title: Primary tuberculosis of the uterine cervix: keep it in mind.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary tuberculosis of the cervix is extremely rare, with only 20 cases reported in the English literature since 1949. Here we report the 21st case--an Italian woman with no risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 50-year-old Italian nulliparous woman was referred to our gynecology unit for vaginal discharge. Her past history was negative. Colposcopy revealed an ulcerated lesion raising the suspicion of cervical cancer. A biopsy revealed a tuberculosis granuloma, and acid-fast bacillus was identified with Ziehl-Neelsen stain. As no other site of tuberculosis was found, primary cervical tuberculosis was diagnosed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although rare in industrialized countries, cervical tuberculosis may affect even women without risk factors. It should thus be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of cervical cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova di Reggio Emilia - IRCCS, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo Dario
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Mandato
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sacchetti
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Costagliola
authors.forename: Giovanni Battista
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: La Sala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003127:Colposcopy; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008853:Microscopy; D014384:Tuberculosis, Female Genital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*