A Complex Interplay: Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Co-infection Complicated by Pulmonary Embolism—A Case Report

Abstract

Co-infections of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and Mycobacterium leprae (ML) are exceedingly rare but can pose a diagnostic and management challenge. These co-infections can also be complicated by conditions like pulmonary embolism (PE). Although possessing distinct existence, Tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy share historical and epidemiological connections and often coexist in regions with high endemicity. Tuberculosis is primarily found to target the lungs, followed by other organs, and leprosy predominantly targets the skin and peripheral nerves, with potential systemic involvement. Despite advancements in healthcare, leprosy remains a concern in several regions globally, especially in areas where poverty, overcrowding, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure prevail. The clinical picture of both these infections overlaps, and both of them share a feature of drug resistance necessitating individualized therapeutic approaches.