The ever-expanding association between rheumatologic diseases and tuberculosis

Am J Med. 2006 Jun;119(6):470-7. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.10.063.

Abstract

We summarized most of the rheumatologic manifestations of tuberculosis (TB) and the occurrence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis disease associated with rheumatologic diseases. We established 4 different categories: (1) direct musculoskeletal involvement of M. tuberculosis, including spondylitis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and tenosynovitis; (2) M. tuberculosis as an infectious pathogen in rheumatologic diseases, particularly with the use of newer agents such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors; (3) antimycobacterial drug-induced rheumatologic syndromes, including tendinopathy, drug-induced lupus, and others; and (4) reactive immunologic phenomena caused by TB, such as reactive arthritis, erythema nodosum, and others. In addition, Bacille-Calmette-Guérin vaccination used for the prevention of TB or as a chemotherapeutic agent for bladder carcinoma also may be associated with musculoskeletal adverse events. We conclude that M. tuberculosis can directly or indirectly affect the musculoskeletal system.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antitubercular Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology
  • BCG Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • BCG Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Erythema Nodosum / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Lupus Vulgaris / chemically induced
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology
  • Rheumatic Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Rheumatic Diseases / immunology
  • Rheumatic Diseases / microbiology*
  • Spondylitis / microbiology
  • Tenosynovitis / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis / complications*
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis / immunology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / complications

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • BCG Vaccine