Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

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Myasthenia Gravis Aggravated by Lower Lobe Tuberculosis-a Case Report


Affiliations
1 Department of Medicine, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad-09, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Medicine, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
     

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Myasthenia gravis (MG) is occasionally aggravated by chronic infection, of which there are many kinds. We report herein the case of a 75-year-old woman with MG aggravated by the Lower lobe Tuberculosis (LLT), diagnosed by flexible fiber optic bronchoscopy with broncho alveolar lavage (BAL). The possibility of LLT had been underdiagnosed in the differential diagnosis of aggravation of MG weakness, because LLT often misdiagnosed as other pneumonias even in endemic areas. This case suggests that chronic infections such as tuberculosis should be considered in myasthenic patients with exacerbation if definite evidence for aggravating factors of MG is not obtained.

Keywords

Myasthenia Gravis, Lower Lobe Tuberculosis
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  • Myasthenia Gravis Aggravated by Lower Lobe Tuberculosis-a Case Report

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Authors

K R Aithal
Department of Medicine, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad-09, Karnataka, India
A D Mahabalshetti
Department of Medicine, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
B S Patil
Department of Medicine, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
U G Rajoor
Department of Medicine, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

Abstract


Myasthenia gravis (MG) is occasionally aggravated by chronic infection, of which there are many kinds. We report herein the case of a 75-year-old woman with MG aggravated by the Lower lobe Tuberculosis (LLT), diagnosed by flexible fiber optic bronchoscopy with broncho alveolar lavage (BAL). The possibility of LLT had been underdiagnosed in the differential diagnosis of aggravation of MG weakness, because LLT often misdiagnosed as other pneumonias even in endemic areas. This case suggests that chronic infections such as tuberculosis should be considered in myasthenic patients with exacerbation if definite evidence for aggravating factors of MG is not obtained.

Keywords


Myasthenia Gravis, Lower Lobe Tuberculosis

References