Colonic Tuberculosis in A Young Woman with Down’s syndrome

Zaouga S, Jemn i I, Baklouti R, Hichem Loghmari M, Ben Chaabane N and Safer L

Published on: 2023-10-20

Abstract

Aim: Patients with Down syndrome are immunodeficient due to their impaired immune response. Colonic tuberculosis is rare. It accounts for 2–3% of abdominal tuberculosis. It is known as the great mimicker and usually delayed due to its nonspecific clinical presentation.

Case Report: We report the case of a 22-year-old woman with Down’s Syndrome. She presented with a three-week-long history of diarrhea, diffuse abdominal pain and loss of nearly 10% of her body weight. The colonoscopy revealed a segmental ulcerative colitis and a stenosis of the right colonic flexure. The histology did not show signs in favor of tuberculosis. Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Polymerase chain reaction of biopsy specimen was positive. A diagnosis of colonic tuberculosis was concluded and the patient is treated with anti-tuberculosis drug regimens

Conclusion: The manifestation of colonic tuberculosis is nonspecific, presenting a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms. It should always be considered in the presence of digestive symptoms, especially in immunocompromised patients.