Tuberculosis and Takayasu arteritis: a case report

BACKGROUND: Takayasu arteritis is a rare and chronic granulomatous vasculitis that affects the large vessels. Takayasu arteritis targets the aorta and its branches and is still of unknown etiology. It often affects female patients under 50 years of age. A relationship between Takayasu arteritis and tuberculosis has been suggested for a long time. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a severe case of Takayasu arteritis in a 10-year-old Tunisian child revealed by renovascular hypertension with concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our patient is among only a few cases of Takayasu arteritis published worldwide affecting young infants and adolescents, which underlines the strong relationship between Takayasu arteritis and tuberculosis.