DIABETIC FOOT ULCER WITH TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION

Abstract

CASE
Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most common diabetes complications that increases morbidity, mortality and treatment costs while reducing the quality of life as well. We describe a case of a non-healing foot ulcer caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a 52-year-old Indonesian male with known diabetes where the diagnosis was not suspected initially. Despite the administration of culture-guided antibiotics, the wound did not improve and always appeared wet. The patient eventually received anti-tuberculosis drugs, causing a dramatic improvement in the wound. Diabetes mellitus is indeed a disease that can alter the host’s immunity and lead to increased susceptibility to several diseases, including tuberculosis. In TB-endemic countries, tuberculosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in DFUs that do not improve despite culture-guided antibiotic treatment.