Cutaneous tuberculosis in Morocco

SummaryObjectiveTo describe the salient epidemiologic, clinical, histopathologic, and bacteriologic aspects of cutaneous tuberculosis in Morocco.MethodsA retrospective review of all cases of cutaneous tuberculosis at our hospital from January 1981 through December 2004.ResultsTwo-hundred and sixteen cases of cutaneous tuberculosis were identified and included. Men and women were equally affected. The mean patient age was 29 years. Major clinical types of cutaneous tuberculosis were scrofuloderma and gumma (72%), lupus vulgaris (12%), tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (7%), tuberculids (6%), orificial tuberculosis (1%), and tuberculous chancre (1%). Systemic involvement was seen in 35%. Where performed (66%), 81% of subjects had positive Mantoux skin tests. Lesion biopsy for histopathologic study was performed in 81% of patients and showed classical tuberculous findings in 57%. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in culture from 9% of patients.ConclusionCutaneous tuberculosis is still a common disease in Morocco, and scrofuloderma and gumma are the most common clinical presentations.