Cord factor in Sputum of a Patient with Schizophrenia: a Case Report
Keywords:
Cord factor, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Psychiatric comorbiditiesAbstract
Trehalose 6,6’-dimycolate (TDM), or cord factor, is a glycolipid in the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and a key determinant of its virulence. The case report highlights rare detection of cord factor in a 41-year-old female diagnosed with schizophrenia and pulmonary tuberculosis. The patient had typical symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis and tested positive for acid fast bacilli through Ziehl– Neelsen staining as well as presence of cord. Cord factor may serve as a virulence factor which enables the bacteria to evade immune defense mechanism by inhibiting phagosome-lysosome fusion. The patient was referred for tuberculosis treatment to the nearest DOT center. The patient did not come back for follow-up, highlighting challenges in managing tuberculosis in psychiatric patients.
How to cite this article:
Ahmed I, Kalita J M, Hazarika J. Cord factor
in Sputum of a Patient with Schizophrenia: a
Case Report. Int J Adv Res MicroBiol Immunol.
2025;2(1):7-9
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