TB Research

Poncet's arthritis, a rare manifestation of tuberculosis: case report in an adolescent

Douglas Coelho, Igor Trindade, Maria da Graça Corso da Motta, João Lucas Pillar, Leonardo Campos, Kátia Lino, Claudete Aparecida Araújo Cardoso, Christiane Mello Schmidt

Residência Pediátrica · 2025-01

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) has been affecting humanity for years and remains a public health issue. In some cases, it poses a diagnostic challenge. The main etiological agent is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which can cause latent infection (LTBI), pulmonary disease, extrapulmonary disease, and clinical manifestations related to hypersensitivity, such as Poncets arthritis (PA). This report describes the case of a 14-year-old adolescent with arthritis in the hip, knee, ankle, and metatarsophalangeal joint (MTFJ) of the hallux, accompanied by fever, night sweats, weight loss, TB contact, and a positive tuberculin test (PT), with a final diagnosis of PA. PA was diagnosed based on Sharma and Pintos criteria. The importance of considering clinical history and TB as a differential diagnosis in articular manifestations in endemic regions is highlighted.

MeSH terms

  • Tuberculosis
  • Arthritis
  • Medicine
  • Dermatology
  • Pediatrics