Tropical vasculitis and tuberculosis

Attention is drawn to the association of Tropical aortitis, or vasculitis with active or previous tuberculous infection. This suggests that the two diseases may be related. It is recognised that environmental factors may be important since the incidence of this complex appears to be high in the indigenous populations of Southern and Central Africa and uncommon in people of African origin in industrialised nations. Unlike classical Takayasu's arteritis, there does not appear to be any preference for young people or for females.