Death associated with miliary tuberculosis (Koch’s disease): A case report
Abstract
Miliary tuberculosis is a disseminated form of tuberculosis (TB) that is often life-threatening. Due to its vague and diverse clinical presentation in some instances the diagnosis is only confirmed postmortem. A 42-year-old male presented to the emergency department in an altered mental state. Despite intensive management, he succumbed to cardiac arrest. An autopsy revealed disseminated granulomas in multiple organs, with Ziehl-Neelsen staining confirming miliary tuberculosis. Septicaemia was declared the cause of death, highlighting the challenge of diagnosing miliary TB antemortem. Healthcare practitioners must prioritise early and comprehensive examination of high-risk tuberculosis patients and improve awareness.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Medico-Legal Journal
- Volume
- 94
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 150–153
- Publication date
- 16 February 2026
- Language
- EN