Tuberculosis causing ARDS in pregnancy: A rare experience

SummaryTuberculosis is an uncommon but definite cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The sudden onset of ARDS masks the typical chest X-ray findings of tuberculosis. Results of standard examinations for tuberculosis may be inconsistent justifying an aggressive diagnostic approach including extrapulmonary biopsies. The extremely rapid course of the disease emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion and timely initiation of the anti-tubercular therapy. We report a case of disseminated tuberculosis complicated by ARDS in pregnancy who was treated empirically on suspicion and was diagnosed on bone marrow aspiration along with review of literature.