[Polymyositis in pulmonary tuberculosis].

A case in reported of the clinical syndrome of polymyositis in a young man. The syndrome masked pulmonary tuberculosis. Sudden appearance of pains and weakness of the muscles of the shoulder and abdominal muscles was accompanied by fever up to 40 degrees C, and macular rash on the trunk and extremities. During the disease right-sided pneumonia developed and regressed after treatment with antibiotics (tetracyclines, penicillin). Laboratory investigations showed high ESR, high leucocyte count, high levels of transaminases, CPK and LDH, and in cutaneo-muscular++ biopsy specimen scan subepidermal infiltrations were present. The patient was treated with corticosteroids with a striking improvement of the general condition. During this treatment left-sided pleural effusion developed. Bacteriological examination of the pleural fluid, including tests for acid-fast bacilli, was negative in direct examination, but these bacilli were cultured from fluid. No malignant cells were found. After antituberculous treatment the condition of the patient and the biochemical parameters became normal.