Cutaneous tuberculosis of the penis in an HIV-infected adult

Abstract

We report a case of cutaneous penile tuberculosis (TB) in an HIV-positive man masquerading as a sexually transmitted infection. This case details a patient who was diagnosed with HIV and achieved virological suppression on antiretroviral therapy. He subsequently stopped his therapy and travelled to a TB-endemic area. Upon return, new penile lesions developed and cultures were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This diagnosis was accomplished due to an inguinal immune reconstitution inflammatory response after the patient restarted antiretroviral therapy. This case demonstrates the rarity of penile TB and cutaneous TB in association with HIV.