Miliary tuberculosis: rapid diagnosis, hematologic abnormalities, and outcome in 109 treated adults

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and laboratory characteristics, diagnostic methods, and prognostic variables in adults treated for miliary tuberculosis in the rifampicin era. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Computerized records of our community-based university teaching hospital over a 10-year period (1978 to 1987) were analyzed. A total of 109 patients were identified, including 12 who did not have miliary nodules on the chest radiograph (all of whom were shown to have hematogenous dissemination). Predisposing conditions were present in 46 patients. RESULTS: Clinical features were similar to those of previously reported series. Hematologic abnormalities were common: leukopenia (less than 4 x 10(9)/L) was present in 16 of 107 patients (15%), thrombocytopenia (less than 150 x 10(9)/L) in 24 of 104 (23%), and lymphopenia (less than 1.5 x 10(9)/L) in 82 of 94 (87%). Pancytopenia was found in six patients, three of whom recovered. Disseminated intravascular coagulation occurred in four patients, all of whom died. Adenosine deaminase levels were elevated in only seven of 11 serosal exudates and in seven of 12 samples of abnormal cerebrospinal fluid. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 44 of 51 patients (86%), bone marrow examination in 19 of 22 (86%), and liver biopsy in all 10 patients. Twenty-six patients (24%) died of miliary tuberculosis a median of 6 days after starting treatment. Survivors were followed up for a median of 51 weeks. Stepwise logistic regression identified aged (greater than 60 years), lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, elevated transaminase levels, and treatment delay as independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Miliary tuberculosis commonly causes hematologic derangements, some of which are helpful prognostically. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy compares favorably to liver and bone marrow biopsy in sputum smear-negative cases. Mortality remains high and treatment should be begun as soon as the diagnosis is suspected.     

Miliary tuberculosis: clinical manifestations, diagnosis and outcome in 38 adults

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical, radiographic and laboratory characteristics, diagnostic methods, and prognostic variables in patients with miliary tuberculosis (TB). METHODOLOGY: The records of 38 patients (15 male, 23 female; mean age 41 years, range 16-76 years) with miliary TB from 1978 to 1998 were analyzed. Patients were evaluated also as to whether they presented with a fever of unknown origin (FUO). Criteria for the diagnosis of miliary TB were (i) miliary pattern on chest X-ray or (ii) biopsy or autopsy evidence of miliary organ involvement. Paraffin-embedded tissues with granulomata (n = 15) were re-evaluated for the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Predisposing conditions were present in 24% of the patients. The findings were fever, weakness, night sweats, anorexia/weight loss (100% for each), hepatomegaly (37%), splenomegaly (32%), choroidal tubercles (13%), neck stiffness (11%), altered mental status (8%), anaemia (76%), leukopenia (26%), thrombocytopenia (16%), lymphopenia (76%), pancytopenia (8%) and hypertransaminasemia (55%). Eighteen patients (47%) met the criteria for a FUO. Miliary infiltrates were found on chest X-rays of 32 of 38 cases (84%). In six cases without miliary infiltrates, the diagnosis was made by laparotomy in four cases, and autopsy in two cases. Tuberculin skin test was positive in 32% of cases. Acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated in 37% (16/43), and cultures for M. tuberculosis were positive in 90% (9/10) of tested specimens (predominantly sputum and bronchial lavage). Granulomas were found in 85% (11/13) of lung, 100% (15/15) of liver, and 56% (9/16) of bone marrow tissue specimens. Acid-fast bacilli staining was negative in all (0/21), while PCR was positive in 47% (7/15) of specimens with granulomata. Mortality was 18%. Stepwise logistic regression identified male sex (P = 0.005), non-typical miliary pattern (P = 0.015), altered mental status (P = 0.002) and failure to treat for TB (P = 0.00001) as independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Miliary infiltrates on chest X-ray or FUO should raise the possibility of miliary TB. Therapy should be administered urgently to prevent an otherwise fatal outcome.     

Clinical presentation of tuberculosis and the degree of immunodeficiency in patients with HIV infection.

A retrospective study of 80 HIV patients diagnosed with tuberculosis was carried out in order to evaluate the clinical presentation of tuberculosis (CPT) in relation to the degree of HIV-induced immunodeficiency, as determined by the CD4 lymphocyte count and reactivity to the tuberculin and delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) skin tests by applying 2TU of RT-23 tuberculin, and the Muiltest IMC Merieux, respectively. CPT classification was undertaken on the basis of the location of the disease: pulmonary tuberculosis (PT), distinguishing between typical pulmonary (TP) and atypical (AP) according to the radiological pattern; extrapulmonary (ET); mixed tuberculosis (MT) pulmonary and extrapulmonary; and miliary tuberculosis. The CD4 lymphocyte count was 264.6 +/- 226.8, the TP had the highest number (505), MT had 132 (p < 0.001) and the miliary tuberculosis had 148 (p < 0.001), the lowest. The tuberculin skin test was positive in 35%, of which 11% were MT (p < 0.05). In the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, 67% were non-normoergic, of which 95% and 100% were MT and miliary tuberculosis, respectively (p < 0.05). There was a good overlap between CD4 depletion and skin tests. TP exhibited moderate immunodeficiency, AP severe immunodeficiency, and mixed and miliary TB extremely high immunodeficiency.     

Drug susceptibility pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in adult patients with miliary tuberculosis

Miliary tuberculosis (TB) is a fatal form of TB. Although drug resistance in TB patients has increased worldwide, there is limited information on drug resistance in miliary TB. This study from Pakistan evaluated drug susceptibility pattern among miliary TB patients of a high TB-burden country. All adult patients with miliary TB, admitted between 1994 and 2001, were identified using a computerized database. Culture-positive isolates were evaluated for drug susceptibility using middle brook 7H10 agar according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratories Standard criteria. Of 110 patients diagnosed with miliary TB, 32 (30%) were culture positive (yielding 35 culture isolates). The sources of positive cultures were sputum (37%), cerebrospinal fluid (18%), lymph nodes (12%), bone marrow (9%), bronchial wash (9%), urine (6%), lungs (6%) and liver (3%). Isoniazid resistance was found in three (9%) isolates. All the isolates were sensitive to rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide and streptomycin. Despite a worldwide increase in TB drug resistance, patients with miliary TB have infection with drug-sensitive mycobacterium. First-line anti-TB drugs should be used as initial therapy in miliary TB patients.     

Liver abscess in the tropics: an experience from Nepal

Thirty-six consecutive cases of liver abscess seen at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Hospital, Dharan, Nepal, from 1995 to 1998, were reviewed. Twenty-one cases were male and 15 female, with a mean age of 42 years. Twenty-four cases (66.7%) were amebic, 7 (19.4%) pyogenic, 3 (8.3%) indeterminate and 2 (5.5%) tuberculous. The most frequent clinical features included fever (88%), leukocytosis (66.7%), abnormal level of serum albumin (44.4%) and alkaline phosphatase (38.9%). The liver abscess was single in 61.1%, multiple in 27.8%, and in 66.7% of cases the abscess was present in the right lobe of the liver. Ultrasonography was diagnostic in all cases. A positive culture of the abscess was obtained in 7 cases (19.4%). The most frequent bacteria found were Klebsiella pneumoniae (4;11.1%), followed by Escherichia coli (3;8.3%). Two cases were due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and none had malignancy. Percutaneous drainage was performed in 27 patients (75%). Mortality attributable to the abscess was 5.5%. We found percutaneous needle aspiration of liver abscess helpful in confirming diagnosis, as it provides a better bacteriological culture yield, gives a good outcome, and may uncover clinically unsuspected conditions like malignancy and tuberculosis. These two conditions should certainly be considered possible causes in our part of the world when an abscess fails to respond to standard treatment. In developing countries like Nepal, the clinical presentation of liver abscess has not varied over time. At present, rapid diagnosis and image-guided percutaneous drainage offer a better prognosis for liver abscess. We also recommend routine cytological examination of aspirated abscess materials, as well as stains and cultures for acid-fast bacilli.     

Clinical characteristics of 110 miliary tuberculosis patients from a low HIV prevalence country.

SETTING: A university teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical characteristics and outcome of miliary tuberculosis (TB) patients from a low human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence country. DESIGN: Review of adult miliary TB patients admitted between 1994 and 2001. Clinical characteristics of those dying from miliary TB were compared with those of the survivors. RESULTS: Most of the 110 cases reviewed were middle aged or elderly, with a female preponderance. An underlying medical condition was present in 47%. Presenting symptoms were of several weeks' duration, and mostly constitutional (fever and weight loss). Common laboratory findings included anaemia (62%), lymphopaenia (71%), hyponatraemia (74%), elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (57%) and hypoalbuminaemia (92%). Typical miliary pattern was observed in 77% of radiographs. Sputum smear and culture were positive in respectively 36% and 52% of those tested. Biopsy was performed in selected patients. Mean hospital stay was 8.8 days, and mortality was 30%. Those who died were significantly older than survivors and had a more fulminant course. Presence of altered mental status, lung crackles, leucocytosis, thrombocytopaenia and the need for ventilation were associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSION: Miliary TB carries a high mortality. It should be considered in patients who present with prolonged systemic symptoms. A positive TB culture or biopsy is needed to establish a diagnosis.     

Miliary tuberculosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Miliary tuberculosis is a life-threatening disease caused by the haematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We evaluated the clinical manifestations of 34 patients with miliary tuberculosis. DESIGN: A retrospective case review. RESULTS: The diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis was based on the identification of miliary nodules on chest radiography and one of the three following criteria: 1) acid-fast bacilli smear and/or culture positive in clinical specimens (22/34), 2) histopathological identification of TB granuloma (6/34), and 3) radiological and clinical improvement after anti-tuberculosis treatment (6/34). The median age (+/-SD) of the patients was 42.7 +/- 21.6 years, with two peaks, in the age group 20-30 and in those over 60. There were 16 underlying diseases in 14 patients, of which liver cirrhosis was the most common. The drug sensitivity pattern was available for 17 isolates of M. tuberculosis: 14 were sensitive, while the other three were resistant to at least one anti-tuberculosis drug. Eight patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), five of whom died during intensive care. Platelet count, serum albumin and liver enzyme level at the time of admission were significant factors both for ARDS development and for survival. CONCLUSION: ARDS caused by miliary TB is associated with a high fatality rate; scope remains for improvement in its management.     

Diagnostic problems in pulmonary miliary tuberculosis, an analysis of 125 cases

From Dec. 1984 to Dec. 1985, 4805 cases of various types of pulmonary tuberculosis were admitted to our hospital. Among them, there were 125 cases of pulmonary miliary tuberculosis, accounted for 2.6% of total cases. The rate of delayed diagnosis was 92%. The rate of delayed diagnosis patients of rural areas was higher than that of city (96.9%, versus 82.8%, P less than 0.05). Only 33.6% showed typical miliary changes on chest radiographs. The complication of enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes and extrapulmonary tuberculosis were much higher in miliary tuberculosis patients than that of total cases (36%, 45/125; 4.9%, 236/4805; P less than 0.01. 71.2%, 89/125; 5.8%, 278/4805; P less than 0.01 respectively).     

20例艾滋病病人免疫重建中合并结核相关性重建炎性综合征的胸部CT影像特点

目的探讨艾滋病(AIDS)病人在免疫重建过程中,合并与肺结核相关重建炎性综合征的胸部计算机层析成像(CT)影像特点。方法采用回顾性分析的方法,对20例AIDS病人免疫重建过程中,合并结核相关性重建炎性综合征的胸部CT影像进行分析。结果 20例AIDS免疫重建合并肺结核相关重建炎性综合征病人的胸部CT影像,表现为急性血行播散型肺结核与继发型肺结核,急性血行播散型肺结核9例(45.0%,9/20),继发型肺结核11例(55.0%,11/20)。病灶分布3个肺叶及以上者7例(35.0%,7/20),病灶局限于1～2个肺叶者4例(20.0%,4/20)。病变形态为粟粒影、结节影、肺段与亚段实变影,分别为13例(65.0%,13/20)、9例(45.0%,9/20)、5例(25.0%,5/20),肺空洞3例(15.0%,3/20)。胸部CT影像出现纵隔淋巴结肿大伴液化坏死17例(85.0%,17/20),胸腔积液15例(75%,15/20)。结论 AIDS免疫重建合并肺结核相关重建炎性综合征时,胸部CT影像特点是病变呈弥漫、多肺叶分布,粟粒影、结节影、肺段与亚段实变影为肺部病变主要形态,纵隔淋巴结肿大伴液化坏死、胸腔积液常见。其发生机制与重新激活的异常免疫应答相关。在高效抗反转录病毒治疗同时,积极给予抗结核治疗后,病变吸收明显。     

Disseminated tuberculosis: a 10-year experience in a medical center

Disseminated tuberculosis remains a diagnostic challenge because the presentations are nonspecific. In the current retrospective study we describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of disseminated tuberculosis. From January 1995 to December 2004, patients with culture-confirmed tuberculosis who fulfilled the criteria for disseminated tuberculosis were selected and their medical records reviewed. Their clinical isolates were genotyped. Of the 3058 patients with culture-confirmed tuberculosis, 164 (5.4%) had disseminated disease; 14.0% of patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The most common radiographic finding was miliary lung lesions (47.0%); 31.1% of patients died at the end of the study. Poor prognostic factors included hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, renal insufficiency, and delayed antituberculosis treatment. Clinical findings suggestive of disseminated tuberculosis were miliary lung lesions, serum ferritin >1000 microg/L, infiltrative liver disease, and adjusted calcium >2.6 mmol/L. Simultaneously performing mycobacterial culture and histopathologic examination of bone marrow biopsy was more sensitive and faster than just performing mycobacterial blood culture in diagnosing disseminated tuberculosis. Of the 64 preserved Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates, 47 (73.4%) were clustered and 27 (42.2%) were Beijing family. Since prognosis was worse in patients with delayed treatment, a high index of suspicion is required, especially in those with clinical findings suggestive of disseminated tuberculosis.     

Tuberculose disséminée sur terrain non immunodéprimé: à propos de trois cas

Introduction. — Disseminated tuberculosis, ie, tuberculosis involving lung, liver, spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes is rare (2,8%), particularly when immunocompromised diathesis is lacking.Exegesis. — We report three cases of disseminated tuberculosis confirmed by bacteriology or histology, which occurred in non-immunocompromised patients. Disease evolution under antituberculous treatment was favorable in two cases and fatal in the third one.Conclusion. — Disseminated tuberculosis must be suspected when miliary pulmonary lesions are associated with hematologic abnormalities, even in non-immunocompromised host. Early treatment is mandatory to avoid fatal outcome.     

Acute respiratory failure caused by tuberculosis requiring mechanical ventilation

The patients with active tuberculosis in whom respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation developed were studied retrospectively. Nine patients (M 8, F 1) were identified at the National Tokyo Hospital during 5 years from January, 1993 to December, 1997. Seven of 9 patients were single men, and the duration of symptoms before admission was over 1 month in all patients, while the time from first visit to diagnosis was less than 7 days. All patients were identified as malnourished, and 7 patients suffered from another underlying diseases. The patients were classified into two groups. Six of 9 patients had pulmonary tuberculosis and the other three had miliary disease. The proportion of cases requiring mechanical ventilation was 0.3% and 8.6%, respectively, in pulmonary tuberculosis and miliary tuberculosis. At the start of mechanical ventilation, PaO2/FIO2 was lower than 200 in all 9 patients, and 6 patients were probably ARDS. Steroids (methylprednisolone 250-1000 mg/day) were used in all 9 patients. Despite the use of mechanical ventilation and antituberculous therapy, 8 out of 9 patients died. Only one patient with miliary tuberculosis survived. The establishment of the therapy for acute respiratory failure is needed so as to improve prognosis of such cases. At the same time, the delay in consulting a doctor led to acute respiratory failure in most cases, so it is also important to encourage tuberculosis patients to visit a doctor as soon as possible, after the appearance of symptoms.     

骨髓结核的诊断和治疗

目的探讨骨髓结核的诊断和治疗。方法对１９９０～１９９７年２４１０例行骨髓活组织检查（活检）病例中诊断为骨髓结核的１１例的临床及病理资料作回顾性分析。结果高热、乏力、消瘦、贫血１１例，腹胀、腹痛４例，腹水３例，肝脾肿大５例。１１例均无骨关节的局部症状与体征。痰涂片抗酸杆菌均阴性，肝功能受损９例，检查的６例血沉均升高，为３０～１６８ｍｍ／１ｈ。胸片示血行播散型肺结核４例，７例胸片未见结核病变。病理检查１１例发现结核性肉芽肿，６例发现干酪样坏死，３例肉芽肿组织抗酸染色查到抗酸杆菌。１０例除有骨髓结核外，尚伴有一种或多种其他部位的结核病变。８例经联合抗结核化疗好转出院，３例死亡。结论骨髓结核是血行播散型结核在骨髓的病变，临床表现缺乏特异性。对长期高热待诊的病例，应考虑血行播散型结核的可能，除了寻找常见的肺部病变外，必要时可考虑行骨髓活检。骨髓结核一经诊断，应立即行联合抗结核化疗     

Tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS patients: a Malaysian experience

This retrospective study was conducted at the National Tuberculosis Center (NTBC) where 252 HIV-positive patients coexisting with tuberculosis (TB/HIV) were examined. We found that patients with pulmonary (PTB) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPT) had similar mean age. A higher sex ratio between male to female (10.7:1) was observed in patients with PTB. The other characteristics of patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis were not statistically different from each other. Cough (88%) and hemoptysis were the most common presenting symptoms, significantly related to patients with PTB. Lymphadenopathy (33.5%) was the most common sign in patients with EPT. The majority of patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis had CD4 cell counts of less than 200 cells/mm3 (range 0-1,179 with a median of 57 cells/mm3). Lung (89%) and miliary (55.6%) forms were the most frequent disease locations in patients with PTB and EPT, respectively. A higher percentage of patients with PTB (42%) were treated successfully with short-course (6 months) therapy, whereas in patients with EPT (43%) needed a longer period (9 months) for successful treatment. Of the patients who defaulted treatment, a higher proportion (87%) had PTB. No MDR-TB or relapse cases were found in this study.     

Clinical Characteristics and Etiologies of Miliary Nodules in the US: A Single-Center Study

BackgroundMiliary nodules have been typically described as a radiological manifestation of disseminated tuberculosis. However, miliary nodules are known to occur in a wide variety of conditions. The primary objective of the study was to identify clinical characteristics and etiologies of miliary nodules within our institution.MethodsUsing International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision codes, electronic medical records were used to retrospectively identify 53 patients who fulfilled criteria of miliary nodules over the last 10 years. Demographic and clinical data were extracted for all the patients in this cross-sectional study.ResultsThe diagnosis of tuberculosis was made in 15 (28.3%) patients, sarcoidosis in 12 (22.6%), silicosis in 7 (13.2%), extrathoracic malignancy in 5 (9.4%), and histoplasmosis in 4 (7.6%) patients. Four of 9 HIV patients had histoplasmosis. There was 1 case each of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, Mycobacterium-avium complex, Epstein-Barr virus pneumonia, cryptococcosis, aspergillosis, and primary lung cancer. Sputum was positive for acid fast bacilli in 4 cases (28%), and bronchoscopy had a 57% successful yield in miliary tuberculosis.ConclusionOur study is the largest single-center data review evaluating the etiology of miliary nodules within the United States; most of the data exist in case reports.     

Hepatic tuberculosis in absence of disseminated abdominal tuberculosis

Liver involvement in tuberculosis in absence of miliary tuberculosis is rare. This study was performed to analyse the spectrum and response to treatment of hepatic tuberculosis in the absence of miliary abdominal tuberculosis. Retrospective analysis of seven cases of hepatic tuberculosis without miliary abdominal tuberculosis who presented at the single tertiary referral center were analyzed. All patients presented with fever and hepatomegaly. Five of them had pain in upper abdomen and vomiting. HIV serology was positive in one patient. All patients had normocytic normochromic anaemia, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Mean 65). Mild elevation of liver enzymes and low albumin (Mean 2.4 gm%) with reversal of albumin globulin ratio (Mean 0.6) were seen in all. Two had jaundice. Prothrombin time was normal in all and lactate dehydrogenase values were elevated in all (Mean 794 IU/L). On ultrasonography, 2 had multiple hypodense lesion, 1 had coarse echotexture of liver, 1 had hyperechoic pattern and 3 had just hepatomegaly. Complete resolution of liver lesions on treatment with 4-drug anti-tuberculosis drug chemotherapy was seen. In conclusion, liver tuberculosis has protean manifestations with nonspecific alteration of liver function tests and is best diagnosed on liver biopsy. Overall response to therapy is satisfactory.     

Neuroradiologic manifestations of central nervous system tuberculosis in 122 adults

PURPOSE: Central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis remains a public health problem, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study is to characterize neuroradiologic findings of various intracranial lesions. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of 122 patients with CNS tuberculosis, without immunosuppression. CT scan was performed in all patients, whereas 17 patients had CT scan and MRI. RESULTS: We included 74 women (61%) and 48 men (39%) with a mean age of 37 years (17 -88y). 18 patients (14,7%) had a history of tuberculosis. Tuberculous meningitis was the most frequent clinical presentation (119 cases). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in cerebrospinal fluid of 18 patients (15%). Several types of lesions were identified : hydrocephalus (35 cases), tuberculomas (29 cases), leptomeningitis (26 cases), infarction (15 cases), abcesses (2 cases). Hydrocephalus was associated to other lesions in 26 cases. Communication hydrocephalus was present in 28 cases. Multiple tuberculomas were seen in 23 cases (80%), with miliary aspects in some cases. In 3 cases, tuberculoma was present without meningitis. Patients with leptomeningitis showed thick meningeal contrast enhancement involving all basal cisterns. Infarction resulted from arterial englobement or embols, and involved the area of middle cerebral artery (12 cases). CONCLUSION: Central nervous system tuberculosis has different appearences, mostly hydrocephalus and tuberculomas. MR with contrast is necessary for diagnosis and for follow-up during treatment.     

Clinicopathological study of miliary tuberculosis in patients with hematologic disease

Seven cases of miliary tuberculosis in patients with hematologic disease were analyzed clinicopathologically. Mean age of the patients was 65 years, and the hematologic diseases were CML, AML, ALL, MDS and malignant lymphoma. Diabetes mellitus was present as a complication in three patients. Miliary tuberculosis was found in 5 cases during the first admission to our hospital owing to hematologic problems. In 4 of 6 cases, fever had started more than two months before admission, consequently, the tuberculosis probably began about that time. After admission, chemotherapy was administered in 5 cases, and steroid in 6 cases for hematologic disease. The mean total quantity of steroid administered was 2,134 mg of prednisolone and average treatment duration was 69 days. The chest roentgenographic shadow was so atypical that miliary tuberculosis was suspected in only one case. The initial chest roentgenogram showed hilar and mediastinal lymph node swelling as well as the shadow of pulmonary tuberculosis in two cases. It was thought that the hilar and mediastinal lymph node swelling could be explained by primary complex, although the patients were of advanced age, or by "secondary complex" reported by Terplan, K in 1940. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made in two patients before their death by smear of aspirated fluid of cervical lymph node and by bone marrow cell block in one patients, and by pathological examination of mediastinal lymph node biopsy in the other patients. Tubercles were found from bone marrow cell block in 2 out of 5 patients and from bone marrow biopsy in 1 out of 3 patients, but the positive results were reported in 2 patients following death. Smears of sputum, gastric juice, urine, spinal fluid and pleural effusion were negative in all cases. One patient diagnosed as miliary tuberculosis also had pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. This case was treated with antituberculosis drugs for 20 days without improvement. Another patient diagnosed as miliary tuberculosis improved under treatment with antituberculosis drugs, but died of cytomegalovirus pneumonia. Autopsy in 5 cases revealed non-reactive miliary tuberculosis, and pulmonary hemorrhage probably due to DIC was present as a complication in two cases. In these cases, severe immunosuppression, which is a major precipitating factor of miliary tuberculosis, is thought to be induced by hematologic disease itself, chemotherapy, steroid or other underlying disease such as diabetes mellitus. Miliary tuberculosis in such compromised host is cryptic and progresses rapidly. Consequently, early diagnosis is very important. Retrospectively, the unexplained pyrexia was most important to suspect tuberculosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Phosphotyrosine and phosphoprotein phosphatase activity of alkaline phosphatase in mineralizing cartilage

We used embryonic skeletal cartilage known to have high levels of alkaline phosphatase activity to determine whether growing cartilage has phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity and phosphotyrosinyl histone phosphatase activity at physiologic pH. Embryonic chick pelvic cartilage and fetal pig scapular growth-plate cartilage were assayed using phosphotyrosine as substrate at pH 7.5 and the amount of tyrosine generated measured. Both cartilage models had Km for phosphotyrosine between 6 to 24 mus mol/L. Phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity correlated with alkaline phosphatase activity as assessed by (1) distribution of histologic staining for alkaline phosphatase within the cartilages, (2) hormonal stimulation of cartilage alkaline phosphatase activity in vitro, (3) comparison of alkaline phosphatase and phosphotyrosine phosphatase activities in the presence of known inhibitors (vanadate, levamisole, homoarginine, and zinc), and (4) assaying chick epiphyseal cartilage alkaline phosphatase purified to homogeneity for phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity. Areas of cartilage with elevated alkaline phosphatase activity also had raised phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity. Triiodothyronine, a known stimulator of cartilage alkaline phosphatase, increased chick cartilage alkaline phosphatase activity 88% and phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity 106%, and stimulated porcine growth-plate cartilage alkaline phosphatase activity 91% and phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity 145% after 3 days of in vitro incubation. Each of the inhibitors block alkaline phosphatase and phosphotyrosine phosphatase activities. The purified alkaline phosphatase had a Km for phosphotyrosine of 18 mus mol/L and Vmax of 5700 nmol tyrosine/mg protein/h, which is well over 1000-fold higher than the phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity found in the above preparations of pelvic and scapular cartilage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

抗结核药物对慢性肝病肺结核患者肝功能的影响

目的 探讨2HRZE/4HR方案对患不同慢性肝病的肺结核患者肝功能的影响.方法 回顾性分析2004年8月～2005年8月住院期间收治的1475例初治肺结核患者在化疗过程中发生肝功能损害的临床资料.B超检查提示同时患有慢性肝病者(脂肪肝、肝硬化等)为观察组(136例);未患肝病者为对照组(1339例).结果 观察组有57例(41.9%)出现了肝损害,其中脂肪肝12例(60.0%),肝硬化7例(87.5%),慢性酒精性肝病6例(35.7%),慢性乙型肝炎9例(45.0%),慢性血吸虫病肝8例(50.0%),肝血管瘤或肝囊肿10例(26.3%),肝内胆管结石5例(25.0%).对照组出现肝损害138例(10.3%).观察组肝功能损害比对照组严重.观察组经护肝治疗肝功能的恢复也比对照组慢.结论 2HRZE/4HR方案对各类慢性肝病的肺结核患者肝功能损害较大,发生较早,恢复较慢.应尽量选用对肝脏损害小的药物,并密切监测肝功能,同时给予有效的护肝治疗.