title: Tuberculous disseminated lymphadenopathy in an immunocompetent non-HIV patient: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In cases of patients with disseminated lymphadenopathy, the differential diagnosis has to include both benign and malignant causes, including sarcoidosis, metastatic disease, lymphoma and, although rarely present, tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is still one of the most frequently occurring infectious diseases worldwide. However, disseminated mycobacterial lymphadenitis is rare in immunocompetent patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a 56-year-old Caucasian Greek male, who was immunocompetent and HIV negative, with a two-month history of recurring fever, loss of appetite and disseminated lymphadenopathy. The patient was diagnosed with mycobacterial lymphadenopathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case highlights the need for suspicion in order to identify mycobacterial infection in patients with generalized lymphadenopathy, since misdiagnosis is possible and may lead to fatal complications for the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa 41110, Greece.
authors.forename: Irini
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gerogianni
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papala
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kostikas
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ioannou
authors.forename: Argiroula-Vasiliki
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Karadonta
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gourgoulianis