Late recurrence of Mycobacterium bovis genitourinary tuberculosis: case report and review of literature

A patient is described in whom Mycobacterium bovis genitourinary tuberculosis occurred initially 25 years after childhood scrofula and then recurred 29 years later despite apparently successful therapy. A review of the literature indicated that this 29-year interval between successive bouts of clinical genitourinary tuberculosis is among the longest described. This case also is a reminder that, although rare, Mycobacterium bovis infection and genitourinary tuberculosis still occur. To avoid nonrecognition of this disease and its potentially serious consequences, clinicians should remain vigilant for tuberculosis even in unusual clinical circumstances.