Latent tuberculosis infection in a patient with palmoplantar pustulosis or psoriasis as a marker of infectious process

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is an inflammatory, chronic dermatosis that is considered a type of psoriasis. The disease is prone to recurrent course in the form of sterile pustular eruptions on the palms and soles. Women over 40 years old suffer from it more often. PPP is a disease with a relapsing course, responds poorly to external therapy and often requires systemic treatment by immunosuppressants or biologic drugs. Lesion of skin of the palms and soles can combine with changes in the nail plates and joints. Patients often note a reduced quality of life, changes in psychoemotional background and decrease in working capacity considering the features of this pathology. The exact cause of PPP development is unknown, but it is believed to be multifactorial disease caused by a combination of genetic, immunological and environmental factors. Smoking, stress, infections, certain groups of drugs and concomitant endocrine diseases can be triggers for the development of PPP in presence of genetic predisposition. We present a clinical case of latent tuberculosis infection detection in patient with PPP, which, in turn, possibly was a provoking factor acting as a focus of chronic infection. The article also highlights the issue of latent tuberculosis infection, its screening and risk factors. Groups of patients who are candidates for systemic therapy of psoriasis or who are receiving biologic drugs are of particular interest.