Disseminated Tuberculosis in an Immunocompetent State: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health concern, particularly in developing nations.
• TB presents with diverse clinical manifestations, often posing diagnostic challenges.
• Tuberculous psoas abscess is typically secondary to spinal TB or adjacent infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Observation:

• A 21-year-old, otherwise healthy female presented with fever, abdominal pain, weight loss, and neck swelling.
• The patient developed a tuberculous left psoas abscess and a cold neck abscess.
• Simultaneously, she exhibited pancytopenia, indicating disseminated disease.

Findings:

• The diagnosis was disseminated tuberculosis without lung involvement.
• The patient received anti-tuberculosis therapy (ATT).
• The condition resolved successfully following treatment.

Implications:

• This case underscores the rarity of tuberculous psoas abscess in immunocompetent individuals.
• It highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by atypical TB presentations.
• Increased awareness of the varied clinical spectrum of TB is crucial, especially in resource-limited settings.