Efficacy of direct hemoperfusion with a polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column in miliary tuberculosis

A 75-year-old woman presented with a 10-day history of intermittent fever, general fatigue, and progressive dyspnea. Although she had a low PaO₂/FIO₂ ratio, the cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome was not clear until day 9 in hospital.

We treated the patient with direct hemoperfusion with a polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column incidentally; the PaO₂/FIO₂ ratio improved following this therapy. Acid-fast bacilli, which were not seen in the sputum on admission, were detected in cultures from sputum, urine, bone marrow, liver biopsy, and blood samples, with a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay confirming tuberculosis. She was immediately transferred to a specialized tuberculosis hospital, and after a 3-month treatment, was discharged.

Treatment with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column may provide good results for pulmonary oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by tuberculosis.