Clinical convergence: An exceptional case of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis with multiple organic manifestations. Case report

Abstract

Introduction

The diagnosis of sarcoidosis is challenging, especially if the patient has concomitant infectious symptoms. Furthermore, the overlap of immune-mediated and infectious pathologies is not uncommon.

Objective

To report a rare case of association between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis

Materials and methods

Description of the clinical characteristics of a patient who presented with sarcoidosis superimposed on tuberculosis.

Results

The case of a 29-year-old man with ocular, cutaneous, and systemic symptoms is described. Uveitis and chronic non-caseating granulomatous findings were diagnosed in the skin, lungs, and lymph nodes. Suspicion of tuberculosis led to positive molecular biology tests only in the lymph node biopsy. An overlap of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis was determined, and combined treatment with glucocorticoids and anti-tuberculosis agents was initiated, resulting in improvement of the patient.

Conclusions

Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis share characteristics from their aetiology to clinical manifestations, posing a challenge in clinical differentiation. Cases have been documented where both diseases overlap in the same patient.