TB or not TB...or what else?!

Purpose To present the clinical pattern of a complex case with atypical clinical features and controversial laboratory results. Methods Case report Results Infectious diseases represent always a challenge both for the clinical presentation and the management. The advent of new laboratory tests has lead to diagnosis of certain diseases which were undetectable in the recent past. These techniques have changed the way of treating several diseases, even though the gold standard still represents a chimera. Infact, it is not uncommon to face diseases which present themselves atypically and with laboratory tests which can be controversial. We want to present an anecdotal case that was defined a "killer case" in our tertiary referral centre. Conclusion The clinical presentation and the laboratory results of certain diseases can often be a tricky challenge even for highly specialized centres. The scientific "methodic doubt" is mandatory in cases which do not present typical clinical features.