Takayasu's Arteritis: The Relationship with Tuberculosis

A 12-year-old girl developed Takayasu's arteritis (pulseless disease) within a month of the appearance of tuberculous cervical adenitis. This unusual form of arteritis is common in Japan and Korea but has rarely been reported in individuals born in the United States. The etiology is unclear. The literature currently hypothesizes an autoimmune basis and treatment with steroids. Although a tuberculin sensitization pathogenesis has been suggested, a close temporal relationship with the onset of a tuberculous process has not previously been documented. The likelihood of uncovering tuberculin sensitivity or active tuberculosis in patients with Takayasu's arteritis is substantially higher than in the general population in all countries analyzed. The natural history of this arteritis is highly variable. The adolescent described in this paper has demonstrated complete symptomatic remission as well as return of pulses simultaneous with antituberculosis therapy.