Disseminated Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in Association with Heroin Addiction

Abstract

Twenty-one cases of disseminated extrapulmonary tuberculosis occurring in heroin addicts are tabulated and three are discussed in detail. The most frequent sites of involvement were the ribs and spine followed by the femur, clavicle, skull, and pelvis. While disseminated extrapulmonary tuberculosis also occurred in the nonaddict population, the marked increase in incidence in the addict population suggests the possibility of an alteration in the immune mechanism related to the use of heroin.