The Immunopathogenesis of Tuberculous Pericarditis

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2020Source: Microbes and InfectionAuthor(s): Patrick Howlett, Elsa Du Bruyn, Hazel Morrison, Isiguzo C. Godsent, Katalin A. Wilkinson, Mpiko Ntsekhe, Robert J. WilkinsonAbstractTuberculous pericarditis is a severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and is the commonest cause of pericardial effusion in high incidence settings. Mortality ranges between 8-34%, and it is the leading cause of pericardial constriction in Africa and Asia. Current understanding of the disease is based on models derived from studies performed in the 1940-50s. This review summarises recent advances in the histology, microbiology and immunology of tuberculous pericarditis, with special focus on the effect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the determinants of constriction.
Source: Microbes and Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research