Tuberculous lymphadenitis

Tuberculous lymphadenitis (or tuberculous adenitis) is the most common form of tuberculosis infections that appears outside the lungs. Tuberculous lymphadenitis is a chronic, specific granulomatous inflammation of the lymph node with caseation necrosis, caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or related bacteria. Tuberculous lymphadenitis (or tuberculous adenitis) is the most common form of tuberculosis infections that appears outside the lungs. Tuberculous lymphadenitis is a chronic, specific granulomatous inflammation of the lymph node with caseation necrosis, caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or related bacteria. The characteristic morphological element is the tuberculous granuloma (caseating tubercule). This consists of giant multinucleated cells and (Langhans cells), surrounded by epithelioid cells aggregates, T cell lymphocytes and fibroblasts. Granulomatous tubercules eventually develop central caseous necrosis and tend to become confluent, replacing the lymphoid tissue. It is usually caused by the most common cause of tuberculosis in the lungs, namely Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It has sometimes also been caused by related bacteria, including M. bovis, M. kansasii, M. fortuitum, M. marnum, and M. ulcerans. In addition to swollen lymph nodes, called lymphadenitis, the person may experience mild fevers, not feel like eating, or lose weight.