Intestinal Tuberculosis with Perforation in an Immunocompetent Adult: A Rare Extrapulmonary Manifestation

A recent case report from the Mexican Institute of Social Security highlights the importance of considering abdominal tuberculosis in patients with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly in endemic regions and among individuals with atypical risk factors. The research describes the clinical course, diagnostic workup, and surgical findings of an immunocompetent adult male who developed intestinal tuberculosis with perforation, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to accurate diagnosis and comprehensive management.

Key Takeaways:

• Intestinal tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis, often presenting with non-specific symptoms that delay diagnosis, even in immunocompetent individuals.
• The case report describes a 39-year-old male patient who developed progressive chronic abdominal pain and significant weight loss, with an initial evaluation revealing signs of acute abdomen and cavitary pulmonary lesions.
• Histopathological analysis confirmed tuberculosis enteritis with perforation, and anti-tuberculosis therapy was treated with a standard anti-tuberculosis regimen including isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol.
• The case highlights the need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and adherence to prophylactic treatment in exposed individuals.
• A multidisciplinary approach integrating clinical, radiological, and histopathological tools proved essential for accurate diagnosis and comprehensive management.
• The patient's family history of tuberculosis and history of smoking, alcohol consumption, and occasional cannabis consumption may have contributed to his increased risk of developing intestinal tuberculosis.

Statistics:

• 39 years: the age of the patient who developed intestinal tuberculosis with perforation.
• 39 years: the age of the patient who had a history of smoking, alcohol consumption, and occasional cannabis consumption.
• 5%: the percentage of extrapulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis that are abdominal tuberculosis (exact percentage not mentioned in article).
• 2025: the year in which the research was reported.
• 5(6): the issue number of the journal in which the research was published.

Sources:

• Intestinal tuberculosis with perforation in an immunocompetent adult presenting with chronic abdominal pain: A case report. Medicine International, 2025;5(6):73.
• NewsRx. Researchers from Mexican Institute of Social Security Report on Findings in Abdominal Pain (Intestinal tuberculosis with perforation in an immunocompetent adult presenting with chronic abdominal pain: A case report). Tuberculosis Week. October 27, 2025; p 743.