Primary tuberculosis in the gluteal muscle of a patient with chronic renal failure. A rare presentation

Abstract

Patients suffering from chronic renal failure (CRF) are at increased risk for contracting tuberculosis (TB) due to their impaired immunity. In this patient group, extrapulmonary involvement is more common than the pulmonary form of TB, and symptoms tend to be milder and less distinctive than those seen in the general population. Pyomyositis secondary to TB is relatively rare. We report a case of TB pyomyositis in the setting of CRF. The nonspecific symptoms that are typical of CRF patients with TB make it particularly difficult to establish the diagnosis in this patient group. In order to avoid diagnostic delays, which may increase the risk of complications and mortality, TB should be kept in mind in any case of ongoing fever and infection that does not respond to seemingly appropriate therapy. In addition, TB should always be suspected in endemic areas, even in the absence of osseous involvement.