A case of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis combined with pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organ systems. The standard treatment mainly relies on glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents. In our study, we present an EGPA patient who had pulmonary tuberculous mycobacteria infection, such cases are rarely reported.

A 71-year-old male patient was diagnosed with EGPA (systemic type) and pulmonary tuberculosis simultaneously.

The Five-Factor score indicated that the patient required glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressive agents for induction therapy, however, the use of immunosuppressive agents would significantly inhibit antituberculosis treatment. Nowadays, treating active autoimmune disease in patients with infections remains a clinical challenge.

Considering the patient did not show life-threatening or severe organ involvement and reduced the effect of antituberculosis immunity, we used glucocorticoids alone.

Finally, the patient had no adverse events, the eosinophil counts were markedly decreased and symptoms of EGPA were relieved.

The patient of EGPA combined with pulmonary tuberculosis successfully treated with glucocorticoids alone may provide significant support in selecting the appropriate treatments for similar cases in the future.