Sputum Smear and Culture-negative Tuberculosis with Associated Pleural Effusion: A Diagnostic Challenge

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Due to the unpredictable or nonspecific nature of its clinical presentations, TB can be a diagnostic challenge for physicians. In 2013, 23% of reported TB cases were culture-negative in the United States; in New York City, this was approximately 27%. The increasing number of sputum smear- and culture-negative TB patients is a serious concern because misdiagnosis and delayed treatment can lead to increased morbidity and mortality and increased infectious transmission. We report a case of a 26-year-old-female recent immigrant, who was initially managed for community-acquired pneumonia but was later found to have TB with complicated pleural effusion, despite having multiple smear- and culture-negative sputum specimens, Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)/resistance to rifampin (RIF) assay (real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) and pleural fluid analysis. She improved clinically on anti-tuberculosis therapy and, later, the diagnosis was confirmed by pleural biopsy.