Disseminated tuberculosis with esophageal involvement in an HIV-positive patient

When esophageal lesions are seen on radiographs or by means of endoscopy and there is no reasonable explanation for their existence, tuberculosis (TB) of the esophagus should be included in the differential diagnosis. Tuberculous involvement of the esophagus, although a rare entity especially needs to be considered among HIV-positive patients. Cultures and examination of biopsy specimens and sputum may clarify the diagnosis; if not, diagnosis may be confirmed with a trial of anti-TB therapy. We present the case of an HIV-positive man from India in whom a diagnosis of esophageal TB was established by isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from biopsy specimens.