eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Mycobacterial Infections

Papulonecrotic Tuberculids: Follow-up

Author: Robert L Chen, MD, PhD, Instructor, Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago Medical Center
Coauthor(s): David Barnette, Jr, MD, Chief of Dermatopathology, Departments of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Naval Medical Center at San Diego
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 9, 2009

Follow-up

Complications

  • Complications include significant varioliform scarring and those of tuberculosis infections, including progression to lupus vulgaris.

Prognosis

  • Patients typically follow a waxing and waning course lasting many years, although spontaneous resolution has been reported.
  • Papulonecrotic tuberculids respond promptly to appropriate antituberculosis therapy. New lesions cease forming within days to weeks after therapy is initiated, and existing lesions heal rapidly, usually within several months. Recurrences are rare after appropriate therapy.
  • Unfortunately, despite even the most aggressive efforts, mortality is high in those infected with multidrug resistant tuberculosis.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Papulonecrotic Tuberculids

Overview: Papulonecrotic Tuberculids
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Papulonecrotic Tuberculids
Treatment & Medication: Papulonecrotic Tuberculids
Follow-up: Papulonecrotic Tuberculids
Multimedia: Papulonecrotic Tuberculids
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

papulonecrotic tuberculid, PNT, necrotizing skin papules, tuberculosis hypersensitivity, TB antigens

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert L Chen, MD, PhD, Instructor, Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago Medical Center
Robert L Chen, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatology Foundation, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

David Barnette, Jr, MD, Chief of Dermatopathology, Departments of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Naval Medical Center at San Diego
David Barnette, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatopathology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Terry L Barrett, MD, Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine; Director, ProPath Dermatopathology, Dallas, Texas
Terry L Barrett, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, College of American Pathologists, and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Lester F Libow, MD, Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory
Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds None; Genentech Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Grant/research funds None; Covance Consulting fee Consulting; Shire  Consulting

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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