An incidental finding of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis

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Victoria R Parker1, Jaclyn A Bennet1, Ian M Sanne1

  • 1The Clinical HIV Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits Health Consortium, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases
|September 6, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a 48-year-old man with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) incidentally diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. It emphasizes considering differential diagnoses and managing co-existing TB and leukaemia.

Area of Science:

  • Internal Medicine
  • Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health concern.
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a common haematological malignancy.
  • Co-occurrence of TB and CLL presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of concurrent pulmonary TB and CLL in an HIV-negative individual.
  • To underscore the importance of differential diagnosis in patients with TB or haematological malignancies.
  • To discuss management complexities arising from the dual diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 48-year-old male patient.
  • Review of diagnostic and treatment considerations for co-existing TB and CLL.

Main Results:

  • An incidental diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia was made in a patient presenting with pulmonary tuberculosis.
  • The case highlights the potential for co-occurrence of these distinct conditions.
  • Diagnostic delays and treatment modifications were necessitated by the dual pathology.

Conclusions:

  • Clinicians must consider a broad range of differential diagnoses, including malignancies, in patients with tuberculosis.
  • Simultaneous presentation of TB and CLL requires careful diagnostic evaluation and tailored management strategies.
  • Prompt recognition and integrated care are crucial for optimizing outcomes in patients with co-existing TB and haematological malignancies.

Keywords:
chronic lymphocytic leukaemiahaematologyinfectious diseasesleukaemiatuberculosis

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