Mycobacterium tuberculosis aortic graft infection with recurrent hemoptysis: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Mycobacterium tuberculosis may cause a large variety of clinical presentations due to its ability to disseminate by contiguity or hematogenously. Tuberculosis may remain undiagnosed for years due to the chronic course of the disease, with potentially life-threatening long-term complications.


METHODS
In this case report, we describe a tuberculous aortic graft infection in a 72-year-old man documented by polymerase chain reaction and cultures. The patient presented with three episodes of hemoptysis following a remote history of miliary tuberculosis. The infection was treated by graft replacement and prolonged antimycobacterial therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Tuberculous infection of a vascular graft is an uncommon complication, but should be considered in patients with an intravascular device and a history of previous tuberculosis, especially when hematogenous spread may have occurred a few months after surgery, or when an active mycobacterial infection is present in close proximity to the graft.
Clerc
Olivier
O
Infectious Diseases Service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Switzerland. olivier.clerc@chuv.ch
Jaton
Katia
K
Prod'hom
Guy
G
Von Segesser
Ludwig
L
Greloz
Vincent
V
Greub
Gilbert
G