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British Journal of Healthcare and Medical Research - Vol. 11, No. 5

Publication Date: October 25, 2024

DOI:10.14738/bjhmr.115.17698.

Carrillo-Vázquez, C., Dzul-Caballero, J. E., & May, V. G. S. (2024). Reactivation of Pulmonary Tuberculosis After 64 Years: Case Report.

British Journal of Healthcare and Medical Research, Vol - 11(5). 109-117.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Reactivation of Pulmonary Tuberculosis After 64 Years: Case

Report

Carolina Carrillo-Vázquez

Facultad De Medicina De La Universidad Autónoma De Yucatán

/ Clínica Hospital Mérida Issste. Calle 21 S/N Comisaría De Susulá,

Mérida, Yucatán, México. Cp 97314

José Emmanuel Dzul-Caballero

Facultad De Medicina De La Universidad Autónoma De Yucatán

/ Clínica Hospital Mérida Issste. Calle 21 S/N Comisaría De Susulá,

Mérida, Yucatán, México. Cp 97314

Valeria Guadalupe Sonda May

Facultad De Medicina De La Universidad Autónoma De Yucatán

/ Clínica Hospital Mérida Issste. Calle 21 S/N Comisaría De Susulá,

Mérida, Yucatán, México. Cp 97314

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pulmonary tuberculosis is a disease with a very high prevalence

worldwide, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). There are several risk

factors associated with the development and clinical expression of this disease.

Culture remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, the IDSA

recommends obtaining three samples for bacilloscopy. It is possible to exclude the

diagnosis if acid-resistant bacilli are not detected in samples of adequate quality

within three days, which may be microscopy of sputum, bronchial secretion or

bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Clinical case: A 78-year-old female with respiratory

symptoms, who had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis in adolescence. Imaging

studies revealed multiple caverns and there was a suspicion of bacterial infection

of the same. He received multiple antimicrobial regimens with worsening of the

symptoms, and it was necessary to perform a bronchoscopy for alveolar lavage

obtaining samples, with the result of tuberculosis disease. Discussion: The

reactivation of tuberculosis is due to multiple factors that can generate

immunosuppression. Sometimes, due to the lack of obtaining adequate samples, it

is not possible to reach an accurate diagnosis, leading to the inappropriate use of

antimicrobials and increasing the risk of resistance, as well as the misuse of

resources and increasing health expenditure. Conclusions: Tuberculosis remains a

very prevalent disease in Mexico and its diagnostic suspicion must be high. The

difficulty that sometimes exists in isolating the bacteria is well known; however,

diagnostic resources should be exhausted when the suspicion of its isolation is high.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, bronchoscopy, bacilloscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage.