The role of targeted prophylactic antimicrobial therapy before transrectal ultrasonography‐guided prostate biopsy in reducing infection rates: a systematic review

To compare the incidence of infective complications after transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)‐guided biopsy with either empirical fluoroquinolone or culture‐based targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis, and the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance (FQ‐R) in men undergoing prostate biopsy. A systematic review of the literature was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included studies of patients undergoing TRUS‐guided biopsy that compared infective outcomes of those who received targeted antimicrobial therapy based on the results of pre‐procedural rectal swab cultures, with those receiving empiric fluoroquinolone antimicrobial prophylaxis. The prevalence of FQ‐R was recorded as a secondary outcome measure. Studies with no control group were excluded. From 125 studies screened, nine studies (4 571 patients) met the inclusion criteria. All studies were of cohort design, and included a combination of retrospective and prospective data. Six studies included were undertaken in North America. The remaining studies were undertaken in Spain, Turkey and Columbia. Within these studies, 2 484 (54.3%) patients received empirical fluoroquinolone prophylaxis, whilst 2 087 (45.7%) patients had pre‐biopsy rectal swabs and targeted antibiotics. The mean FQ‐R was 22.8%. Post‐biopsy infection and sepsis rates were significantly higher in groups given empirical prophylaxis (4.55% and 2.21%) compared with groups receiving targeted antibiotics (0.72% and 0.48%). Based on these results 27 men would need to receive targeted antibiotics to prevent one infective complication. Our systematic review suggests that targeted prophylactic antimicrobial therapy before TRUS‐guided prostate biopsy is associated with lower rates of sepsis. We therefore recommend changing current pathways to adopt this measure.     

Comparison of characteristics of patients and treatment outcome for pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection and pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteria are usually started on conventional antituberculous triple therapy once acid fast bacilli are detected, before the exact type of mycobacteria has been identified. The ability to identify the characteristics of patients with tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacteria may be helpful in identifying before treatment those patients more likely to have non-tuberculous infection. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of all patients in one unit in whom non-tuberculous mycobacteria were identified in sputum or bronchoalveolar washings in the period 1987-93. The pattern of drug resistance was determined from laboratory records, and all case notes and chest radiographs were reviewed to identify the underlying disease and treatment outcome. All cases were compared with a matched control group of patients with culture positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis diagnosed during the same period. RESULTS: In the period studied there were 70 non-tuberculous and 221 tuberculous isolates. The non-tuberculous bacteria were typed as follows: M xenopi 23 (33%), M kansasii 19 (27%), M fortuitum 14 (20%), others 14 (20%). Of those with non-tuberculous mycobacteria, 83% were white subjects compared with 47% for tuberculosis. Patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteria were older than those with tuberculosis. Pre-existing lung disease or AIDS was present in 81% of patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteria and in 17% of patients with tuberculosis. Sensitivity to rifampicin and ethambutol was seen in 95% of M xenopi and 96% of M kansasii isolates. Relapse occurred in 60% of cases infected with M xenopi, 20% infected with M kansasii, and in 7% of cases with tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: In the population studied non-tuberculous mycobacteria occurred most frequently in elderly white subjects with pre-existing lung disease. If mycobacteria are detected in this group, consideration should be given to the possibility of non-tuberculous infection before embarking on treatment. A combination containing rifampicin and ethambutol is effective. The relapse rate for infection with M xenopi is high and prospective studies of the effect of the above combination of antituberculosis drugs are needed.     

Tuberculosis in orthotopic liver transplant patients: increased toxicity of recommended agents; cure of disseminated infection with nonconventional regimens

BACKGROUND: Because increased hepatotoxicity was observed with first line antituberculous agents using four drug standard induction therapy in orthotopic liver transplant patients, we evaluated the efficacy and adverse effects of a novel continuation regimen for the treatment of tuberculosis in orthotopic liver transplant patients at a University Hospital in New York City. METHODS: The hospital records of all patients who were referred to Mount Sinai Hospital (n=924) and who underwent orthotopic liver transplant between September 1988 and May 1998 were reviewed. Data were collected from patient records. Nine orthotopic liver transplant patients (0.97%) developed tuberculosis over a 9.5-year period. A total of seven of nine (78%) patients had disseminated tuberculosis including two patients with meningitis. All mycobacterial isolates were sensitive to isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. Standard induction therapy with three or four drugs was given for 2 months (mean). Hepatotoxicity related to the standard induction regimen developed in five of six (83.3%) patients. Liver biopsy during induction therapy revealed drug induced hepatitis in five of six (88%) patients and rejection in three of six (50%) patients. Continuation regimens consisted mainly of ethambutol and ofloxacin; mean length of therapy 9 months. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 33.3% (three of nine patients) over a 4.5-year follow-up period. Tuberculosis associated mortality was 22.2%. One patient died before therapy, another died with concomitant bacterial sepsis during induction therapy. Six of seven patients are alive and disease free. One patient died of recurrent hepatitis C and graft failure without evidence of tuberculous infection at death. Another patient retransplanted for chronic rejection, remains disease free at 1 year. The mean follow-up for six patients that completed treatment was 3.75 years (2.5-5.3 years). Six patients are free of tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience reveals that orthotopic liver transplant patients have poor tolerance for conventional therapy due to inherent toxicity of these agents and their concomitant bouts of organ rejection. Our nonconventional therapy yielded remarkably good results in that six patients, all with disseminated disease, were well after mean 3.5 years of follow-up. Consideration should be given to this novel follow-up therapy in patients without cavitary pulmonary disease who develop hepatotoxicity during induction.     

Remission of hypercalciuria in patients with tuberculosis after treatment

The hypercalciuria evolution and other bone metabolism parameters were evaluated in patients with tuberculosis after treatment. Twenty-two patients with tuberculosis and 54 normal subjects were studied; they consumed an average diet (calcium intake 1000 mg/day). Ten of these patients and nine normal subjects were also studied after a low calcium diet (400 mg/calcium/day) and after a load of oral calcium of 1000 mg (calcium absorption test). The study with an average diet was performed after 1 week (basal) and 3, 6, and 12 months after the antituberculosis treatment was started; the calcium absorption test was carried out 2 weeks, 3 and 12 months after the treatment was started. On an average diet, patients with tuberculosis presented, at baseline state, lower calcidiol levels than normal controls. Serum calcitriol levels at baseline were higher than at 6 and 12 months. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in patients with tuberculosis were lower than in normal controls at baseline, but these levels were similar to controls at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. During the calcium absorption test and under basal conditions, patients with tuberculosis showed lower serum PTH and calcidiol levels in all the dietetic situations than in normal controls. However, serum calcitriol levels were higher than in controls after the restrictive diet. After 3 months of treatment, urinary calcium excretion was normal in patients with tuberculosis during the average and low diets, but higher than in control group after calcium load. After 12 months of treatment, all the biochemical parameters of the patients with tuberculosis were similar to the control group under all the dietetic situations. These data indicate that antituberculous treatment, although it may contribute to the production of some alteration in the calcium and vitamin D metabolism, basically favors the correction of disturbances associated with tuberculosis.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征合并结核病患者对结核分枝杆菌二线药物耐药特征分析

目的了解获得性免疫缺陷综合征（AIDS）合并结核病（TB）患者感染结核分枝杆菌二线药物耐药特点。 方法选取2010年4月至2012年10月于北京大学地坛医院教学医院住院的艾滋病合并结核病患者标本,由中国疾病预防控制中心培养鉴定。进行4种一线药物（异烟肼、利福平、链霉素、乙胺丁醇）和4种二线药物（卷曲霉素、卡那霉素、氧氟沙星、乙硫异烟胺）药敏试验监测,并对所有菌株在gyrA、gyrB、rrs、tlya、eis和ethA基因位点进行DNA测序以检测基因多态性。 结果经培养鉴定共得到31株结核分枝杆菌,其中12株耐卷曲霉素,8株耐氧氟沙星,4株耐卡那霉素,5株耐乙硫异烟胺,耐药率分别为38.71%、25.81%、12.90%和16.13%。7株菌为耐多药菌株,1株菌为广泛耐药菌株,耐药率分别为22.58%和3.23%。耐药菌株最常见的突变位点是rrs₁₄₀₁,gyrA₉₄和gyrA₉₀。一线敏感菌株中氧氟沙星的耐药率显著低于一线耐药菌株（P = 0.012）。性别与结核分枝杆菌耐药差异无统计学意义（P = 0.533）,年龄> 40岁组的氧氟沙星耐药率低于其余两组（P = 0.043）。结核初治组与复治组患者二线耐药率、CD4水平差异无统计学意义（P = 0.333、0.307）。 结论AIDS合并TB患者存在二线抗结核药物原发耐药,其中卷曲霉素耐药率最高,其次是氧氟沙星。     

Cementless total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of advanced tuberculosis of the hip

The question of whether a total hip arthroplasty (THA) should be attempted in a patient with a current or previous tuberculosis infection continues to cause controversy. The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical result of cementless THA for the treatment of advanced tuberculosis of the hip. Eight patients with advanced tuberculosis of the hip treated by cementless THA were retrospectively analyzed. None of the patients had draining sinus preoperatively. For patients with a confirmed preoperative diagnosis of tuberculosis and elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, antituberculous medication was prescribed for at least 2 weeks preoperatively. Inflamed soft tissues and destroyed bones were completely curetted out intraoperatively. All 8 patients received 1-stage cementless THA after thorough debridement. Antituberculous medications were prescribed for all patients for the first 6 months postoperatively. No patient experienced wound-healing complications. Mean Harris Hip Score was 35 (range, 30-43) preoperatively and 91 (range, 87-95) at last follow-up. At an average 46-month follow-up (range, 34-59 months), no reactivation of tuberculosis was detected. All 8 patients revealed stability by bone ingrowth on both the socket and femoral stem. Cementless THA is a safe and effective procedure for advanced tuberculosis of the hip. With thorough debridement followed by a complete course of antituberculous chemotherapy, active tuberculous infection should not be considered a contraindication for THA.     

A randomized prospective comparison of oral versus intraperitoneal ofloxacin as the primary treatment of CAPD peritonitis

Summary: Oral ofloxacin has been successfully used in our centres for the primary treatment of peritonitis complicating continous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). In view of the progressive rise in the resistance rate to ofloxacin among peritoneal bacterial isolates, a study was conducted to determine if oral ofloxacin remains a viable first line treatment for CAPD peritonitis in our centres and if the result can be improved by changing from an oral to an intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. In patients on three 2 L daily CAPD exchanges, ofloxacin given at the i.p. dosage of 200 mg loading followed by 25 mg/L of peritoneal dialysate achieved overnight trough peritoneal levels which are at least four times the minimal 90% inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of most bacterial pathogens without significant accumulation in the systemic circulation. This i.p. dosage was therefore chosen for the clinical study and the result was compared to that using ofloxacin given in the oral dosage of 400 mg loading followed by 300 mg once daily as maintenance. of all the recruited episodes, 35 were eligible for analysis. the overall primary cure rate including primary failures and relapses was 55.6% (10/18) in the oral treatment group and 70.6% (12/17) in the i.p. treatment group. the corresponding figures for gram positive bacterial (g +) infections were 36.4% and 50%, for gram negative bacterial (g -) infections were 66.7 and 80% and for culture negative infections were 75 and 80%. In culture positive cases, all treatment failures were due to resistant infections which were observed in 42.3% of all bacterial isolates, 47.1% of g + isolates and 33.3% of g - isolates. Due to the high background level of bacterial resistance among our CAPD population, ofloxacin monotherapy given either by the oral or the i.p. route can no longer be recommended for the primary treatment of CAPD peritonitis.     

人类免疫缺陷病毒/结核分枝杆菌双重感染者结核分枝杆菌分离株一线药物耐药特征

目的分析人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染者的结核分枝杆菌(MTB)分离株对一线抗结核分枝杆菌药物的耐药特征,为临床治疗HIV/MTB双重感染提供参考依据。 方法选取上海市公共卫生临床中心2012年1月至2016年12月收治的HIV合并MTB感染者154例(实验组)和单纯结核分枝杆菌感染者357例(对照组),进行异烟肼(INH)、利福平(RFP)、乙胺丁醇(EMB)、链霉素(STR)4种一线药物耐药性检测,比较两组患者MTB的总耐药率和总耐多药率,初始及获得性耐药、耐多药率。 结果HIV/MTB双重感染组患者总耐药率(44.2%,68/154)、初始耐药率(42.2%,19/45)、初始耐多药率(13.3%,6/45)、STR总耐药率(31.8%,49/154)和初始耐药率(28.9%,13/45)显著高于单纯结核分枝杆菌感染组(33.9%、25.0%、3.8%、22.7%、11.4%)(P均<0.05)。INH、RFP、EMB耐药率与单纯结核分枝杆菌感染组差异无统计学意义(P均> 0.05)。单纯结核分枝杆菌感染组患者获得性耐药率(39.1%,88/225)和获得性耐多药率(19.1%,43/225)分别高于初始耐药率(25.0%,33/132)和初始耐多药率(3.8%,5/132)(χ²= 16.785、P < 0.001;χ²= 7.393、P = 0.004)。 结论HIV/MTB感染者分离的MTB对一线抗结核分枝杆菌药物耐药率和耐多药率高,其中STR耐药最为严重,提示临床治疗应重视HIV/MTB双重感染者的结核耐药问题,及时采取预防措施和制定个体化治疗方案。     

Low incidence of rifampicin-resistant tubercle bacilli.

In a six-year survey 10(0.15%) of 6849 patients with European names and 31 (1.0%) of 3079 patients with non-European names yielded cultures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that were resistant to rifampicin. Only two of each group had organisms resistant to rifampicin alone. Resistance to one or more other antituberculous drugs was found in eight of the European and 29 of the non-European group. Two patients in each group were known to have received treatment for the first time in the United Kingdom; 17 of the non-Europeans were known to have been treated abroad; precise information was not available for the other 12. The overall six-year incidence of patients with rifampicin-resistant M tuberculosis was only 0.41%. The very low incidence among Europeans is probably the result of stricter regimens than are possible in some other areas.     

The use of immunomodulators as an adjunct to antituberculous chemotherapy in non-responsive patients with osteo-articular tuberculosis

We studied 51 patients with osteo-articular tuberculosis who were divided into two groups. Group I comprised 31 newly-diagnosed patients who were given first-line antituberculous treatment consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. Group II (non-responders) consisted of 20 patients with a history of clinical non-responsiveness to supervised uninterrupted antituberculous treatment for a minimum of three months or a recurrence of a previous lesion which on clinical observation had healed. No patient in either group was HIV-positive. Group II were treated with an immunomodulation regime of intradermal BCG, oral levamisole and intramuscular diphtheria and tetanus vaccines as an adjunct for eight weeks in addition to antituberculous treatment. We gave antituberculous treatment for a total of 12 to 18 months in both groups and they were followed up for a mean of 30.2 months (24 to 49). A series of 20 healthy blood donors served as a control group.Twenty-nine (93.6%) of the 31 patients in group I and 14 of the 20 (70%) in group II had a clinicoradiological healing response to treatment by five months.The CD4 cell count in both groups was depressed at the time of enrolment, with a greater degree of depression in the group-II patients (686 cells/mm(3) (sd 261) and 545 cells/mm(3) (sd 137), respectively; p < 0.05). After treatment for three months both groups showed significant elevation of the CD4 cell count, reaching a level comparable with the control group. However, the mean CD4 cell count of group II (945 cells/mm(3) (sd 343)) still remained lower than that of group I (1071 cells/mm(3) (sd 290)), but the difference was not significant. Our study has shown encouraging results after immunomodulation and antituberculous treatment in non-responsive patients. The pattern of change in the CD4 cell count in response to treatment may be a reliable clinical indicator.     

Legionnaires'' disease: a review of 79 community acquired cases in Nottingham.

Seventy nine cases of sporadic, community acquired legionnaires' disease have been reviewed. Annual and seasonal variation in incidence was noted. The mean age of the patients was 53 years and 50 (63%) were male. Pre-existing chronic diseases were present in only 23 (29%), including two patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Common symptoms included unproductive cough, dyspnoea, chest pain, headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Respiratory symptoms were absent, however, in 17 (22%). Localising chest signs were present in 74 (95%) cases. Frequent laboratory findings included lymphopenia, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hyponatraemia, raised urea and creatinine concentrations, abnormal liver function, hypophosphataemia, hypoalbuminaemia, proteinuria, and haematuria. Thirteen patients died (16%), including nine of 20 who received assisted ventilation. The mortality rate in patients treated with erythromycin (11%) was lower than in those who received other antibiotics (23%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Of the features noted on admission, only a high plasma urea concentration was significantly associated with death. Sporadic community acquired legionnaires' disease is a not uncommon disorder, which with appropriate treatment has a prognosis similar to that of other forms of community acquired pneumonia.     

Tuberculosis in chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: The incidence of tuberculosis is high in chronic kidney disease (CKD) which needs a high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and management for gratifying outcome. MATERIALS: The clinical, laboratory profile, management and outcome of tuberculosis in 36 patients with chronic kidney disease between 2000 and 2005 constitute the material of this study. RESULTS: During this study period, over 900 chronic renal failure patients were evaluated in our unit and 36 of them were found to have tuberculosis, the incidence being 4%. In majority (69.4%), tuberculosis was observed in association with CKD Stage V. Age range was 25 - 77 years, male : female ratio was 33 : 3. Fever, malaise and weight loss were the commonest symptoms observed at presentation. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (23 patients, 63.8%) predominated over pulmonary tuberculosis (10 patients, 36.1%). Tuberculin skin test was negative in 23 patients (63.8%). The diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed by tissue or specimen examination in 17 patients (47.2%) and in the rest it was empirical basing on clinical picture, pleural fluid analysis and radiological tests. All the patients were planned for a minimum period of 9-month antituberculous therapy (ATT). Of them, 17 patients (47.2%) were cured from tuberculosis and did not relapse, 9 patients (25%) died during treatment and 10 patients were lost for follow-up. Two patients were managed for anti-tuberculous therapy-related side effects: hepatotoxicity and psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a 4% incidence of tuberculosis in CKD. Extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis predominated over pulmonary form. Fever and malaise were important clues for suspicion of tuberculosis. Tuberculin skin test was negative in the majority. Diagnostic confirmation was possible in 47.2% of patients and in the rest it was based on clinical suspicion, pleural fluid analysis and radiological findings. Cure from tuberculosis was observed in 47.2% of patients with antituberculous therapy.     

胸壁结核的外科治疗

目的 探讨胸壁结核的临床特点及疗效。方法 回顾性分析28例胸壁结核患者的临床资料。所有患者均行病灶清除术治疗，术后抗结核治疗9—12个月。结果 所有患者均获得治愈，随访1-2年无复发。结论 胸壁结核是以胸壁冷脓肿为主要特点，其主要治疗方法是手术治疗结合术前、术后抗结核药物治疗，而手术成功的关键是彻底清除病灶，消灭死腔。     

肾结核临床诊治的新特点

目的：探讨肾结核诊治的新特点,提高肾结核尤其是不典型肾结核的临床治疗水平。方法：对经病原学或病理学证实的87例肾结核患者的诊断、鉴别诊断及治疗进行回顾性研究。结果;综合运用尿常规、肾脏功能测定、红细胞沉降率、尿找抗酸杆菌、尿荧光TB检测、尿PCR-TB;器械检查包括膀胱镜、B超、静脉肾盂造影（IVU）、CT等;主要鉴别肾脓肿、肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄、肾肿瘤、输尿管结石等疾病,获得确诊。保守治疗;单纯抗结核药物治疗16例,抗痨及血液透析1例;手术治疗;患肾切除54例（62.5％）,（孤肾）肾造瘘3例,肠道代膀胱术4例（4.6％）。结论：近年来肾结核呈现非典型化,应强调对非典型肾结核的诊断和鉴别诊断;静脉肾盂造影（IVU）对肾结核的诊断缺乏特异性,应重视CT在肾结核早期诊断中的作用。治疗上仍以肾切除为主。     

Impact of initial antibiotic therapy on the course of resistance to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides in Gram-negative bacilli isolated from intensive care patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the initial antibiotic therapy associating a betalactam antibiotic (BLA) with either an aminoglycoside (AG) or a fluoroquinolone (FQ) on the development of resistance of gram-negative bacilli in an intensive care unit. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective bacteriological surveillance study. PATIENTS: The study included 51 patients experiencing a second infection with gram-negative organisms, eight days or more after a first infection. METHOD: The incidences of bacterial infection and the antimicrobial susceptibility have been assessed. RESULTS: The first-choice therapy was based either on BLA + AG (51%), or on BLA + FQ in the others (46%). The causative organisms were Enterobacteriaceae (57%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (31%). The second infection occurred 23 +/- 11 days after the first. The main organisms involved were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (51%) and Enterobacteriaceae (41%). In the group treated initially with an AG, only the antibiotic susceptibility for amikacin decreased significantly (72 vs 36%, p < 0.05). The latter was the most prescribed antibiotic (56%). In the FQ group, there was a significant decrease of susceptibility for ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin, netilmicin and tobramycin. The decrease was not significant for gentamicin and amikacin. CONCLUSIONS: In intensive care patients, the use of FQ in association with a BLA increases the resistance to AG and FQ. Therefore it seems preferable to administer an AG in association with a BLA. Amikacine should only be prescribed when justified for a given case.     

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Transrectal Biopsy of the Prostate: A Prospective Randomized Study of the Prophylactic Use of Single Dose Oral Fluoroquinolone Versus Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole

We investigated the efficacy of prophylactic use of single dose oral ofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole regimens for transrectal prostate biopsy in 110 men. In the ofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and control groups, urinary infection was found in 2 (4.76%), 3 (6.66%) and 6 (26.08%) patients, respectively. Both of these antibiotic regimens produced a statistically significant reduction in urinary infection (p<0.02, p<0.05).Our study indicates that single dose fluoroquinolone or trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole prophylaxis seems to be effective, practical and economical.     

The ligase chain reaction as a primary screening tool for the detection of culture positive tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: The ligase chain reaction Mycobacterium tuberculosis assay uses ligase chain reaction technology to detect tuberculous DNA sequences in clinical specimens. A study was undertaken to determine its sensitivity and specificity as a primary screening tool for the detection of culture positive tuberculosis. METHODS: The study was conducted on 2420 clinical specimens (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, pleural fluid, urine) submitted for primary screening for Mycobacterium tuberculosis to a regional medical microbiology laboratory. Specimens were tested in parallel with smear, ligase chain reaction, and culture. RESULTS: Thirty nine patients had specimens testing positive by the ligase chain reaction assay. Thirty two patients had newly diagnosed tuberculosis, one had a tuberculosis relapse, three had tuberculosis (on antituberculous therapy when tested), and three had healed tuberculosis. In the newly diagnosed group specimens were smear positive in 21 cases (66%), ligase chain reaction positive in 30 cases (94%), and culture positive in 32 cases (100%). Using a positive culture to diagnose active tuberculosis, the ligase chain reaction assay had a sensitivity of 93.9%, a specificity of 99.8%, a positive predictive value of 83.8%, and a negative predictive value of 99.9%. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the largest clinical trial to date to report the efficacy of the ligase chain reaction as a primary screening tool to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The authors conclude that ligase chain reaction is a useful primary screening test for tuberculosis, offering speed and discrimination in the early stages of diagnosis and complementing traditional smear and culture techniques.     

Resectional surgery combined with chemotherapy remains the treatment of choice for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis remains a significant health problem. The best available treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is the combination of pulmonary resection and antituberculous chemotherapy. We herein report the results of pulmonary resection combined with chemotherapy for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at our institution during the years 2000 through 2002. METHODS: Between 1983 and 2002, 87 patients underwent 95 pulmonary resections for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Of these, the 30 (34%) patients operated on from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2002, are reviewed in the present study. All patients were maintained on multidrug regimens preoperatively and postoperatively. Indications for surgical intervention included persistently positive sputum and a high risk of relapse. Thirty-three pulmonary resections were performed, consisting of pneumonectomy (n = 12), lobectomy (n = 17), and segmentectomy (n = 4). The bronchial stump was reinforced with a latissimus dorsi muscle flap in 29 resections. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. Bronchopleural fistulas occurred in 2 patients. Five patients had a space problem. All patients attained sputum-negative status after the operation. Relapse occurred in 3 patients: 2 had a relapse at the bronchial stump, and the remaining patient had a relapse in the postlobectomy space. One late death occurred. Of the 29 survivors, 27 (93%) were free from disease, with a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 8-47 months). CONCLUSIONS: An increasing number of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis are requiring resectional surgery in the 21st century. Pulmonary resection combined with chemotherapy achieves high cure rates with acceptable morbidity and remains the treatment of choice for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.     

Clinical relevance of single administration of prophylactic antimicrobial agents against febrile events after removal of ureteral stents for patients with urinary diversion or reconstruction

Objective: To assess the efficacy of antimicrobial prophylaxis when removing ureteral stents after urinary diversion or reconstruction and to establish the most appropriate prophylactic protocol to prevent febrile events. Methods: We retrospectively investigated the incidence of febrile events in the two studies. Study 1 consisted of 39 patients who received antimicrobial prophylaxis and 31 who did not. Study 2 included 48 patients who were given oral fluoroquinolone (FQ) and 27 who had intramuscular injection of an aminoglycoside (AG). Results: In study 1, the incidence of febrile events was significantly lower in patients receiving antimicrobial prophylaxis (26.0%) than in those not receiving it (51.6%) (P = 0.025, χ² test). In study 2 there was a 13% incidence of febrile events, which was much lower than the incidence found in study 1. The incidence of these events was similar between the two study groups, being 13% for those receiving FQ and 15% for those receiving AG. Conclusions: Prophylactic administration of antimicrobials reduces the incidence of febrile events after removal of ureteral stents. Both FQ and the AG are equally effective in this setting.     

Adrenal function in patients with active tuberculosis.

Although tuberculosis is a recognised cause of adrenal insufficiency, little is known about adrenal function in patients with active tuberculosis. Ninety Melanesian adults with active tuberculosis (30 pulmonary, 30 miliary, 30 extrapulmonary) had adrenal function assessed prospectively before and three to four weeks after starting antituberculous chemotherapy. Basal serum cortisol concentrations were normal in 55 (61%) and raised in 35 (39%) of the subjects. No patient had a low basal cortisol concentration. After Synacthen stimulation, cortisol responses were normal in 81 (92%) of the patients and subnormal in seven (8%). After antituberculous chemotherapy the response to Synacthen stimulation was normal in all but one patient. It is concluded that adrenal dysfunction is an uncommon problem in patients with active tuberculosis, and that, contrary to recent reports, antituberculous chemotherapy regimens that include rifampicin do not have an adverse effect on adrenal function.