Doctors at Apollo Spectra Hospital give new lease of life to 37-year-old man suffering from Rare Intestinal Tuberculosis

Prolonged cough and frequent fatigue are symptoms of tuberculosis. However, a longer duration of fever can also be a sign of tuberculosis. Due to the availability of treatment for tuberculosis, this disease is often neglected.

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There are many misconceptions people have about tuberculosis. TB not only occurs in the lungs but even in the intestines. A 37-year-old patient suffering from intestinal tuberculosis has been successfully treated at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Pune.

Anil Gupte (Name Changed)* from Mumbai, was suffering from severe fever for the past ten days. Even after medication, the fever did not subside. He was advised to test by the local doctor for malaria, Typhoid, and Dengue. However, these medical tests turned out to be negative. The patient was tested for autoimmune disease and abdominal sonography was done and the reports were normal.

Colonoscopy and endoscopy were then performed, which revealed large and small bowel ulcers. Normally ulcers in both small and large bowel are seen in a disease called chrons disease a type of Inflammatory bowel disease. Hence, a biopsy was done which did not shows signs of Chron's disease. Later, the patient was tested for tuberculosis and tested positive for the same. In medical terms, this condition is called intestinal TB.

Dr Samrat Shah, Internal Medicine Expert, Apollo Spectra Pune, said, ‘‘Patient had a fever of 103 degrees. Even after medication, the fever did not subside. A colonoscopy and biopsy revealed the presence of an ulcer in the patient's intestines called as intestinal tuberculosis. In such a situation, immediate treatment is necessary. Accordingly, the patient was started on medication. Now the patient is doing well and the fever has subsided.’’

Dr Shah added, ‘‘TB can occur in any part of the large intestine. But, ulcers do not occur in the small intestine. However, in the case of this patient, 75% of the ulcers were found to be in the small intestine and they become inflamed. This disease can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time. There are three types of intestinal tuberculosis. In ulcerative tuberculosis, there is an ulcer of the intestines.

This problem is found in 60 per cent of patients. In hypertrophic tuberculosis, the intestines become thick and hard. This problem is observed in 10 per cent of patients. Whereas in ulcerative hypertrophy both ulcers and obstruction develop in the intestines. 30% of such patients are found. Ulcerative intestinal tuberculosis is usually secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, fever, weakness, weight loss, and abdominal cramps. If such a condition is found, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately.’’

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