Urine trouble: Genitourinary tuberculosis and subsequent DRESS syndrome

Michael Czapka, Shuchin Shukla, Magdalena Slosar-Cheah

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

A 40-year-old woman with HIV (CD4 270, viral load undetectable) from Zambia presented with fevers, urinary tract infection symptoms, sterile pyuria and haematuria. She was found to have genitourinary tuberculosis (TB) via mycobacterial culture of urine and ascites, and treated with rifabutin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. She later had multiple episodes of asymptomatic transaminitis, triggering changes to both TB and HIV regimens. The patient then presented with diffuse rash, fevers, transaminitis and eosinophilia concerning for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). After initial improvement on discontinuation of likely responsible medications and completion of corticosteroid therapy, the patient returned with acute liver failure. This new episode was felt to be severe organ dysfunction due to DRESS, and she was treated with a prolonged corticosteroid taper and changes to her TB regimen. She has since completed therapy for TB, has improving CD4 counts and is without evidence of liver dysfunction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberbcr-2017-220440
JournalBMJ case reports
Volume2017
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017

Keywords

  • HIV / AIDS
  • hepatitis other
  • immunology
  • tuberculosis
  • unwanted effects / adverse reactions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Urine trouble: Genitourinary tuberculosis and subsequent DRESS syndrome'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this