The Lung puzzle - unraveling the enigma of recurrent respiratory infections
Medical history- A 56-year-old homemaker from Hyderabad presented with a complex medical history spanning over a decade. Her medical journey began in 2009 when she was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and treated with anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) for 6 months Initial Diagnosis and Treatment (2009) In 2009, the patient developed symptoms of daily cough with sputum, low-grade evening rise of temperature, and weight loss for 20 days. Her sputum tested positive for Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB), and a chest X-ray (CXR) showed features of pulmonary Koch's. She was diagnosed with pulmonary TB and started on ATT, which she took for 6 months. Following treatment, her sputum converted to negative, and she remained asymptomatic for the next 10 years. Relapse and Re-Treatment (2018) In 2018, at the age of 50, the patient experienced a relapse of symptoms, including cough, fever, and weight loss. Her sputum tested positive for AFB and Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNA...