Silent threat of isolated sphenoid sinus tuberculosis resulting in blindness and ophthalmoplegia.

A diabetic woman in her fifties presented with a sudden onset of failing vision and diplopia involving the right eye for two days, along with fever and headache. Radiological investigations revealed right sphenoid sinusitis along with inflammation around the right orbital apex and optic nerve. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery, with orbital and optic nerve decompression improved the ocular movements, but not the visual acuity. Histopathology was suggestive of a granulomatous inflammatory lesion, and high-resolution computed tommography (HRCT) of the thorax revealed lung lesions suggestive of an old tubercular infection, and antitubercular treatment (ATT) was then initiated.At the end of two months of ATT, there was complete resolution of ophthalmoplegia, relative afferent pupillary defect, direct and consensual light reflex however, failure of improvement in her visual acuity, indicated damage to the optic nerve.Extrapulmonary tuberculosis involving an isolated sphenoid sinus is rare and elusive. Prompt radiological investigations, followed by orbital decompression and ATT, provide the best possible outcomes.

Clofazimine pulmonary crystal deposition syndrome: a case of pseudo haemoptysis.

Clofazimine is an antimycobacterial, anti-inflammatory agent used in the management of leprosy and multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis. It has high oral bioavailability and poor solubility because of which prolonged administration of the drug results in its accumulation as intracellular biocrystals in tissue macrophages. We describe the case of a female patient in her early 30s who was on therapy for MDR tuberculosis. She presented with streaky haemoptysis of 6 months. Radiographic examination showed no abnormality in pulmonary vasculature and parenchyma. Bronchoscopy showed diffuse red-coloured flecks in tracheal and bronchial mucosa. The retrieved bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was reddish-purple in colour. Microscopic examination of BAL fluid showed reddish clofazimine crystal deposition in alveolar macrophages. Serum and BAL clofazimine levels were performed using high performance liquid chromatography which confirmed high drug levels. She developed reddish discolouration of the skin during therapy due to clofazimine deposition. A diagnosis of pulmonary clofazimine crystal deposition syndrome causing pseudohaemoptysis was established.

Tuberculosis immune reconstitution syndrome (TB-IRIS) followed by recurring lymphadenitis up to 8 years post-antituberculous treatment.

We present the case of a patient with HIV and tuberculosis (TB) coinfection who initially developed paradoxical TB immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) post-antituberculous treatment and post-antiretroviral therapy initiation. Despite being managed effectively, lymphadenitis recurred as many as three times over the course of several years. Due to consistent culture-negative lymph node biopsies, the recurring lymphadenitis was eventually deemed inflammatory rather than microbiological recurrences. Cessation of anti-TB treatment led to symptom remission followed by a long asymptomatic period, corroborating the immunological nature of the episodes. However, 5 and 6 years after cessation of anti-TB treatment, respectively, lymphadenitis returned. In both instances, her symptoms regressed without treatment with anti-TB drugs. This case underscores the complexities of managing TB-IRIS and the necessity of differentiating between paradoxical TB-IRIS and other paradoxical reactions for appropriate treatment decisions. Recognition of such distinctions is crucial in guiding effective therapeutic interventions in TB-HIV coinfection scenarios.

Disseminated tuberculosis in PLWHIV presenting as primary adrenal insufficiency.

A woman in her 40s presented with a history of fatigue, symptoms of light-headedness on getting up from a sitting position and hyperpigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes. During the evaluation, she was diagnosed with primary adrenal insufficiency. Radiological imaging and microbiological evidence revealed features of disseminated tuberculosis involving the lungs and the adrenals. She was found to have an HIV infection. This patient was prescribed glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement therapy and was administered antituberculous and antiretroviral treatment.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infection presenting in a patient with unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis.

People who have structural or developmental lung disease are more likely to develop non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. We present the case of a young man in his 30s who had unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis on the right side and presented with a 6-month history of productive cough and fever. His CT scan showed nodular and cavitating lesions on the right side, and sputum analysis confirmed infection with Mycobacterium chimaera He had to undergo modifications in his treatment, including a change from rifampicin to rifabutin due to drug interactions and his amikacin had to be stopped due to signs of vestibular toxicity. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we were able to formulate an appropriate drug regimen for him, and he is now under regular follow-up with infectious diseases and respiratory medicine.

Mycobacterium bovis infection of the appendix: a case of appendiceal tuberculosis in rural England.

Appendiceal tuberculosis is a rare mimic of acute appendicitis, demonstrated by several case reports of patients from tuberculosis endemic countries. On literature review, there are few cases reported of appendiceal tuberculosis in urban England, and no reports from rural England. This case describes a patient with primary appendiceal tuberculosis from a remote district hospital in England who underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected acute appendicitis. Intraoperatively, an abnormal appearance with extensive intra-abdominal adhesions was seen in addition to appendicitis, making the diagnosis dubious. Histology of the appendix was positive for acid-fast bacilli and culture of the intra-abdominal fluid revealed a diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection. The mode of infection was thought to be reactivation of latent bovine tuberculosis from drinking unpasteurised milk in adolescence. Taking a focused history, particularly in those with a farming background, and intraoperative sampling for histology and culture are vital in the diagnosis of appendiceal tuberculosis.

Disseminated tuberculosis in a migrant child.

Tuberculosis (TB) poses a major global health threat, substantially affecting children, who contribute notably to new cases and deaths. Diagnosing TB in kids is challenging due to collection issues and the paucibacillary nature of the disease. Disseminated TB, uncommon in children in low TB incidence countries, remains a significant cause of morbidity in migrant populations. We illustrate a rare case of disseminated TB in a middle-childhood boy who migrated from Angola to France, displaying chronic cough, fatigue, weight loss and persistent fever. Investigations revealed widespread TB affecting several organs (lungs, heart, bones and lymph nodes). Prompt diagnosis led to a treatment regimen of four antibiotics (isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol) and corticosteroids, resulting in substantial improvement after 2 months. Subsequent treatment involved two antibiotics (isoniazid and rifampin) for 10 more months. This case underscores the criticality of early identification and comprehensive treatment for disseminated TB, ensuring improved outcomes and reduced risks.

Disseminated tuberculosis associated with fingolimod treatment in a patient with multiple sclerosis.

Fingolimod is a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator approved as a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). A woman in her 30s was treated with fingolimod for relapsing-remitting MS. After 7 years of treatment, she presented with non-productive cough, night sweats, breathlessness and unintentional weight loss. She had a negative interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). A high-resolution CT thorax showed innumerable miliary opacities in both lungs. Bronchoalveolar lavage was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex PCR. An MRI head showed multiple small punctate contrast-enhancing lesions most typical for tuberculomas. We describe the first reported case of disseminated tuberculosis (TB) associated with fingolimod treatment. Patients who are receiving DMT must be closely observed for the development of opportunistic infections, and IGRA results should be interpreted with caution. Screening for latent TB prior to commencing fingolimod should be considered on an individual basis. The management of TB in MS patients on DMT requires an interdisciplinary approach.

Pericardial actinomycosis.

A man in his 50s, with a history of night sweats and weight loss, presented acutely with dyspnoea and chest pain. Imaging revealed right middle lobe consolidation and a large pericardial effusion. The diagnosis of actinomycosis was made using endobronchial ultrasound-guided sampling from the pericardial effusion. An orthopantomogram demonstrated that the source was a large cavity in the left lower wisdom tooth. This tooth was extracted before the completion of his antibiotic course, and the patient made a full recovery. Cardiac actinomycosis is rare, and there are few case reports describing endobronchial ultrasound-guided sampling of pericardial fluid.

Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis: challenging from every angle.

A woman in her 20s with a recent diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) affecting the ileocaecal valve was started on adalimumab, after routine tuberculosis (TB) tests were negative. Her abdominal symptoms got worse and she started presenting respiratory distress and fever. Tomography revealed a left pleural effusion, pneumonia and peritonitis with pelvic abscess. The diagnosis of disseminated TB with digestive involvement was suggested and sputum cultures were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Treatment for TB was started and immunosuppressants discontinued, leading to respiratory improvement. Abdominal imaging was repeated, showing worsening signs of multisegmental ileal wall thickening, ileocaecal valve obstruction and a persistent pelvic abscess. She was then submitted to a laparoscopic ileocaecal resection for suspicion of worsening CD. Histopathology showed chronic ileocolitis compatible with CD and ganglionic tuberculosis, revealing the diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis superimposed in CD. Recovery was uneventful.

Peripancreatic tuberculosis.

Peripancreatic tuberculosis (PTB) is a very rare variant of tuberculosis and its clinical and radiological findings are similar to those of pancreatic malignancy. Diagnosis of PTB is usually incidental and is made after surgical resection. We are presenting a male patient who had complaints of prolonged fever, significant weight loss and yellowish discolouration of eyes and dark-coloured urine. Investigations revealed that there was a pancreatic mass causing obstructive jaundice. However, the aetiology of the mass, whether tubercular or malignant, was not clear. Hence, the patient was planned for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology. Cytology and aspirate were sent for a cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test which revealed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, sensitive to rifampicin. The patient improved completely after treatment with antitubercular therapy.

Double BCG vaccination in a neonate: implications, management and prevention.

Tuberculosis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality especially in low-income and middle-income countries like India. BCG vaccination is recommended for all neonates after birth in areas with a high tuberculosis disease burden. Here, we describe a case where a neonate received two doses of the BCG (Chennai strain) vaccine within a span of 4 days after birth due to a vaccination error. Parents were informed about the event. The infant was managed conservatively and followed up till 12 months of life for any possible complication. There were no serious adverse effects apart from the localised reaction and a double scar on the left arm. Measures to avoid any such error in the future and the need for reporting medication error has been highlighted. Parental concerns are frequent in such scenarios and should be actively addressed.

Pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection treated in combination with inhaled tigecycline.

Pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium abscessus is difficult to treat, as there is currently no reliable evidence-based treatment. Treatment is long, complex and has many side effects. In this case, we report a patient with treatment-refractory pulmonary M abscessus disease, treated with inhaled tigecycline. Treatment with inhaled tigecycline lasted 15 months with comparably limited side effects. There were no positive mycobacterial cultures in the follow-up period of 2 years. Inhaled tigecycline is an option in the treatment of pulmonary M. abscessus when first-line treatment fails. Additional research should investigate this further.

Pulmonary tuberculosis presenting with cluster sign and galaxy sign.

In a routine medical check-up, a healthy man in his 20s was found to have an upper left lung abnormality. Subsequent chest CT revealed the cluster sign (CS) and galaxy sign (GS). Although tests such as sputum analysis and interferon-gamma assays reduced the likelihood of tuberculosis, these abnormalities remained unchanged. A lung biopsy indicated non-caseating granuloma unrelated to tuberculosis. Initially suspected of sarcoidosis, the patient later developed fever and malaise. Follow-up CT showed CS progressing to a cavitatory shadow and GS intensification. The detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) in a subsequent sputum analysis prompted treatment with antitubercular drugs, leading to symptom relief.CS and GS are usually associated with sarcoidosis but can also occur in tuberculosis, connected to slower pathogen growth and lower isolation rates. Furthermore, pulmonary tuberculosis may ultimately be present even when biopsies show non-caseating granulomas that are not typical of M. tuberculosis and sputum culture results are negative for M. tuberculosis Tuberculosis should not be ruled out lightly, and patients should be carefully followed-up.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infectious monoarthritis in a paediatric patient.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is uncommon in the USA, and when it is diagnosed, it is usually in adult patients with identifiable risk factors presenting with pulmonary manifestations of the disease. Paediatric tuberculosis is rare, and a minority of those cases can present with isolated extrapulmonary infection. When the musculoskeletal system is involved, there are often no constitutional symptoms, and it can resemble other infectious and inflammatory processes. Diagnosis is challenging, and delay leads to irreversible destructive osteoarticular changes. A prompt diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. This report presents a case of successfully diagnosed paediatric M. tuberculosis monoarthritis of the knee to highlight these challenges.

Glue ablation of Rasmussen's aneurysm in a case of epituberculosis.

A woman in her 40s presented with massive haemoptysis and breathlessness for 1 day. She had been diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis based on sputum CBNAAT (Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) and was on antitubercular treatment for previous 2 weeks. Her chest X-ray showed right middle lobe lateral segment dense consolidation with bilateral nodular infiltrates. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) revealed a well-defined homogenously enhancing vascular lesion of size 10×11×13 mm in the right hilar region communicating with the descending branch of right pulmonary artery, suggesting a Rasmussen's aneurysm. It was in close proximity to the segmental bronchus that was almost completely occluded, suggesting epituberculosis. Transvenous pulmonary artery glue embolisation successfully achieved complete ablation of the aneurysm with preserved arterial flow. She has later completed 6 months of antitubercular treatment and is cured with no recurrence of haemoptysis. Her lung infiltrates have resolved with some lung scarring.

Unravelling the mystery of a rare infection: a challenging case of pulmonary sequestration with Mycobacterium avium complex and the importance of a thorough microbiological investigation.

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital condition. It is a dysplastic lung tissue with a separate systemic blood supply and without a bronchial tree connection. The emergence of a superimposed infection can lead to its diagnosis, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Nocardia asteroids and Aspergillus sp pneumonia. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) superimposed disease is exceedingly rare. We report a case of a man in his third decade without known medical disorders presenting with a persistent cough. After an extensive microbiological workup, an MAC infection was diagnosed. An elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) was also noted. He was treated with antimycobacterial therapy and lobectomy resulting in clinical improvement and CA19-9 normalisation. This case illustrates the value of comprehensive microbiological investigations in patients with chronic respiratory symptoms and imaging findings that are not typical of bacterial pneumonia. Clinical studies remain needed to investigate the utility of CA 19-9 in a scoring system to guide MAC therapy.