Unusual Association of Intestinal Tuberculosis and Thalassemia: A Case Report

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22516/25007440.942

Keywords:

tuberculosis, thalassemia, glutathione, iron, case report

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that can be prevented and cured, but it is still associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Disseminated tuberculosis, although rare, can occur in individuals with underlying pathologies that affect the immune system. Currently, there are limited reports on disseminated tuberculosis in individuals with congenital disorders.

Clinical case: We present a case of a patient with a history of β thalassemia who was admitted to the emergency department with symptoms of abdominal pain and constitutional symptoms. The final diagnosis was disseminated tuberculosis. This case is of particular interest due to its atypical presentation, the initial suspicion of malignancy, and the extensive involvement of the disease despite the patient’s absence of immunosuppression history.

Conclusions: Disseminated tuberculosis in immunocompetent patients is a rare presentation associated with poor outcomes. The history of β thalassemia may be a risk factor to consider based on the metabolic pathways involved in the pathophysiology of both diseases.

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Author Biographies

Nicolás Téllez Castillo, Hospital universitario San Ignacio

Médico general, residente de medicina interna. Bogotá, Colombia.

Catherin Vanessa Tovar Sánchez, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio

Médico general, residente de medicina interna. Bogotá, Colombia.

Anggie Vélez Bohórquez, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio

Médico general, residente de patología. Bogotá, Colombia.

Paola Andrea Roa Ballestas, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio

Médico internista y gastroenteróloga. Bogotá, Colombia.

Ivan Enrique Gonzalez Mendoza, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio

Medico internista , fellow de gastroenterología y endoscopia. Bogotá, Colombia.

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Figure 2. Granulomatous colitis with hematoxylin and eosin. A. 4x, colonic mucosa, arrows point to granulomas. B. 10x, the lamina propria shows the formation of well-defined granulomas and some neutrophil abscesses. C. 40x, epithelioid granuloma. Source: Patient’s medical record.

Published

2023-06-22

How to Cite

Téllez Castillo, N., Tovar Sánchez, C. V., Vélez Bohórquez, A., Roa Ballestas, P. A., & Gonzalez Mendoza, I. E. (2023). Unusual Association of Intestinal Tuberculosis and Thalassemia: A Case Report. Revista Colombiana De Gastroenterología, 38(2), 221–228. https://doi.org/10.22516/25007440.942

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Case report

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