Colonic Tuberculosis Mimicking Crohn's Disease: A Case Report
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Abstract
Intestinal tuberculosis (TB) presents a diagnostic challenge since its symptoms, imaging, and pathological features frequently resemble those of Crohn's disease (CD) and colon cancer. In 2022, 10.6 million people worldwide contracted tuberculosis, with Southeast Asia and Africa being the most impacted. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, including abdominal TB, accounts for up to 20% of cases in immunocompetent persons and up to 50% in immunosuppressed patients. Abdominal tuberculosis usually affects the ileocecal region and is difficult to detect it since the symptoms overlap with those of other gastrointestinal disorders. We discuss the case of a 21-year-old male who was suspected to have inflammatory bowel disease with initial diagnostic workup that suggestive of CD. However, Ziehl-Neelsen staining on biopsy specimens confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis, resulting in a colonic TB diagnosis. This case underscores the importance of considering intestinal TB in chronic intestinal conditions, particularly in endemic regions.
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References
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