An Unusual Presentaton of Tuberculosis with Septic Shock and Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in an Immunocompetent Patient

Tuberculosis presenting as septic shock is a rare entity especially in an immunocompetent patient. It has been reported in only 1% of patients with septic shock. Tuberculosis associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is the paradoxical worsening of the current condition or the development of new lesions in patients who are on anti-tuberculosis treatment. In non-HIV patients with tuberculosis, the incidence of IRIS is only about 2.4%. We report a 29 year old immunocompetant female who presented with septic shock and on continued evaluation she tested positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis by Genexpert (sensitive to rifampicin) done in BAL fluid. All possible causes for immunodeficiency were ruled out. She was started on Anti-Tuberculosis therapy (ATT) and a month later, patient deteriorated clinically with high spiking temperatures and troublesome constitutional symptoms. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen and chest revealed new onset multiple enlarged necrotic mediastinal, para aortic and hilar lymph nodes. After extensive evaluation including autoimmune profile, fungal culture, viral serology, Positron emission tomography (PET) scan, bone marrow analysis and ruling out all other possible causes for fever, IRIS was suspected and patient was started on steroids along with ATT. There was a drastic improvement in her symptoms within a week. She completed her course of ATT and steroids were gradually tapered. At 2 years of follow up, the patient is doing well.