Pregnancy in a patient with endometrial tuberculosis by in vitro fertilization: a case report

J Int Med Res. 2020 Nov;48(11):300060520967824. doi: 10.1177/0300060520967824.

Abstract

Female genital tuberculosis is an important cause of infertility in developing countries where tuberculosis is endemic. However, the true incidence of genital tuberculosis is unknown because symptoms and signs are usually minimal, making its detection difficult. We herein report a case of subfertility due to endometrial tuberculosis. The patient had primary infertility and planned to utilize assisted reproductive technology because of bilateral fallopian tube obstruction. She underwent hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. The biopsy revealed epithelioid cells and multinuclear giant cells in the interstitium, and tuberculosis of the endometrium could not be excluded. Chest computed tomography showed secondary pulmonary tuberculosis in the upper left lung. A tuberculin test was positive, and a sputum culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative. The clinical diagnosis was secondary pulmonary tuberculosis. Considering the above findings in combination with the endometrial biopsy results, we concluded that the patient had endometrial tuberculosis. She underwent antituberculosis treatment for 6 months, after which the endometrial tuberculosis resolved and she achieved pregnancy by in vitro fertilization.

Keywords: Infertility; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; antituberculosis treatment; endometrial biopsy; endometrial tuberculosis; in vitro fertilization.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Endometrium / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female*
  • Pregnancy
  • Tuberculosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Female Genital* / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Female Genital* / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Female Genital* / drug therapy