title: Hypercalcaemia caused by active pulmonary tuberculosis in an elderly person without fever or pulmonary symptoms.
abstract: Many diseases can cause hypercalcaemia, including primary hyperparathyroidism, cancer, drugs and granulomatous diseases. A nursing home resident aged 81 years was admitted because of altered mental status. The patient did not have fever, cough, sputum or night sweat. Hypercalcaemia was identified as a cause of the consciousness disturbance. Chest radiograph showed no acute process. Laboratory workups revealed elevated serum levels of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3and positive T-spot test. Microscopic examination of the suctioned sputum identified acid-fast bacilli, which was confirmed asMycobactrium tuberculsosisTuberculosis should be considered as the important cause of hypercalcaemia since early diagnosis and treatment is recommended for preventing its outbreak among people with close contacts with patients.
authors.affiliation: Nakagami Byoin, Okinawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hanai
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Nakagami General Hospital, Okinawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shinzato
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Nakagami General Hospital, Okinawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Daiki
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Inazu
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine, Tsukuba University, Mito, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tokuda
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058345:Asymptomatic Infections; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents