Tuberculosis and HIV co-infection; the deadly duos in vulva

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus induced immune suppression leads the way for various infections with tuberculosis being the most common. Tuberculosis of the vulva is an extremely rare entity and is seen in only 1–2% of genital TB with increased risk in HIV co-infection. The co-infection places an immense burden on health care systems and poses particular diagnostic & therapeutic challenges with high mortality and morbidity. We present, here, a rare case of a 47 years postmenopausal female, who presented with itchy ulcerating lesions in the vulva with diagnostic dilemma turned to be vulval tuberculosis and during investigations, was found to be co-infected with HIV. The early diagnosis of TB and HIV in atypical looking lesions of vulva with high index of suspicion could lead to improved outcome.