Faizal M, Jimenez G, Burgos C, Del Portillo P, Romero RE, Patarroyo ME. Diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction using a species-specific gene.
Int J Dermatol 1996;
35:185-8. [PMID:
8655234 DOI:
10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb01636.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), especially cutaneous TBC, by conventional microbiologic methods is still a very laborious process and the results are usually inconclusive. Our purpose was to identify M. tuberculosis bacilli in uncultured clinical samples from skin lesions by means of the rapid, specific, and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
METHODS
The PCR, using a set of species-specific primers, was performed on biopsies and fluid secretions from lesions.
RESULTS
A positive amplification reaction was observed in three of the four samples studied. For one of the samples, the result was confirmed by a positive culture in Löwenstein-Jensen medium and for the other two, by molecular hybridization and the clinical course of the patients after treatment. Samples obtained from a patient with panniculitis of Christian-Weber and a normal skin biopsy were included as negative controls.
CONCLUSIONS
We propose the PCR method as a tool for the diagnosis of cutaneous TBC. The presence of the M. tuberculosis in an erythema induratum of Bazin suggests a revision of the concept of this disease as a tuberculide reaction.
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