Tuberculous broncho-oesophageal fistula in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Mycobacteria are the most common bacterial infections occurring in AIDS patients. Although the gastrointestinal tract is commonly involved, there has been only one case report of oesophageal infection. We report a patient in whom oesophageal tuberculosis was the presenting feature of AIDS and review the features of mycobacterial infections in AIDS. The incidence of extrapulmonary infection is common and mycobacterial oesophagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oesophagitis in AIDS.