Tuberculosis in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

Am J Med. 1979 Oct;67(4):597-602. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(79)90240-7.

Abstract

Tuberculosis was diagnosed in eight patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and occurred with an incidence 10 times that of the general population. Dialysis-associated tuberculosis is characterized by intermittent fever, anorexia, weight loss and hepatomegaly. Ascites was present in 50 per cent of the patients. A recently converted positive tuberculin skin test was observed in five of eight patients. Tuberculosis was extrapulmonary in seven of eight cases and consequently the diagnosis was frequently delayed. Over-all mortality was 37.5 per cent and correlated with the duration of symptoms prior to initiation of therapy. A trial of antituberculous therapy is warranted in patients undergoing dialysis in whom fever of unknown origin, anorexia, weight loss and/or hepatomegaly develop particularly in areas endemic for tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New York City
  • Renal Dialysis*
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis / epidemiology*