TB Research

Opportunistic Co-infections in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Nuno Oliveira, Vania Junqueira, Rosa Amorim

Cureus · 2025-12

Abstract

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a pathology caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Koch’s bacillus. Some patients with tuberculosis present co-infection with Streptococcus genus bacteria. Nevertheless, this co-infection is very rare, mainly in HIV patients. Here, we report the case of a 38-year-old male patient, previously healthy, who presented with subacute cough and fever, in whom two uncommon Streptococcus species were identified. Because symptoms persisted despite directed antibiotic therapy, bronchofibroscopy was performed, and M. tuberculosis was identified in the lavage. After diagnosis, the patient was referred to the Center for Pneumological Diseases for continued treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Medicine
  • Pulmonary tuberculosis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Antibiotics
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • Internal medicine
  • Dermatology
  • Respiratory disease
  • Pathology
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections