Related Experiment Videos
[Atypical presentation of tuberculosis in the elderly: a case report of pleuropericarditis]
N Asseray1, F Puisieux, I Desurmont
1Service des Maladies Infectieuses, Centre Hospitalier de Tourcoing, France.
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|March 7, 2000
Abstract
Introduction:
The incidence of tuberculosis is increasing, particularly in the elderly, and has various clinical presentations.
Exegesis:
We describe the case of a 78-year-old woman who presented tuberculous pleuropericarditis. This case is atypical, due to infection localisation, negativity of the tuberculin skin test, and mixed pleural effusion. Following antituberculosis antibiotic therapy and corticotherapy, the outcome was favorable.
Conclusion:
Due to atypical and non-specific clinical presentation, diagnosis of tuberculosis may be particularly difficult in the elderly.