Asseray N, Puisieux F, Desurmont I, Savage C, Fauchais AL, Senneville E, Dewailly P. [Atypical presentation of tuberculosis in the elderly: a case report of pleuropericarditis].
Rev Med Interne 2000;
21:187-90. [PMID:
10703076 DOI:
10.1016/s0248-8663(00)88249-1]
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The incidence of tuberculosis is increasing, particularly in the elderly, and has various clinical presentations.
EXEGESIS
We describe the case of a 78-year-old woman who presented tuberculous pleuropericarditis. This case is atypical, due to infection localisation, negativity of the tuberculin skin test, and mixed pleural effusion. Following antituberculosis antibiotic therapy and corticotherapy, the outcome was favorable.
CONCLUSION
Due to atypical and non-specific clinical presentation, diagnosis of tuberculosis may be particularly difficult in the elderly.
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