ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine metabolic disease. Uncontrolled diabetes affects almost all components of immunity. Diabetes mellitus patients have an increased susceptibility to infections which aggravates in the cases of uncontrolled hyperglycemia. Case presentation: The authors present the case of a 63-year-old female patient with a history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. She went to the ambulance complaining of fever, poor appetite, dyspnea, cough, fatigue, and asthenia. The chest computed tomography showed the presence of bilateral ovoid infiltration densities, mostly on the upper-right side. The initial diagnosis was community-acquired pneumonia in an immunocompromised host due to poorly controlled diabetes. A swelling was observed in the right cheek and around the right eye, along with ptosis of the right eyelid. The ophthalmologist indicated the presence of panophthalmitis of the entire right eye with optic neuritis and right orbital cellulitis. The bacterial culture of bronchoalveolar lavage showed Gram-negative bacteria known as Klebsiella. After 17 days of hospitalization, the patient was discharged from the hospital on treatment with oral fluconazole, oral ciprofloxacin, and intramuscular gentamicin. Conclusion: In conclusion, the case highlights the importance of early detection of systematic infection manifestations in diabetic patients, regarding their age, history, and other comorbidities. Ocular symptoms are highly recommended to be evaluated in this context of Klebsiella infection.
ABSTRACT
Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and tuberculosis (TB) are among the most important causes of respiratory infections around the world. Both of them are sources of concern for human health and life safety. COVID-19 caused the deaths of millions of people, and many of them suffered from what has become known as 'post-COVID squeal'. Immunosuppression is one of the most important of these symptoms that leave patients susceptible to severe infections like TB. Case Presentation: In these two cases, the authors observed the development of active TB after a period of COVID recovery. Two patients who were admitted to the hospital complained mainly, among other symptoms, of fever and a continuous cough after a period of COVID-19 recovery. Clinical Discussion: Radiological examination revealed a caving density in the two cases, and the Gene-Xpert test proved the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria despite the negative result of the Ziehl-Neelsen stain. The two patients were improved after standard TB treatment. Conclusion: Patients with post-COVID-19 chronic respiratory symptoms should be screened for TB, especially in TB-endemic areas, even though the result of the Ziehl-Neelsen stain was negative.
