Acute respiratory distress syndrome and pancytopenia during miliary tuberculosis in a HIV positive patient

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rare but severe complication of miliary tuberculosis, which may occur even under antituberculous therapy. Even with adequate treatment, its mortality is close to 70%, and if associated with pancytopenia, it may reach 100%. Underlying diseases, delayed diagnosis and additional complications are factors of poor prognosis. We report a case of a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who experienced pancytopenia and ARDS associated with miliary tuberculosis. The patient recovered under antituberculous chemotherapy.