Challenge of a false-positive acid-fast bacilli: a diagnostic conundrum
Infectious and autoimmune diseases are distinct entities that require opposite therapeutic approaches. However, differentiating between the two can be a challenge, especially when the histopathology misguides the clinician. We highlight the case of a 66-year-old female who presented with fever, shortness of breath and cough for three months duration. She had raised inflammatory markers, and imaging revealed bilateral cavitating nodules. Histopathology revealed necrotising granulomatous inflammation along with acid-fast bacilli on Ziehl–Neelsen staining.