Paradoxical reaction to antitubercular therapy in miliary tuberculosis

[Paradoxical tuberculosis reaction]

Paradoxical tuberculosis reaction is defined as the aggravation of lesions present at diagnosis or the development of new lesions under anti-tuberculosis treatment, after exclusion of other alternate causes. It affects 5 to 30% of tuberculosis patients, with a variable prevalence depending on the site of infection and the clinical background. The diagnosis of paradoxical reaction is one of elimination, and requires having ruled out therapeutic failure, notably linked to poor compliance and/or to the presence of mycobacterial antibiotic resistance. The severity of paradoxical tuberculosis reaction lies in its neurological impairment. Despite its clinical importance, the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood and its management is not consensual. Corticosteroids are the cornerstone in the medical management. The role of anti-TNF agents, currently proposed in cases of corticodependence or corticoresistance, remains to be properly defined.

Paralytic Ileus during Treatment of Pulmonary and Renal Tuberculosis in a Non-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patient: An Unusual Presentation of Tuberculosis-immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

Paralytic ileus as tuberculosis-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) is extremely rare. We herein report a 44-year-old man with pulmonary and renal tuberculosis who developed paralytic ileus 14 days after starting antituberculosis therapy (ATT) despite an initial favorable response to ATT. Paralytic ileus was successfully managed with conservative care. He initially required hemodialysis because of obstructive uropathy due to renal tuberculosis, but he was able to withdraw from dialysis after placement of ureteral stents. TB-IRIS can affect organs other than the original sites of tuberculosis, and the combined use of steroids may be effective for its prevention and treatment.

Relapsing paradoxical reaction in miliary tuberculosis: a case report and literature review

Paradoxical reaction (PR) after initiating anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) is a well-recognized immune phenomenon. Less recognized, however, is a pulmonary reaction that is associated with miliary tuberculosis (TB), which can be a source of diagnostic confusion and progress to respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We report an elderly patient who developed PR associated with respiratory failure following ATT for miliary TB, with radiological and pathological documentation. He responded to corticosteroids, but relapsed twice when the dose was reduced. It is imperative to be familiar with this form of PR to avoid diagnostic pitfalls and initiate appropriate therapy.

Ground-glass opacity as a paradoxical reaction in miliary tuberculosis: A case report and review of the literature

A paradoxical reaction (PR) is an excessive immune response occurring during antitubercular therapy (ATT), but is rare in patients with miliary tuberculosis. A 78-year-old woman complained of general malaise, loss of appetite, and fever for 10 days. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed diffuse, bilateral, discrete miliary nodules. The patient was treated with ATT for miliary tuberculosis. Nine days after starting the treatment, she developed a spiking fever and worsening malaise. Repeat CT showed new localized ground-glass opacity (GGO) in the right upper lobe. After excluding possible etiologies, she was diagnosed with PR due to ATT. She was successfully managed with oral prednisolone while continuing ATT. The GGO diminished and did not recur after discontinuation of the steroids. We reviewed 28 reported cases of miliary tuberculosis with a PR in patients not infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Those not on immunosuppressive therapy were likely to develop a PR early. This case illustrates that a PR may present as localized GGO in miliary tuberculosis in the lung of patients treated with ATT. In cases of a PR with marked symptoms, steroid therapy may be valuable.