Lymph Node Tuberculosis in Non-HIV Positive Young Male Patients: Retrospective Analysis of 33 Cases

AIM: To analysis retrospectively the clinical and demographic characteristics of a small group of patients with lymph node tuberculosis (TB) in Turkey, and review the current diagnostic and therapeutic measures. METHOD: Thirty-three patients (31 male, 2 female; mean age 24.9 ±5.4) diagnosed with lymph node TB between 2000 and 2003 were evaluated. RESULTS: No patient had history of alcohol or drug abuse. Cervical region was the most common involvement site (84.8%). Non-tender swelling was the initial symptom in most of the cases (93.9%). The diagnosis was based on the excisional lymph node biopsy on 93% of cases. No patient was HIV (+). Antituberculous treatment was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSION: This report suggests that TB remains an important etiologic factor for lymphadenitis in HIV negative patients. Lymph node TB responds to short term combined antituberculous treatment in most patients. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2010; 9(4): 271-276]