[A case of tuberculous pleurisy with a rapid decrease in pleural effusion].

We report a rare case of tuberculous pleurisy with a rapid decrease in pleural effusion by levofloxacin. A 73-year-old woman admitted due to dyspnea on exertion of one month duration. She had aortitis syndrome which had been treated with oral prednisolone for 6 months. Chest roentgenogram showed left pleural effusion, which was exudative with lymphocyte predominance and an increased level of adenosine deaminase. One-week administration of levofloxacin remarkably decreased effusion. as demonstrated on chest roentgenogram 2 weeks after treatment. Since Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in culture from bronchial lavage fluid and sputum, we prescribed antituberculous therapy with isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol. resulting in complete resolution.