Latent tuberculosis infection associates with cardiac involvement in patients with sarcoidosis

摘要

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease characterized by formation of non-caseating granulomas. About 5% of patients have symptoms of cardiac sarcoidosis. Identification of cardiac involvement is important since it is a major cause of death. Mycobacterial antigens have been linked to sarcoidosis pathogenesis. Previous findings suggest that a latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) might associate with development of cardiac involvement in patients with sarcoidosis. The aim of the present study was to further evaluate these findings in another cohort of cardiac sarcoidosis patients.