Tuberculosiss arthritis: A case report

Abstract

Tuberculosis Arthritis of the knee joint is rare. A 25-year old female patient presented with pain and swelling of her left knee. The symptoms first appeared two months earlier; she was given glucocorticoid after diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The patient did not improve with the treatment. The patient was diagnosed with tuberculosis arthritis according to biopsy and PCR TB result. Biopsy excision of the left knee found granulomatous appearance, which is consistent with tuberculosis, PCR TB examination also found a positive effect. Antituberculosis treatment was started and will be continued for nine months. Tuberculosis arthritis frequently mimics more common etiologies and can be difficult to diagnose. Tuberculosis arthritis may be suspected in a chronic case of joint pain, usually monoarticular, although pulmonary TB may absent.