MILIARY TUBERCULOSIS AND ADULT-RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS-SYNDROME IN AN INFANT

We report on a 7 months old infant, who was admitted to our hospital w ith the tentative diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia. The infant was treated with erythromycin because of a positive mycoplasma antigen tes t in the nasopharyngical mucus and the radiological findings. A tensio n pneumothorax led to rapid respiratory deterioration and a severe ARD S developed. A sustained respiratory stabilization could not be achiev ed. The diagnosis miliary tuberculosis was detected on autopsy. A pare nchymal focus was found subpleuraly in the left lung with a massive he matogenous spread and a tuberculous meningitis. The source of infectio n could not be identified in the family or in persons known to have ha d contact to the infant. The tuberculin skin test (PPD) was negative. Clinical, radiological and pathological findings are demonstrated.