Tuberculous pericarditis on autopsy: A case report

Abstract

The primary aims of tuberculosis (TB) control program are early diagnosis and prompt treatment of infectious cases to limit transmission. Failure to diagnose and adequately treat TB could lead to premature death and unrecognized transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The diagnosis of TB etiology in pericarditis is important since the prognosis is excellent with specific treatment. The clinical features may not be distinctive, and the diagnosis is often missed. The incidence of TB pericarditis is increasing not only in Afro-Asian countries but also the world over, since the introduction of HIV infection. A case of 82-year-old female who died after a long history of dyspnea, weakness and fever is reported herewith. She was never investigated for TB. This case report highlights that the diagnosed cases of TB could actually represent just the tip of the iceberg. There is, therefore, a need for increased awareness and to include post-mortem data in the annual statistics of TB for precise assessment and reporting of the magnitude of the TB burden in the country.