Characteristics of miliary tuberculosis in pregnant women after in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer

Objective To analyse the clinical characteristics of miliary tuberculosis (TB) in pregnant women after in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Methods Six pregnant women with miliary TB after IVF-ET between October 2010 and July 2015 were retrospectively analysed. Results The patients were aged between 29 and 39 years. Fever, cough and dyspnoea were the main symptoms, and started during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were increased. White blood cell count was normal or slightly increased. Tuberculin purified protein derivative and acid-fast smear of sputum tests were negative. T-SPOT ® . TB was performed in two cases and the results were positive. Chest computed tomography showed typical miliary nodules. One patient had tuberculous meningitis. Although all patients were cured, the foetuses died. Conclusions The principal symptoms of miliary TB in pregnant women after IVF-ET were fever and dyspnoea. Physicians should consider the occurrence of miliary TB, particularly in the case of fever of long duration, respiratory symptoms and no response to antibiotic treatment.