[Esophageal tuberculosis. report of one case with AIDS]

Abstract

Tuberculosis rates in Chile are higher than expected during the last years. This is directly related to the increase of immunodeficiency associated to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is the sixth in frequency of extra pulmonary localizations. We report an HIV(+) 55 year-old male, that presented with fever and epigastric pain. In an upper GI endoscopy small elevated lesions were described in the esophagus. Pathological study was suggestive of tuberculous infection. The definitive diagnosis of esophageal tuberculosis was obtained by a PCR test of the biopsy sample. Antituberculous therapy was started and one year later there was a regression but not disappearance of esophageal lesions and granulomas in the pathological study.