Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, epidemiology and patterns in Saudi Arabia
Alrajhi, A.A.; Al-Barrak, A.M.
Saudi Medical Journal 23(5): 503-508
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-5284 PMID: 12070568 Document Number: 544090
Annual incidence rates of extrapulmonary tuberculosis have been increasing over the last few years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. True rates may even be higher due to incomplete reporting. Diagnosis of this condition requires high clinical suspicion, special diagnostic procedures, special staining, and culture media for acid fast bacilli. Delayed diagnosis results in increasing morbidity, mortality, and cost to the health care system. Particularly in areas of high endemicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, clinicians should be aware of the various forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The available epidemiology and patterns of various forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are presented in this review.