Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in Mycobacterium tuberculosis pulmonary infection without myocardial dysfunction.

Increased levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT pro- BNP) in infectious settings may not reflect myocardial depression. In addition to NT pro-BNP measurement, clinical assessment remains a valuable tool for diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure. A case of excessively increased NT pro-BNP level associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection that was not indicative of myocardial dysfunction is described.