©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Nov 26, 2025; 13(33): 109866
Published online Nov 26, 2025. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v13.i33.109866
Published online Nov 26, 2025. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v13.i33.109866
Mixed connective tissue disease and tuberculosis coexistence as a diagnostic dilemma: A case report
Fatima Sial, Abdul Basit, Nabeela Ghafoor, Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Warda Sial, Department of Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Abdul M Basil, Department of Medicine, Spinghar Medical University, Kabul 1001, Kābul, Afghanistan
Co-first authors: Fatima Sial and Abdul Basit.
Author contributions: Sial F contributed to conception, have agreed both to be personally accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the work; Sial F, Basit A, Ghafoor N, Sial W, Basil AM contributed to interpretation of data, have drafted the work, approved the submitted version; Basit A, Ghafoor N, Sial W, Basil AM have agreed to be personally accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the work.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article. No financial support, grants, or funding was received from any organization for the submitted work. The authors have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest, or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Corresponding author: Abdul M Basil, MD, Department of Medicine, Spinghar Medical University, 4th Alley, Char Rahe Qambar Kabul, Kabul 1001, Kābul, Afghanistan.
Received: May 26, 2025
Revised: June 2, 2025
Accepted: October 28, 2025
Published online: November 26, 2025
Processing time: 181 Days and 15.5 Hours
Revised: June 2, 2025
Accepted: October 28, 2025
Published online: November 26, 2025
Processing time: 181 Days and 15.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) can mimic infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB), complicating diagnosis especially in TB-endemic regions. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive immunological testing to differentiate MCTD from TB. Early recognition and tailored treatment improve patient outcomes significantly.