Yes, tuberculosis (TB) can cause a specific type of skin lesion referred to as "warty tuberculosis" or Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (TBVC).
What is Tuberculosis Verrucosa Cutis (TBVC)?
Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (TBVC) is a rare form of cutaneous tuberculosis that presents as a painless, warty plaque. It occurs due to the direct inoculation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the skin of a person who has been previously sensitized to the bacteria through a prior infection or vaccination (like the BCG vaccine).
Alternative Names for TBVC
TBVC has several other names, including:
- Warty tuberculosis
- Prosector's wart
- Butcher's wart
- Anatomist's wart
- Postmortem wart
These names reflect the historical association of the condition with individuals who handled infected tissues or cadavers.
Prevalence
While the incidence of TBVC varies geographically, it's more frequently observed in Asia. In India, it's considered one of the more common forms of cutaneous tuberculosis, following lupus vulgaris and scrofuloderma.
In Summary
While the common warts caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are different, tuberculosis can lead to the development of warty lesions on the skin known as Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis. These lesions occur due to direct inoculation of the TB bacteria into the skin of individuals already sensitized to TB.
