Co-existence of pulmonary tuberculosis with sarcoidosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) and sarcoidosis are multisystem, chronic granulomatous diseases. Although characterized by similar clinical manifestations, these disease entities vary significantly in etiologies and management. Sarcoidosis is an immunological disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas in the tissues involved. TB is the infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, characterized by granulomas with caseous necrosis. It is rare to have both the diseases concomitantly. We present the case of a 38-year-old male with microbiological confirmation of coexistent pulmonary TB and sarcoidosis.

Keywords

• bronchoalveolar lavage
• fiberoptic bronchoscopy
• noncontrast computed tomography chest
• sarcoidosis
• tuberculosis