Phenotypic and genotypic diagnosis of bone and miliary tuberculosis in an HIV+ patient in Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

Tuberculosis is the single most frequent cause of death by an infectious agent worldwide. Diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is not always possible through conventional methods, due to the long time required for cultures and the paucibacillary nature of samples; hence the need of rapid molecular methods. HIV infection increases the risk of tuberculosis, and HIV/tuberculosis coinfection is associated with higher mortality.

We describe the case of a 56-year old mestizo male patient suspected of having tuberculosis who consulted the San Ignacio Hospital in Bogotá with a two-month history of a painful ulcerated lesion over the distal third area of the right forearm and in whom HIV coinfection was confirmed.

Bone and pulmonary histological examination evidenced multiple granulomas, giant cells and fibrosis. Cultures and IS6110-PCR from lung and bone tissues were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were sensitive to first line drugs.