In an extraordinary turn of events, Dr. Samrat Shah and his team at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Pune treated a 37-year-old patient, Anil Gupte (name changed for privacy), diagnosed with a rare form of intestinal tuberculosis. The patient had come to the hospital with a severe fever persisting for over ten days, with no signs of remission despite ongoing medication.
The initial tests, including those for malaria, typhoid, and dengue, did not reveal the underlying cause of the fever. As a last resort, a colonoscopy and endoscopy were performed, which revealed ulcers in both the large and small bowel. Even though these symptoms are typically associated with Crohn’s disease, a subsequent biopsy refuted this suspicion.
The relentless efforts of the medical team, led by Dr. Shah, finally bore fruit when the patient tested positive for intestinal tuberculosis. This rare form of tuberculosis typically affects the large intestine, but in a rare turn, 75% of the ulcers were found in the small intestine. With immediate and appropriate treatment, the patient’s condition improved significantly, and he is now on the path to recovery.
This case sheds light on the importance of thorough investigation and the role of expert medical intervention in treating rare diseases. It also underscores the need for people to seek immediate medical attention when faced with persistent symptoms.
