Non-healing Wounds: A Delayed Wound Infection by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: Non-healing wound causes significant morbidity and mortality of patients. One of the rare causes behind non-healing wound infection is M. tuberculosis which often remains undiagnosed. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the tuberculosis as one of the causes of non-healing wound.
METHODS: Wounds that did not heal even after secondary suturing and tissue biopsies were sent for histopathological examination. The cases diagnosed with tuberculosis received anti-tubercular treatment. Follow-up was done after 7 and 14 days of treatment, and response was seen in terms of reduction in inflammation and discharge.
RESULTS: Of the 36 patients, five patients had tubercular infection out of which one patient revealed tubercular granuloma, two revealed epitheloid cells, Langhans cells, whereas two revealed non-specific chronic inflammation in histopathology.
CONCLUSION: A high degree of suspicion and tissue biopsy is required in case of delayed or non-healing wounds to diagnose tuberculosis as a cause. Even if typical tubercular granuloma is not visible in histopathology, the presence of epitheloid cells, giant cells, Langhans cells or predominant lymphocytic infiltrate equally suggests tubercular tissue infection. © Federation of Obstetric & Gynecological Societies of India 2020.