When biopsy fails, DNA speaks: a difficult diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis

Authors

  • Luis Arancibia Romero Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas
  • José Angelo Lauletta Lindoso Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas
  • Ana Angélica Bulcão Portela-Lindoso Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas
  • César Cilento Ponce Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas
  • Alessandra Moraes Barros Vieira Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5935/2764-734X.e20250872-en

Keywords:

Tuberculosis, Cutaneous, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Case Report, Tuberculose Cutânea, Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase, Mycobacterium tuberculo, Relato de Caso

Abstract

Cutaneous tuberculosis presents a diagnostic challenge. This report describes the case of an adolescent with a chronic, single verrucous lesion that persisted for years without resolution. Despite an epidemiological link to tuberculosis, the absence of corroborating evidence hindered a definitive diagnosis (multiple inconclusive microbiological, histological, and molecular examinations had been performed). The elucidation occurred through a new biopsy in which quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in fresh tissue. Once the diagnosis was confirmed, the patient received standard tuberculosis treatment and experienced complete resolution of the lesion.

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References

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Published

2025-10-06

How to Cite

1.
Romero LA, Lindoso JAL, Portela-Lindoso AAB, Ponce CC, Vieira AMB. When biopsy fails, DNA speaks: a difficult diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis. IeE [Internet]. 2025 Oct. 6 [cited 2026 Mar. 15];4:e20250872. Available from: https://infectionsinevidence.org/index.php/journal/article/view/53

Issue

Vol. 4 (2025)

Section

Case Reports

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