Miliary Tuberculosis and Infective Endocarditis

Abstract

Background: Miliary Tuberculosis (MTB) is a potentially lethal disease if not diagnosed and treated early. Miliary tuberculosis infection in childhood remains a signifi cant health problem in developing countries. Clinical manifestations are non-specifi c and therefore the condition may bemuse even the most experienced clinicians. Infective Endocarditis (IE) remains a lethal valvular heart disease and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and oral streptococci are common causative organisms. Both conditions can be fatal independently but can present in the same patient. Since fever is a common symptom in both, one infection may mask the other. Tuberculous Endocarditis (TBE) is another rare entity with few documented cases and often presents with a miliary tuberculosis picture, especially in endemic countries.