Primary breast tuberculosis in an HIV-infected patient

Abstract

The presentation of tuberculosis can be nonspecific and atypical in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection, especially in the extrapulmonary forms. The incidence of breast tuberculosis is very low. We report a case of primary breast tuberculosis: a 26-year-old woman with a 5-month history of a left-sided breast lump associated with pain. Biopsy of the breast lump for histological examination suggested granulomatous inflammation, secretions tested with GeneXpert for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were positive, and no evidence of tuberculosis was found in other organs. She was treated with incision, drainage, dressing, and 6 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment; her prognosis was good.