Cutaneous Tuberculosis of the Penis and Sexual Transmission of Tuberculosis Confirmed by Molecular Typing

Abstract

A case of culture-positive primary cutaneous Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the penis was diagnosed in a male patient; 1 year later, endometrial tuberculosis was diagnosed in the patient's wife. These organisms were confirmed to be indistinguishable by use of molecular techniques.

An update on lower urinary tract tuberculosis

“…Endometrial biopsy grew M. tuberculosis . Molecular analysis by restriction fragment length polymorphism revealed the organisms from the husband and wife to be genetically identical [ 31 ]. Tuberculosis transmission by direct contact has also been reported during ritual circumcisions in which ritual kissing of the circumcised penis is performed [ 32 ].…”

“…Usually it develops secondary to primary pulmonary infection, with hematogenous spread. It is well established, however, that tuberculosis can also spread by direct contact, through sexual intercourse [ 31 ]. Genital tract tuberculosis in women often presents with menstrual cycle irregularities including amenorrhea, infertility, or colposcopic ulcerative lesions of the cervix or endometrium grossly indistinguishable from cancer [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Prostatic tuberculosis in an HIV infected male

“…Though sexual transmission of M tuberculosis has been reported, it is extremely rare. 7 The clinical findings in prostatic tuberculosis are often nonspecific. The most common findings are scrotal lesions, lower urinary tract symptoms, and painless haematuria.…”

Cutaneous infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis: how has this altered with the changing epidemiology of tuberculosis? editorial review

“…The presence of mycobacteria in skin lesions is also a potential source of infection and episodes of transmission from both skin and penile lesions have been recorded [13,14]. Therefore, superficial lesions of tuberculosis are not entirely benign, although their prognosis is always said to be good.…”