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Arquivos de Medicina
On-line version ISSN 2183-2447
Abstract
TEIXEIRA, Nelson; MOTA, Patrícia Caetano and DUARTE, Raquel. An exuberant allergic reaction following tuberculin skin test. Arq Med [online]. 2012, vol.26, n.2, pp.63-64. ISSN 2183-2447.
The authors describe a case of a 46-year-old female, asymptomatic, previous healthy, observed for tuberculosis contact screening. Twenty-four hours after tuberculin skin test (TST), she presented an exuberant skin reaction with facial urticariform lesions associated with lip oedema and also with punctiform erythematous and pruriginous lesions along her legs. An anti-histaminic was prescribed and she presented a favourable clinical evolution. Seventy-two hours post-procedure, a positive TST response was denoted by a 22 mm induration with blister formation. Tuberculin skin test has for decades been used to screen tuberculosis infection. Local hypersensitivity reaction is expected as it constitutes the test basic mechanism. Serious TST adverse reactions are rare. This case illustrates a diffuse skin allergic reaction that occurred 24 hours after TST. Despite being rare, health professionals and patients must be aware of their occurrence.
Keywords : Tuberculosis; tuberculin skin test; hypersensitivity.