Cutaneous tuberculosis in Southern Tunisia: clinical and therapeutic particularities

Introduction: Tuberculosis remains a global health burden. Among all sites, cutaneous tuberculosis represents an uncommon manifestation with myriad presentations which explains the high rate of misdiagnosis. We aimed to study epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic features in southern Tunisia. Methods: A retrospective including patients diagnosed extrapulmonary was conducted south Tunisia between 1998 2019. This specified particularities cases over 22-year period. Results: encountered 1663 tuberculosis, among whom 56 were (3.3%). Thirty eight (38) women (67.9%). The mean age 43±20 years. Multifocal noted 12 (21.4%). Systemic symptoms represented by asthenia (55.3%), fever (42.8%) weight loss (37.5%) noted. Elevated C-reactive protein levels (50%) accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rates also diagnosis confirmed histologically (80.4%) microbiologically (12.5%) . median duration antitubercular therapy 11(9-14) months for multifocal (12 cases) 8(6-12) without any other sites (44 cases). Adverse effects 14 (25%). disease evolution favorable 54 (96.4%). Two had relapse (3.6%). Conclusions: Cutaneous common Patients should be screened starting general skin examination. Skin biopsy, cornerstone performed on suspected lesion.