Unfolding of the aorta (aortitis) associated with pulmonary tuberculosis

Dilatation of the thoracic aorta was observed in a significant number of normotensive tuberculous patients below the age of 40 years. Histological examination in a selected number of patients showed a non-specific aortitis. It is suggested that aortitis is probably due to an auto-immune response related to pulmonary tuberculosis and that tuberculosis should be recognized as a common cause of unfolding of the aorta in the African.