Abstract
Cavitary tuberculosis in the immunocompetent paediatric age group is not a common occurrence. The cavitary condition of the disease relates to a high bacillary load and such patients are highly infectious. If not treated early, it can cause perpetuation of infection to close contacts in the family who also can eventually turn positive for tuberculosis (TB). Here is a case of an eleven-year-old girl with a history of cough for 2 months present throughout the day, associated with yellowish, non-blood-tinged sputum, fever and chills. The Ziehl Neelson stain revealed acid fast bacilli 3+. Sputum culture by MB/BacT automated system flagged positive on day 12. The MPT64 antigen test confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The PPD skin test was significantly positive in family members. The child improved with antitubercular treatment and her family members were negative for AFB and chest X-ray findings. Open cases of tuberculosis with cavitary lesions in the paediatric age group need to be recognized early with a high index of clinical suspicion and treated along with contact tracing of close contacts.
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