Clinico-epidemiological study of cutaneous tuberculosis in a tertiary care hospital of Rajasthan

India constitutes about one fourth of the Global TB burden. Cutaneous TB is less common clinical form of tuberculosis accounting for 1-2 % of the total extra-pulmonary cases. Objective of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological pattern of Cutaneous TB presenting in the Skin Outpatient Department (OPD). Patients presenting with clinically suspected skin lesions of Cutaneous TB from January 2015 to August 2016 were included in the study. Dermatological and systemic examination was carried out and histopathogical examination of skin punch biopsy was done. It was observed that out of a total of sixty patients, 45 (75%) patients were found to have features of Cutaneous TB on histopathology. Lupus vulgaris (42.2%) was the most common form of Cutaneous TB. Most patients were in age group of 11-30 years. Male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Most common sites of involvement were lower limbs and neck. Mantoux test was positive(≥15 mm induration) in 66.7% cases. Typical tuberculoid histology was found in 91.1% cases. No cases of tuberculids were seen and non-specific chronic inflammation was seen in six cases. It was concluded that Cutaneous TB may present with different morphological patterns resembling other inflammatory, infective and neoplastic conditions. Proper and thorough investigations are necessary for detection of Cutaneous TB as the annual incidence of total TB cases in India is high.