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Case report
When to consider tuberculosis: bronchiectasis in the elderly population
  1. Caitlin Rose Morgan,
  2. Georgina K Russell and
  3. Onn Min Kon
  1. Respiratory Medicine, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Caitlin Rose Morgan; caitlin.morgan{at}doctors.org.uk

Abstract

In England patients aged 65 years and over experience a delay of more than 4 months between onset of symptoms and diagnosis of pulmonary TB. This report examines three cases of patients experiencing significant delays in both diagnosis and treatment. Each case had a background of bronchiectasis. Symptoms were initially believed to be secondary to their pre-existing lung disease. Immunosenescence, atypical presentation and pre-existing lung disease mean there is often a significant delay in diagnosis in this population at both a primary care and specialist level.

  • tuberculosis
  • TB and other respiratory infections
  • global health
  • long term care

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2020-239735

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors CRM compiled the case reports and discussion with GKR and OMK, advising on direction of the discussion, overall review and the identification cases for the report. All three named authors contributed to the response following initial review of the case report.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.