The Infectius Case. Lung Tuberculosis and Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetic patients are more susceptible to bacterial infections, incLuding pulmonary tuberculosis. It has been shown that diabetic patients have three to four fold higher risk of suffering tuberculosis compared to nondiabetic. Atypical radiologic images of pulmonary tuberculosis are common in diabetic patients. Also, their response to antituberculosis treannent is poor, for that reason the recornmendation is to prolong specific treannent by 9 months. A 59 years old man, consulted because of 3 weeks of weigth loss, fatigue/ malaise and frecuent episodes of dry cough. This patient has been a diabetic for the last 4 years. Xray lung flims and bronchoscopy showed bronquiectasis in the left lower lung compromised.M tuberculosis was isolated from bronchial brushing sample at the 5th week.The patient received the recornmended antituberculosis chemoterapy by 9 months and his lesions resolved.