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Pulmonary tuberculosis presenting as fever without source in a pediatric patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Christina Lancioni1, A Desiree LaBeaud, Frank Esper

  • 1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA. christina.lancioni@uhhospitals.org

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|July 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Tuberculosis is a rare cause of fever in pediatric cancer patients. This case highlights primary pulmonary tuberculosis in a boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Children undergoing cancer treatment are susceptible to infections, including opportunistic pathogens.
  • Fever in pediatric cancer patients necessitates thorough evaluation and broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) is an uncommon but significant cause of fever in this population in the US.

Observation:

  • A case of primary pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is presented.
  • The patient was a boy diagnosed with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Findings:

  • This report details a rare instance of primary pulmonary TB in a pediatric ALL patient.
  • The case underscores the importance of considering TB in febrile pediatric cancer patients.

Implications:

  • Increased awareness of TB as a potential cause of fever in immunocompromised children is crucial.
  • Diagnostic protocols for febrile pediatric cancer patients may need to consider TB, especially in endemic areas.
  • This case contributes to the limited literature on tuberculosis in pediatric oncology patients.

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