Rare Tuberculosis Infection Causes Severe Penile Ulceration
BOSTON, MA – A man with a weakened immune system due to a kidney transplant developed a highly unusual tuberculosis (TB) infection that manifested as a severe ulcer on his penis, doctors report. The case, recently detailed in medical literature, highlights the potential for Mycobacterium bacteria to present in unexpected ways, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
While TB typically affects the lungs, it can spread to virtually any part of the body. Penile tuberculosis is exceptionally rare, accounting for less than 1% of all infections in the region.Typically, TB in the urinary and genital tracts is uncommon.
Doctors initially suspected TB due to the patient’s lung involvement and suppressed immune system. Tests confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium in both his respiratory tract and penile tissue, though the specific species couldn’t be identified.
The patient underwent a customized 12-month, four-drug antibiotic regimen to avoid complications with his transplant medication. However,the penile lesion initially worsened,developing into a large,necrotic ulcer and causing breakdown of his foreskin,requiring surgical removal of dead tissue.After 10 months of treatment, the infection showed signs of clearing and the lesion improved.
The source of the infection remains unknown. The patient reported no known exposure to individuals with TB or environments where the bacteria commonly spread, such as correctional facilities. Medical professionals speculate the bacteria may have been present in his transplanted kidney.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the diverse ways TB can present, and the importance of considering atypical symptoms, especially in patients with compromised immune systems. Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or related species like Mycobacterium bovis, creates small lesions throughout the body in its most severe form, known as miliary tuberculosis – a condition named in the 1700s for the millet-seed-like appearance of these lesions.
