Peripartum tuberculosis as a form of immunorestitution disease

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2003 May;22(5):313-7. doi: 10.1007/s10096-003-0927-1. Epub 2003 May 13.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical spectrum of peripartum tuberculosis from the perspective of immunorestitution disease. Of 29 patients with peripartum tuberculosis, 27 (93.1%) had extrapulmonary tuberculosis, 20 (69%) of whom were affected in the central nervous system. Twenty-two (75.9%) patients had no clinical features suggestive of tuberculosis during pregnancy. The median time from delivery to the onset of immunorestitution was 4 days, but treatment with anti-tuberculous therapy was delayed for a median time of 27 days after the onset of symptoms. Despite therapy, 11 (38%) patients died and 4 (13.8%) had residual functional deficits. Peripartum tuberculosis is an important differential diagnosis of postpartum fever (of unknown origin) without localized signs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fetal Death
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Postpartum Period
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tuberculin Test
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents