Drug-resistant tuberculosis after gastrectomy. Double jeopardy?

Abstract

Although an increased incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is found in patients after subtotal gastrectomy, to my knowledge, the potential for gastrectomy to alter the course and outcome of typical mycobacterial disease has not been noted. I report the case of a patient who developed tuberculosis after a Billroth II subtotal gastrectomy, malabsorbed his antibiotics, and subsequently manifested infection with a drug-resistant strain of M tuberculosis. Altered drug pharmacokinetics should be considered as an important metabolic consequence of subtotal gastrectomy.