Erythroderma: an unusual presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis

We report an elderly Chinese man who presented with erythroderma. He was treated with topical corticosteroids and emollients, but did not improve. Chest X-ray revealed cavitation in the right upper pulmonary lobe, and laryngeal swab culture was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Polymerase chain reaction performed on a skin biopsy was positive for M. tuberculosis DNA. Within a month of starting antituberculous medication, his erythroderma had almost completely resolved. Pulmonary tuberculosis should be included in the list of differential diagnosis for erythroderma.