Thromboembolism in Tuberculosis: A Neglected Comorbidity

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide. India is 17th among 22 highburden countries. In 2011, out of the estimated global annual incidence of 9 million tuberculosis cases, 2.3 million were estimated to have occurred in India. Despite persistent and committed efforts, it continues to be a major health problem in India. TB can involve almost every organ of the human body. The most common presentation is pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Vascular complications associated with infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been reported in 1.5%-3.4% of TB cases. Venous thromboembolism is considered rare in TB.