Kp. Hunfeld et al., 2 CASES OF CHRONIC ARTHRITIS OF THE FOREARM DUE TO MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS, European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases, 17(5), 1998, pp. 344-348
In the absence of coexisting active pulmonary disease, tuberculosis is
frequently not considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic in
flammation of the joints. The cases of two immigrant patients with tub
erculous arthritis involving the forearm are reported. In both cases n
on-specific arthritis or trauma was suspected, resulting in a delay be
tween the onset of symptoms and institution of specific therapy of 21
and 24 months, respectively. Diagnosis was achieved by histological an
d microbiological examination of synovial biopsy material. Polymerase
chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was positive in
only one patient. Treatment consisted of antituberculosis chemotherapy
, surgical synovectomy, and debridement of the affected joints. These
cases serve as a reminder that, although rare, tuberculosis can cause
chronic arthritis.