Severe esophagitis induced by antituberculosis drugs: a case report

Abstract

Tuberculosis stands as one of humanity's oldest afflictions, intrinsically intertwined with social disparities. This formidable disease spares no age group and remains the prevailing cause of infection-induced mortality worldwide, particularly in developing nations. We present a case of a 56-year-old woman with diabetes who was diagnosed with Pulmonary Tuberculosis. After receiving antituberculosis drugs as part of her treatment, she experienced a range of systemic manifestations and suffered from severe ulcerative esophagitis. This adverse reaction led to uncontrollable gastrointestinal intolerance, tragically resulting in her untimely demise. The incident underscores the potential seriousness of adverse reactions that can arise from tuberculosis treatment medications.

Figure 1. Ulcerative lesions in the patient’s oral cavity, on hospital admission.

Figure 2. Digestive endoscopy: A) Esophagus with confluent elevated white plaques adhered to the wall, along with hyperemia and friable membranes; B) evidence of severe, circumferential, fibrin-covered, ulcerative esophagitis bleeding with signs of mucositis.