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Mycobacterial Infections

»What is the classification system of mycobacteria?
»What are the staining characteristics of mycobacteria?
»How many species of Mycobacterium cause infection in human beings?
»Name three mycobacteria in the tuberculosis complex responsible for tuberculosis.
»What is tuberculosis?
»What is the difference between a primary and secondary infection?
»Explain the route of infection in cutaneous tuberculosis.
»Who is at risk of acquiring tuberculosis?
»Describe the histopathologic hallmark of tuberculosis.
»How can one acquire primary cutaneous tuberculosis?
»Describe the clinical manifestation of primary-inoculation cutaneous tuberculosis.
»What are the different types of cutaneous tuberculosis?
»What laboratory tests are used to diagnose Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
»Is lupus vulgaris related to lupus erythematosus or lupus pernio?
»Describe the clinical manifestations of lupus vulgaris.
»Where and when does lupus vulgaris develop?
»What is scrofuloderma?
»Name the vaccination against tuberculosis. What type of vaccination is it?
»What drugs are used in the treatment of tuberculosis?
»What are the major side effects of antituberculous agents?
»What factors have led to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis?
»Are there any special treatment considerations for cutaneous tuberculosis?
»What is the mechanism of action of TNF-a in tuberculosis?
»Describe the pathogenesis of the atypical mycobacteria.
»Describe the pathogenesis of the atypical mycobacteria.
»What is a “swimming pool granuloma”?
»What is a Buruli ulcer?
»Describe the clinical manifestations of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) in both non-AIDS and AIDS patients.
»Which atypical mycobacteria are associated with mesotherapy?
»Which atypical mycobacteria are associated with tattoos?
»Which atypical mycobacteria have been associated with soft tissue fillers?
»How are infections with rapidly growing mycobacteria managed?
»What are some of the key features of Mycobacterium kansasii?

 
 
 

Explain the route of infection in cutaneous tuberculosis.

Cutaneous tuberculosis may be acquired by three possible routes. The first route is exogenous infection acquired from an outside source (primary-inoculation tuberculosis and tuberculosis verrucosa cutis). The second route of infection is endogenous spread. This can occur by contiguous spread (scrofuloderma) or by autoinoculation (periorificial tuberculosis) as organisms are passed from internal organ involvement. The final route is through hematogenous or lymphatic dissemination (lupus vulgaris, miliary tuberculosis, and gummas).

Semaan R, Traboulsi R, Kanj S: Primary mycobacterium tuberculosis complex cutaneous infection: report of two cases and literature review, Int J Infect Dis 12(5):472–477, 2008.