Infezioni in Medicina
Volume 20, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 120-124

Abdominal tuberculosis in a young immigrant patient: A clinical case [Tubercolosi addominale in un giovane paziente extracomunitario: Descrizione di un caso clinico] (Article)

Masiello A.* , Pacifico P. , Giglio S. , Maio P. , Dell G. , Magliocca M. , Acone N.
  • a A.O.R.N. San Giuseppe Moscati, U.O. Malattie Infettive, Avellino, Italy
  • b A.O.R.N. San Giuseppe Moscati, U.O. Malattie Infettive, Avellino, Italy
  • c A.O.R.N. San Giuseppe Moscati, U.O. Malattie Infettive, Avellino, Italy
  • d A.O.R.N. San Giuseppe Moscati, U.O. Malattie Infettive, Avellino, Italy
  • e A.O.R.N. San Giuseppe Moscati, U.O. Malattie Infettive, Avellino, Italy
  • f A.O.R.N. San Giuseppe Moscati, U.O. Malattie Infettive, Avellino, Italy
  • g A.O.R.N. San Giuseppe Moscati, U.O. Malattie Infettive, Avellino, Italy

Abstract

In developing countries, tuberculosis (TBC) is commonly associated with inadequate socio-economic and sanitary conditions. Currently, in Western countries, TBC is often linked with HIV infection, an ageing population or trans-global migration. Approximately two out of ten TB cases worldwide are extra-pulmonary, of which abdominal tuberculosis accounts for 11%-16%. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex involves the abdomen as primary or secondary localization (hematogenous spread or from pulmonary foci or infected neighbouring organs). Abdominal TBC can infect the gastrointestinal tract, peritoneum, mesentery, abdominal lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and pancreas. Diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis is difficult because of vague and non-specific clinical features and due to the differential diagnosis with other granulomatous diseases such as Crohn's Disease. It is of great importance for clinicians to pay great attention to tubercular aetiology as a possible cause of gastrointestinal symptoms. Here we describe the clinical case of a young immigrant patient with intestinal TB for whom the wrong initial diagnosis led to a delay in the correct diagnosis and a worsening of the already serious general conditions.

Author Keywords

TBC Mycobacterium tuberculosis Intestinal granulomatosis

Index Keywords

immigrant Anus Diseases human osteolysis Combined Modality Therapy diagnostic accuracy Mycobacterium tuberculosis intestine tuberculosis Young Adult Humans Antitubercular Agents male Emigrants and Immigrants case report Tomography, X-Ray Computed Peritonitis, Tuberculous Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal Article Ileal Diseases disease exacerbation Disease Progression Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular diagnostic error Constriction, Pathologic Abdomen, Acute Yersinia enterocolitica Yersinia Infections Ileocecal Valve Morocco Thoracic Vertebrae
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863921562&partnerID=40&md5=81b007e5cb08ad53a3733678783cd637
ISSN: 11249390
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English; Italian