Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis-Scrofula in Southern Mexico — A Case Report
Dominguez Gonzalez-Edward Darielle1*, Coyoc-Euan-Manuel Alejandro1, Euan Cervera-Víctor Manuel1, Cabrera Tamayo-Heidy Beatriz1, Gonzalez Panti-Jesús Augusto1, Uicab Ku-José Alfredo1, Colli Heredia-Juan Pablo2
1Departamento de Medicina Interna del Hospital General de Especialidades "Dr. Javier Buenfil Osorio", 24039 San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.
2Jefe de servicio del Programa de Medicina Interna del Hospital General de Especialidades "Dr. Javier Buenfil Osorio", 24039 San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Edward Darielle Dominguez Gonzalez, Internal Medicine Program of the Hospital de Especialidades de Campeche "Dr. Javier Buenfil Osorio", Av. Jose Lo pez Portillo (By Patricio Trueba de Regil), 24050 Campeche, Mexico. ORCID: 0009-0000-9462-134X
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAMB.2025.06.021
Received: November 14, 2025
Published: November 25, 2025
Citation: Dominguez Gonzalez ED, Coyoc-Euan MA, Euan Cervera VM, Cabrera Tamayo HB, Gonzalez Panti JA, Uicab Ku-JA, Colli Heredia JP. Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis-Scrofula in Southern Mexico — A Case Report. SVOA Microbiology 2025, 6:6, 191-196. doi:10.58624/SVOAMB.2025.06.021
Abstract
Tuberculous lymphadenitis, also known as scrofula or colliquative tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is the most common clinical form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. However, it is currently rare, and there are few reports in Campeche despite being a high-frequency epidemiological area. We present the case of a 28-year-old man who began his current illness two months prior, with unquantified fever, a 15-day history of cough, and a 5-kg weight loss over one month. A diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis with treatment abandonment was confirmed. He presented to the hospital with right-sided neck pain and a 3 cm injury. Fine-needle aspiration of the lesion yielded purulent-caseous material, which was positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) using Ziehl- Neelsen staining. Our case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion to differentiate mycobacterial infection from other causes of lymphadenopathy, especially in immunocompetent adolescent patients.
Keywords: Tuberculous lymphadenitis; Scrofula, Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Mexico
