[Death of an older patient after reactivation of latent tuberculosis].

Abstract

Latent tuberculosis has a high prevalence rate among older patients. Latent tuberculosis could be reactivated when patients are treated with immunosuppression. Therefore it is crucial to create awareness of the high prevalence of tuberculosis in the older patient. A thorough assessment of the risk of infection before starting immune modulating treatments contributes to timely recognition and treatment Our patient had an unknown history of latent tuberculosis. He was admitted to the geriatric department because of his deteriorating condition after the start of different immunosuppressing drugs for his arthritis. He developed cavitating pulmonary lesions. The PCR detected Mycobaterium tuberculosis.