Pulmonary embolism and tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis has a high prevalence in Tunisia, but pulmonary embolism is rarely reported in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. We describe 3 cases of pulmonary embolism associated with severe pulmonary tuberculosis. Pulmonary embolism occurred within 2 to 13 days of pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis. Clinical, bacteriological, and radiological evolutions were noted within 6 months for pulmonary tuberculosis, but controlling the international normalized ratio was difficult in 2 cases, and low-molecular-weight heparin was prescribed for 6 months in one case. The association between tuberculosis and pulmonary embolism is rare, but it should be systematically investigated, particularly in those with severe pulmonary or disseminated tuberculosis.