1992.4.2.124.

A Case of Widespread Skin Tuberculosis Following BCG Vaccination

• Choi HR
• Hong CK
• Ro BI

• KMID: 2361755
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.1992.4.2.124

Abstract

Dermatologic complications attributed to BCG vaccination are rarely seen. We report a case of widespread skin tuberculosis following BCG vaccination. A 28-year old female visited our outpatient clinic because of erythematous plaques and atrophic patches on the upper chest, both axillae, neck and frontal scalp. Her skin lesion had developed on the right shoulder after BCG vaccination.18 years ago, and gradually extended. She was treated under the impression of psoriasis at private clinic for recent 2 years, but her skin lesions were aggravated. Tuberculin skin test revealed positive reaction. Histopathologic examinations from scalp, posterior neck and axilla revealed granulomatous structures composed of giant cells, epithelioid cells and lymphoid cells in the dermis, but tubercle bacilli were not found in AFB stain. After 9 months of treatment with antituberculous medications such as streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampin and ethambutol, her skin lesions were almost healed.

Keyword

Skin tuberculosis; BCG vaccination

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care Facilities
Axilla
Dermis
Epithelioid Cells
Ethambutol
Female
Giant Cells
Humans
Isoniazid
Lymphocytes
Mycobacterium bovis*
Neck
Psoriasis
Rifampin
Scalp
Shoulder
Skin Tests
Skin*
Streptomycin
Thorax
Tuberculin
Tuberculosis, Cutaneous*
Vaccination*
Ethambutol
Isoniazid
Rifampin
Streptomycin
Tuberculin