艾滋病合并细菌性肺炎病原菌分布及耐药研究

目的研究艾滋病合并细菌性肺炎患者的病原菌分布及耐药情况,为临床疾病防控提供指导。方法收集艾滋病合并细菌性肺炎患者痰液等标本,分离鉴定病原菌,并对病原菌进行耐药性分析。结果分离鉴定出106株病原菌,其中革兰阴性菌66株,革兰阳性菌40株;革兰阴性菌中大肠埃希菌29株,肺炎克雷伯菌18株,阴沟肠杆菌10株,铜绿假单胞菌2株,鲍曼不动杆菌1株,其他革兰阴性菌6株;革兰阳性菌中凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌20株,金黄色葡萄球菌11株,肺炎链球菌5株,其他革兰阳性菌4株。大肠埃希菌对氨苄西林、庆大霉素、头孢他啶、左氧氟沙星、阿米卡星的耐药率分别为51.72%、37.93%、31.03%、24.14%和10.34%;肺炎克雷伯菌对庆大霉素、氨苄西林、左氧氟沙星、阿米卡星、头孢他啶的耐药率分别为55.56%、44.44%、33.33%、27.78%和16.67%,主要革兰阴性菌对美罗培南均敏感;凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌对庆大霉素、苯唑西林、利福平、阿奇霉素、克林霉素的耐药率分别为75.00%、50.00%、40.00%、30.00%和25.00%;金黄色葡萄球菌对庆大霉素、阿奇霉素、苯唑西林、克林霉素、利福平的耐药率分别为63.64%、54.55%、45.45%、45.45%和27.27%;肺炎链球菌对苯唑西林、庆大霉素、阿奇霉素、克林霉素、利福平的耐药率分别为40.00%、20.00%、20.00%、20.00%和20.00%,主要革兰阳性菌对利奈唑胺均敏感。结论艾滋病合并细菌性肺炎患者感染病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主,其中以大肠埃希菌最为常见。治疗革兰阴性菌感染患者时首选美罗培南;治疗革兰阳性菌感染患者时首选利奈唑胺。     

终末期肝病患者血流感染病原学特征

目的了解终末期肝病患者合并血流感染的病原学特点,为临床诊疗提供依据。方法回顾性分析2012年1月1日至2017年12月31日徐州医科大学附属医院终末期肝病合并血流感染患者的病原菌及药物敏感性试验结果。结果终末期肝病合并血流感染以社区获得性、继发性血流感染为主。预后不佳,治疗无效率达23.1%。病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主(91株,64.1%),主要包括大肠埃希菌(50株,35.2%)、肺炎克雷伯杆菌(20株,14.1%);多重耐药菌(MDR)占57.7%。ESBLs阳性菌多重耐药菌检出率明显高于ESBLs阴性菌(76.2%对39.3%)。革兰阳性菌(51株,35.9%)主要包括凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(18株,12.7%)金黄色葡萄球菌(16株,11.3%),MRS共16株(10.6%)。所有病原菌中共检出耐碳青霉烯类肠杆菌(CRE)3株(2.11%)、耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌6株(4.23%)。结论终末期肝病患者血流感染病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主。常见病原菌为大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯杆菌、凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌、金黄色葡萄球菌。MDR感染问题严重,CRE及MRSA需重视。     

老年无多重耐药危险医院获得性肺炎患者病原菌分布及耐药性分析

目的探讨老年无多重耐药危险医院获得性肺炎(HAP)患者病原菌分布及耐药性对临床用药和治疗的指导。方法选择2008年1月至2013年12月该院住院确诊的老年HAP患者426例,根据发病时间分为早发HAP组和晚发HAP组,采集痰标本进行培养鉴定和药敏试验。结果 426例老年HAP患者中病原菌共检出481株;HAP最常见病原菌为肺炎克雷伯杆菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和鲍曼不动杆菌等;早发HAP最常见病原菌为肺炎克雷伯杆菌、大肠埃希菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎链球菌和铜绿假单胞菌等;而晚发HAP最常见病原菌为肺炎克雷伯杆菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌、鲍曼不动杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌等;早发和晚发HAP患者革兰阴性菌与革兰阳性菌的比例差异无统计学意义(P0.05);晚发HAP中检出耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)、产超广谱β-内酰胺酶(ESBLs)细菌及耐碳青霉烯鲍曼不动杆菌(CR-AB)比例增高;另外338株革兰阴性菌的药敏试验结果显示,哌拉西林及阿莫西林/克拉维酸对早发HAP与晚发HAP耐药率差异显著(均P0.05),其余常见抗菌药物耐药率差异无统计学意义(均P0.05);111株革兰阳性菌的药敏试验结果显示,常用抗菌药物耐药率差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论老年无多重耐药危险HAP患者,早发和晚发HAP病原菌构成差别不大,尽管晚发HAP耐药率相对较高,但对大多数抗菌药物敏感,故合理选择抗菌药物是减少耐药菌株产生及降低二重感染率的有效措施。     

2型糖尿病足感染的病原菌分析

235例2型糖尿病足合并感染患者的细菌谱和药敏进行分析.结果共分离出282株病原菌,革兰阳性菌126株,占44.68%;革兰阴性菌150株,占53.19%;真菌6株,占2.13%.其中金黄色葡萄球菌86株,占30.50%;大肠埃希菌72株,占25.54%.耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄菌大于60%,肺炎克雷伯菌和大肠埃希菌对β-内酰胺类药物耐药率为44%～65%.结论糖尿病足感染主要以金黄色葡萄菌和大肠埃希菌多见,革兰阳性球菌感染呈上升之势.主要病原菌对常用抗菌药耐药率高.     

肺结核合并肺部感染患者的菌群分布特点及其耐药性分析

目的分析肺结核合并肺部感染患者的菌群分布特点及其耐药性,为临床合理使用抗菌药物提供参考。方法选择2011年3月—2015年4月孝感市中心医院收治的肺结核合并肺部感染患者314例,取患者早晨洗漱后咳出的深部痰或支气管灌洗液进行细菌培养,分析其菌群分布特点及耐药性。结果 314份标本共培养出病原菌414株,其中革兰阳性菌108株(占26.09%)、革兰阴性菌290株(占70.05%)、真菌16株(占3.86%);革兰阳性菌以金黄色葡萄球菌为主(占13.53%),革兰阴性菌以铜绿假单胞菌为主(占22.22%),真菌均为白色假丝酵母菌。药敏试验结果显示,金黄色葡萄球菌和溶血葡萄球菌对青霉素G的耐药率为100.0%,对万古霉素的耐药率均为0;铜绿假单胞菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、鲍曼不动杆菌、阴沟肠杆菌、大肠埃希菌对氨苄西林耐药率均为100.0%,肺炎克雷伯菌、阴沟肠杆菌和大肠埃希菌对亚胺培南和美罗培南的耐药率为0,铜绿假单胞菌对亚胺培南和美罗培南的耐药率较低,均为15.2%,鲍曼不动杆菌对阿米卡星和头孢哌酮的耐药率较低,分别为18.7%和21.9%。结论肺结核合并肺部感染患者病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主,主要革兰阳性菌为金黄色葡萄球菌,主要革兰阴性菌为铜绿假单胞菌。金黄色葡萄球菌和溶血葡萄球菌对万古霉素无耐药,肺炎克雷伯菌、阴沟肠杆菌和大肠埃希菌对亚胺培南和美罗培南无耐药,鲍曼不动杆菌对头孢哌酮耐药率低。     

急性白血病患者合并血流感染的病原学、耐药现状及预后高危因素分析北大核心CSCD

目的分析急性白血病患者合并血流感染的病原学特点和耐药现状,以及预后的影响因素。方法收集本院2016年1月-2021年1月收治的176例急性白血病合并血流感染患者的临床病案资料,分析感染病原菌的种类及耐药性。根据176例患者治疗30 d后的情况分为生存组(145例)和死亡组(31例)。采用Logistic回归模型分析影响白血病患者合并血流感染预后的危险因素。结果176例急性白血病合并血流感染患者共分离出181株病原菌,其中5例为混合感染。检出的病原菌中革兰阴性菌113株,占62.43%,以大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌为主,分别为62株(占34.24%)和35株(占19.34%)。革兰阳性菌66株,占36.46%,以凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌、金黄色葡萄球菌为主,分别为29株(占16.02%)和20株(占11.05%)。革兰阳性菌普遍对万古霉素、替加环素、头孢唑林、苯唑西林敏感,其中的凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌和金黄色葡萄球菌对青霉素、红霉素耐药率均较高;革兰阴性菌对美罗培南、亚胺培南、阿米卡星、哌拉西林敏感,其中的大肠埃希菌对氨苄西林耐药性较高,肺炎克雷伯菌对头孢唑林、头孢他啶耐药性较高。Logistic回归模型分析显示,年龄大、合并基础疾病≥2、感染性休克、中性粒细胞缺乏、白血病初始治疗、感染多重耐药菌是影响急性白血病合并血流感染患者预后的独立危险因素(均P<0.05)。结论急性白血病患者合并血流感染的病原菌种类多,主要为革兰阴性菌,美罗培南、亚胺培南、哌拉西林可作为抗感染用药首选。     

老年慢性心力衰竭患者呼吸道感染状况及其影响因素

目的分析老年慢性心力衰竭患者住院治疗期间呼吸道感染情况、病原菌分布特点及其可能的影响因素。方法选择慢性心力衰竭患者1 514例,观察感染患者病原菌培养及鉴定结果,将住院治疗期间发生呼吸道感染者作为呼吸道感染组,其他患者作为非感染组,对比两组一般情况,分析老年慢性心力衰竭患者呼吸道感染可能的影响因素。结果 1 514例老年慢性心力衰竭患者,经查住院期间呼吸道感染71例(4.69%)。分离出病原菌102株,包括67株革兰阴性菌,35株革兰阳性菌,未检出真菌。革兰阴性菌主要检出铜绿假单胞菌、肺炎克雷伯菌及大肠埃希菌,革兰阳性菌主要检出金黄色葡萄球菌、溶血性葡萄球菌、表皮葡萄球菌及肺炎链球菌。高龄、病程长、心功能分级高、住院时间长、住院期间有侵入性操作、合并糖尿病均可能是老年慢性心力衰竭患者住院治疗期间呼吸道感染的独立危险因素(OR1,P0.05)。结论铜绿假单胞菌、肺炎克雷伯菌等革兰阴性菌是老年慢性心力衰竭患者住院期间呼吸道感染主要致病菌,高龄、病程长、心功能分级高、住院时间长、接受侵入性操作、合并糖尿病等因素可能是导致感染发生的独立危险因素,临床应重视这类患者住院治疗期间的感染防控,以减少呼吸道感染的发生,改善患者预后。     

急性白血病患者合并血流感染的病原学、耐药现状及预后高危因素分析

目的分析急性白血病患者合并血流感染的病原学特点和耐药现状,以及预后的影响因素。方法收集本院2016年1月-2021年1月收治的176例急性白血病合并血流感染患者的临床病案资料,分析感染病原菌的种类及耐药性。根据176例患者治疗30 d后的情况分为生存组(145例)和死亡组(31例)。采用Logistic回归模型分析影响白血病患者合并血流感染预后的危险因素。结果 176例急性白血病合并血流感染患者共分离出181株病原菌,其中5例为混合感染。检出的病原菌中革兰阴性菌113株,占62.43%,以大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌为主,分别为62株(占34.24%)和35株(占19.34%)。革兰阳性菌66株,占36.46%,以凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌、金黄色葡萄球菌为主,分别为29株(占16.02%)和20株(占11.05%)。革兰阳性菌普遍对万古霉素、替加环素、头孢唑林、苯唑西林敏感,其中的凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌和金黄色葡萄球菌对青霉素、红霉素耐药率均较高;革兰阴性菌对美罗培南、亚胺培南、阿米卡星、哌拉西林敏感,其中的大肠埃希菌对氨苄西林耐药性较高,肺炎克雷伯菌对头孢唑林、头孢他啶耐药性较高。Logistic回归模型分析显示,年龄大、合并基础疾病≥2、感染性休克、中性粒细胞缺乏、白血病初始治疗、感染多重耐药菌是影响急性白血病合并血流感染患者预后的独立危险因素(均P0.05)。结论急性白血病患者合并血流感染的病原菌种类多,主要为革兰阴性菌,美罗培南、亚胺培南、哌拉西林可作为抗感染用药首选。     

老年住院患者感染病原菌及其耐药情况分析

2008年1月~2009年12月本院70岁以上老年住院患者共检出细菌211株,菌株数前5位的依次是大肠埃希菌(51株)、肺炎克雷伯菌(33株)、鲍曼不动杆菌(20株)、表皮葡萄球菌(17株)和阴沟肠杆菌(14株);感染部位以下呼吸道为主,其次是泌尿道和血液。64.71%的大肠埃希菌(33株)产超广谱β-内酰胺酶(ESBLs),耐甲氧西林金黄葡萄球菌(MRSA)占63.64%(7株)。革兰阳性球菌未发现万古霉素耐药菌株,革兰阴性杆菌未发现亚胺培南和美罗培南耐药菌株。老年住院患者检出菌以革兰阴性菌为主,且存在不同程度的耐药。     

泌尿道感染病人尿液病原菌鉴定及药敏结果分析

245份中段尿细菌培养阳性标本中检出革兰阳性菌44株,革兰阴性菌195株,真菌6株。肠杆菌科细菌180株,非发酵菌16株,占6.53%。革兰阴性菌中以大肠埃希菌最多,为159株,其次为肺炎克雷伯杆菌(11株)和铜绿假单胞菌(9株);革兰阳性菌中以屎肠球菌为主(21株),其次为金黄色葡萄球菌(10株)和粪肠球菌(7株)。药敏试验表明,大肠埃希菌对呋喃妥因最敏感,肺炎克雷伯杆菌对庆大霉素、丁胺卡那和诺氟沙星最敏感,屎肠球菌对万古霉素和诺氟沙星最敏感。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

MUTATION FREQUENCY IN NURSES AND PHARMACISTS WORKING WITH CYTOTOXIC DRUGS

Individuals occupationally exposed to cytotoxic drugs may be at risk owing to the effects of these agents on DNA. As an index of DNA damage, in vivo mutations were measured in lymphocytes from 24 oncology nurses or pharmacists and 24 matched controls. Mutation frequency was significantly increased in exposed individuals and appeared to be related to duration of exposure. However, the overall magnitude of the increase was small and its biological significance remains to be determined.     

A single injection of adrenergic agonists enhances pineal melatonin production in Turkish hamsters

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the pineal gland of Turkish hamsters (Mesocricetus brandti) responds to adrenergic agonists with an increase in melatonin production, and, if it does, whether the sensitivity of the pineal gland to agonists would differ throughout the dark phase. Adult Turkish hamsters weighing 110–210 g received a subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (ISO, 1 mg/kg B.W.) or norepinephrine (NE, 1 mg/kg B.W.) at different times of night. Animals exposed to LD 16:8 responded to ISO or NE with increased pineal melatonin content only when injected at dawn, when endogenous melatonin is at basal or near-basal levels. When the 8 hr scotophase was entirely replaced with light, the responsiveness to ISO injections at dawn disappeared. In animals exposed to light from 30 min prior to injection to the time of sacrifice, ISO injections increased pineal melatonin content (P < 0.005, three-way ANOVA), which varied, depending on the specific time of injection (effect of time of night, P < 0.05, three-way ANOVA). These results demonstrate that (1) adrenergic agonists enhance the production of pineal melatonin in Turkish hamsters, (2) this stimulatory effect takes place late, but not early in the 8 hr scotophase, and (3) the adrenergic induction of pineal melatonin production in Turkish hamsters requires priming by darkness during the appropriate circadian phase.     

Immune effector mechanisms in malaria: An update focusing on human immunity

The past decade has witnessed dramatic decreases in malaria‐associated mortality and morbidity around the world. This progress has largely been due to intensified malaria control measures, implementation of rapid diagnostics and establishing a network to anticipate and mitigate antimalarial drug resistance. However, the ultimate tool for malaria prevention is the development and implementation of an effective vaccine. To date, malaria vaccine efforts have focused on determining which of the thousands of antigens expressed by Plasmodium falciparum are instrumental targets of protective immunity. The antigenic variation and antigenic polymorphisms arising in parasite genes under immune selection present a daunting challenge for target antigen selection and prioritization, and is a given caveat when interpreting immune recall responses or results from monovalent vaccine trials. Other immune evasion strategies executed by the parasite highlight the myriad of ways in which it can become a recurrent infection. This review provides an update on immune effector mechanisms in malaria and focuses on our improved ability to interrogate the complexity of human immune system, accelerated by recent methodological advances. Appreciating how the human immune landscape influences the effectiveness and longevity of antimalarial immunity will help explain which conditions are necessary for immune effector mechanisms to prevail.     

Secondary aortoduodenal fistula

Aorto-duodenal fistulae （ADF） are the most frequent aorto-enteric fistulae （80%）, presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We report the first case of a man with a secondary aorto-duodenal fistula presenting with a history of persistent occlusive syndrome. A 59-year old man who underwent an aortic-bi-femoral bypass 5 years ago, presented with dyspepsia and biliary vomiting. Computed tomography scan showed in the third duodenal segment the presence of inflammatory tissue with air bubbles between the duodenum and prosthesis, adherent to the duodenum. The patient was submitted to surgery, during which the prosthesis was detached from the duodenum, the intestine failed to close and a gastro-jejunal anastomosis was performed. The post-operative course was simple, secondary ADF was a complication （0.3%-2%） of aortic surgery. Mechanical erosion of the prosthetic material into the bowel was due to the lack of interposed retroperitoneal tissue or the excessive pulsation of redundantly placed grafts or septic procedures. The third or fourth duodenal segment was most frequently involved. Diagnosis of ADF was difficult. Surgical treatment is always recommended by explorative laparotomy. ADF must be suspected whenever a patient with aortic prosthesis has digestive bleeding or unexplained obstructive syndrome. Rarely the clinical picture of ADF is subtle presenting as an obstructive syndrome and in these cases the principal goal is to effectively relieve the mechanical bowel obstruction.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Married to M. tuberculosis: risk of infection and disease in spouses of smear-positive tuberculosis patients

Objectives To quantify the risk of infection and disease in spouses of tuberculosis patients and the extent to which intervention could reduce the risk in this highly exposed group. Methods We compared HIV prevalence, TB prevalence and incidence and tuberculin skin test (TST) results in spouses of TB patients and community controls. HIV‐positive spouses were offered isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), and TST was repeated at 6, 12 and 24 months. Results We recruited 148 spouses of smear‐positive patients ascertained prospectively and 3% had active TB. We identified 203 spouses of previously diagnosed smear‐positive patients, 11 had already had TB, and the rate of TB was 2.4 per 100 person years(py) over 2 years (95% CI 1.15–5.09). 116 were found alive and recruited. HIV prevalence was 37% and 39% in the prospective and retrospective spouse groups and 17% in controls. TST was ≥10 mm in 80% of HIV negative and in 57% of HIV‐positive spouses ascertained retrospectively; 74% HIV negative and 62% HIV‐positive spouses ascertained prospectively, and 48% HIV negative and 26% HIV‐positive community controls. Of 54 HIV‐positive spouses, 18 completed 6‐month IPT. At 2 year follow‐up, 87% of surviving spouses had TST ≥10 mm and the rate of TB was 1.1 per 100 py (95% CI 0.34–3.29). Conclusions Spouses are a high‐risk group who should be screened for HIV and active TB. TST prevalence was already high by the time the spouses were approached but further infections were seen to occur. Uptake and adherence to IPT was disappointing, lessening the impact of short‐duration therapy.