MYELOFIBROSIS ASSOCIATED WITH TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

Abstract Myelofibrosis (fibrotic bone marrow and, usually, an increase in megakaryocytes) is characterized by generalized pains, weakness, loss of weight, enlargement of the liver and spleen and a leuko-erythroblastic anemia. Four cases of myelofibrosis associated with generalized tuberculosis have been reviewed in detail. Autopsy examination of the 4 cases revealed acute, caseating tuberculosis which was considered to be responsible for the bone marrow and generalized fibrosis observed. A similar type of tuberculosis occurred in 7 of 91 cases of myelofibrosis reveiwed in the literature. The pathogenesis of myelofibrosis associated with tuberculosis is discussed. In the diagnosis of this syndrome, attention is called to the importance of obtaining a bone marrow biopsy and making a complete bacteriologic and pathologic study of this tissue for tuberculosis. The 4 tuberculous cases here reported as compared with 5 cases of idiopathic type, are younger, have hyperpyrexia, less splenic but greater lymph node enlargement and run a shorter course before death.