Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its most frequent location is the lung. In order of frequency, extrapulmonary TB can affect the lymph nodes, the genitourinary tract, the osteoarticular system, the meninges, and the digestive tract. Digestive involvement can present at any segment of the gastrointestinal tract, and most frequently affects the ileocecal region.1–3
The clinical and endoscopic presentations of intestinal TB can be similar to those of other diseases, such as neoplasias and Crohn's disease (CD). Therefore, a high level of suspicion is required, as well as the performance of microbiologic studies, to opportunely confirm the diagnosis. The differential diagnosis with CD can be difficult, especially in areas of endemic infection and in immunosuppressed patients, but it is important to make it, given that in the case of an erroneous diagnosis of CD, beginning immunosuppressant treatment could exacerbate the TB.1–4
In Latin America, the incidence of TB in 2015 was 22 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In Mexico, the figures were 17 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, signifying that the disease continues to be a public health problem. In Chile, the reported incidence of TB in 2014 was 12.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and 21.3% of the new cases were extrapulmonary TB. Coinfection due to HIV is one of the main risk factors for the development of the disease.5,6
The clinical manifestation of TB depends on the intestinal segment involved and abdominal pain is described in 85% of the patients, weight loss in 66%, fever in 35–50%, and diarrhea in 20% of the cases. Cases with clinical pictures of bowel obstruction and massive gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to TB are reported in the literature.2,3,7
TB affecting the rectum is rare, even in areas of high prevalence of the disease, such as Asia and Africa. Its clinical presentation can be rectal bleeding or diarrhea. Endoscopic study usually reveals a concentric stricture, suggesting the differential diagnosis with neoplasia and requiring endoscopic biopsy. Surgical resection for making the diagnosis has been reported in some cases.1–4,8
The techniques for identifying the presence of M. tuberculosis in tissue biopsies include the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) acid-alcohol resistant stain, which has low sensitivity and specificity; tissue culture, which requires 3 to 8 weeks to develop and identify the mycobacterium; and the real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques. Molecular diagnosis through RT-PCR enables the detection of M. tuberculosis complex DNA in tissue from endoscopic biopsy, resulting in a rapid diagnosis with good sensitivity (70%) and high specificity (90–95%).2,9,10
We present herein the case of a 55-year-old man, with no pathologic history, that presented with symptoms of 7-month progression, characterized by episodes of rectal bleeding, as well as fatigue, anorexia, unquantified weight loss, and a sensation of fever. Laboratory tests showed normal hemoglobin, low C-reactive protein, and albumin concentration of 4.2g/dl. Colonoscopy with ileoscopy revealed a depressed lesion in the rectum. The conclusion of the histopathologic study of the rectal lesion was active, erosive, chronic rectitis, with a granulomatous process, and negative ZN stain. CD was suggested and therapy with 5-aminosalycylates was begun. The patient's symptoms described above persisted and he sought medical attention at our hospital center. A chest, abdominal, and pelvic CAT scan was ordered that revealed a diffuse, bilateral, pulmonary nodular pattern, concentric parietal thickening of the rectum with perirectal adenopathies, nodular thickening of the major omentum, mild ascites, and numerous abdominopelvic adenopathies that suggested the diagnosis of granulomatous disease. A possible neoplastic origin could not be ruled out. A new colonoscopy was performed that showed lesion-free mucosa of the ileum and colon. Several 5–6mm fibrin-covered ulcers, as well as a large ulcerated lesion with irregular edges and a center with fibrinoid exudate, were seen in the rectum (Fig. 1).
The tissue sample was sent for PCR study for M. tuberculosis and the result was positive. The histopathologic study revealed a diffuse, accentuated infiltrate composed of histiocytes, lymphocytes, and scant neutrophils with cryptic abscesses; glands with reduced mucus secretion and reactive atypia with no neoplasia; and the ZN stain showed the presence of acid-alcohol resistant bacilli in the rectum (Fig. 2). The diagnosis was rectal tuberculosis. HIV testing was ordered, and the result was positive. Anti-tuberculosis and antiretroviral therapies were begun, and the patient had clinical improvement.
Our case was that of a patient with a nonspecific clinical picture, who after endoscopic and microbiologic study, was diagnosed with a rectal lesion secondary to TB. There are few reports in the literature on rectal TB, and given that the disease can simulate other pathologies, it is important to consider it within the differential diagnosis, especially in immunosuppressed patients and in countries with a higher incidence of the disease. The suitability of PCR techniques for the detection of M. tuberculosis makes it a useful diagnostic tool, given the low sensitivity of the ZN stain in the histopathologic study. In the case of our patient, both studies demonstrated the presence of M. tuberculosis, enabling confirmation of the diagnosis and commencement of adequate treatment. In patients clinically suspected of presenting with TB or with suggestive endoscopic lesions, a possible recommendation is the performance of a PCR study for M. tuberculosis in intestinal tissue because it favors rapid diagnosis and has a high diagnostic yield.
Ethical considerationsThe study was approved by the scientific ethics committee of the Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile and the patient gave his written statement of informed consent. The authors declare that the present article contains no personal information that would enable patient identification.
Financial disclosureNo financial support was received in relation to this article.
Conflict of interestThe authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Please cite this article as: Gompertz M, Carreño L, Gil La Rotta LC. Tuberculosis rectal: presentación clínica infrecuente y diagnóstico diferencial con enfermedad de Crohn. Rev Gastroenterol Méx. 2019;84:524–526.