[Isolated mesenteric tuberculosis as the first manifestation of AIDS]

We report a case of mesenteric tuberculosis. Two painful abdominal masses and fever were the first manifestation of disease. Diagnosis was obtained by aspirative punction of a mesenteric adenopathy guided by ultrasonography. AIDS risk factors were not recognized by anamnesis but serum HIV antibodies were detected. Thus, extrapulmonary tuberculosis and the finding of HIV-Ab confirmed the diagnosis of AIDS in our patient. It is necessary to assay for HIV-Ab in extrapulmonary tuberculosis, especially when mesenteric tuberculosis is present.