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Published on: November 20, 2015
Congenital tuberculous lymphadenitis in a preterm infant in Greece
Z Hatzistamatiou1, J Kaleyias, U Ikonomidou
1Neonatal Department, General District Hospital of Athens Alexandra, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Congenital tuberculosis, a rare condition, poses risks during pregnancy. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for newborns, with PCR assays aiding prompt identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Tuberculosis
Background:
- Congenital tuberculosis (TB) is rare but increasingly recognized due to epidemiological shifts.
- Pregnancy with TB presents heightened risks for congenital TB transmission.
- Maternal miliary TB and meningitis preceded the infant's diagnosis.
Observation:
- A case of a 6-day-old premature infant with tuberculous lymphadenitis is presented.
- Acid-fast bacilli were identified in lymphatic tissue smears.
- Cultures confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis infection.
Findings:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay of lymph node material was positive for M. tuberculosis.
- The infant presented with atypical clinical manifestations of congenital TB.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for favorable outcomes.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in neonates with suspected congenital TB.
- PCR assay is a valuable tool for rapid diagnosis in at-risk newborns.
- Emphasizes the need for heightened awareness of TB in pregnant individuals.
Unlabelled:
Congenital tuberculosis is a rare disease. The risk of tuberculosis in pregnancy has increased owing to recent changes in the epidemiology of the disease, which have led to an increased risk of congenital tuberculosis. We present a case report on a 6-d-old premature infant with tuberculous lymphadenitis. Smears of the lymphatic tissue contained acid-fast bacilli, and cultures were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay of the suppurative material of the lymph node was positive for M. tuberculosis. Twenty days before onset of labour, the mother developed miliary tuberculosis and meningitis.
Conclusion:
The atypical clinical manifestations of congenital tuberculosis and the devastating consequences in the absence of early therapy signify the importance of early diagnosis and treatment during the neonatal period. PCR assay is a useful technique for prompt diagnosis in neonates with clinically suspected infection.
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