Drug induced hepatitis in a patient with disseminated tuberculosis : a case report / Lea G. Galia.

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.

Abstract: Presented was a case of a male adolescent with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing treatment for 5 weeks with antituberculosis medications who suddenly developed jaundice and icteric sclerae. During the course of illness, patient presented with changes in sensorium and had highly elevated level of plasma ammonia causing encephalopathy. What could have caused the sudden onset of the above signs and symptoms? Could this be a case of viral hepatitis? Or a case of a drug induced hepatitis? Or a case of tuberculous meningitis? Further workup revealed the presence of granulomatous lesions to extrapulmonary sites specifically the liver and spleen thus gaining a presumptive diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease of global importance, with a rising incidence in the developed world in recent years. The diagnosis of non-pulmonary TB poses a particular challenge for clinicians because of the protean ways in which the disease presents. Lymphohematogeneous spread always presents as the major pathway of spread of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. The usual progression is for the disease to spread from the lungs to the extrapulmonary sites.

Research - Department of Child Health