Bilateral pleural effusion in a HIV negative patient - TB or not TB?

Travel Med Infect Dis. 2016 May-Jun;14(3):271-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2016.03.010. Epub 2016 Mar 31.

Abstract

Pleural tuberculosis is an infrequent cause of respiratory illness in Europe and usually presents unilaterally. We present the case of a young, immunocompetent sailor from the Phillippines, who presented with bilateral pleural fluid caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the Netherlands. In addition challenges in the diagnostic process are discussed.

Keywords: Diagnostic process; Pleural effusion; Tuberculosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibiotics, Antitubercular / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Europe
  • HIV Seronegativity
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Netherlands
  • Pleural Effusion / microbiology*
  • Rifampin / pharmacology
  • Thorax / diagnostic imaging
  • Tuberculosis, Pleural / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Pleural / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Pleural / microbiology

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antitubercular
  • Rifampin