Helminthic Infection in the Background of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis: An Underreported Co-infection

Helminthic infections are widely prevalent in resource-poor countries. Tuberculosis, a disease contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality in endemic areas, often co-exists with helminthic infections. Poor living standards predispose to both of them. Moreover, untreated helminthic infection enhances the deleterious impact of tuberculosis, largely through immunological alteration. We are reporting the case of a 22-year-old male who presented with a month-long history of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and cough complicated by hemoptysis, along with an episode of the passage of a worm in the vomitus. A thorough workup revealed active pulmonary tuberculosis co-existing with intestinal ascariasis. Anti-helminthic therapy was initiated along with anti-tubercular therapy, leading to significant improvement.