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.     

The changing pattern of miliary tuberculosis

Over the past 20 years there has been a striking change in the clinical pattern of miliary tuberculosis, which is now more common in adults than in children. This is shown by a comparative study of the necropsy records of such cases seen in the same group of hospitals in the years 1946-9 and 1966-9. In the early period miliary tuberculosis occurred in 1·7% of necropsies, 54% of patients being under 20 years of age and suffering from a classical form of miliary tuberculosis. By 1966-9 the incidence had fallen to 0·47% of necropsies, but now all the patients seen were over 30 years of age, the majority having a `cryptic'' clinical presentation. The percentage of patients diagnosed during life fell dramatically between the two periods and in the latter period most cases were only diagnosed at necropsy. While the incidence of childhood miliary tuberculosis has been reduced, it is now important to consider this diagnosis in adults with a variety of non-specific symptoms.     

Frequency of urogenital tuberculosis in an unselected autopsy series from 1928 to 1949 and 1976 to 1989.

The evaluation of a total of 12,211 autopsy protocols prior to the introduction of chemotherapy (1928-1949) and in the recent years (1976-1989) had the following results: the frequency of renal tuberculosis has dropped from 2.0 to 0.6% of all autopsies in men and from 1.7 to 0.9% in women. While the frequency of miliary tuberculosis infections in general has decreased to about one fourth (from 2.7 to 0.6% of all autopsies), renal involvement in patients with miliary tuberculosis has rather increased (from 35.4 to 52.2 for men and from 37.5 to 68.0% for women). The frequency of miliary tuberculosis of the kidneys was two times higher in girls than in boys (3.8% of girls and 1.8% of boys). Tuberculosis of the renal pelvis, ureter or urinary bladder secondary to a renal tuberculous infection has decreased from 65 to 4.3% of all tuberculous infections with renal involvement in males and from 25 to 0% in females. In the second period, the frequency of genital tuberculosis has in all dropped to about one tenth.     

Lymphocyte and lymphocyte subset numbers in blood and in bronchoalveolar lavage and pleural fluid in various forms of human pulmonary tuberculosis at presentation and during recovery.

BACKGROUND: Lymphocytes have a central role in human defences against mycobacteria. A study was designed to assess the relation between lymphocyte responses and clinical pattern of disease, nutrition and recovery during treatment in patients with tuberculosis. METHODS: Lymphocyte numbers and subsets (on the basis of CD3, CD4, and CD8 monoclonal antibodies) were measured in peripheral blood and, where appropriate, bronchoalveolar lavage or pleural fluid of patients with different forms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Eleven had localised pulmonary tuberculosis, 18 miliary tuberculosis and seven a tuberculous pleural effusion. RESULTS: CD4 lymphocytes were found in greatly increased numbers in pleural fluid and were relatively depleted in the blood. Lymphocyte numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid varied widely in localised pulmonary and miliary tuberculosis but were highest in lavage fluid from patients with miliary tuberculosis. This was due to an increase in CD8 lymphocytes, which were also increased in the blood. Lymphocyte numbers bore no relation to nutrition, symptom duration, or radiographic profusion scores. In miliary tuberculosis the time taken for the chest radiograph to clear (mean (SD) 17.6 (7.8) weeks) correlated with lymphocyte numbers in lavage fluid, especially CD8 cells (r = 0.74), but not with the patients' age or nutrition. After 8 weeks' treatment, total and CD4 lymphocyte numbers in lavage fluid showed a substantial increase. CONCLUSION: The association of CD8 cells with delayed recovery is compatible with suppression of the antimycobacterial action of macrophages. The switch to predominance of CD4 cells in lavage fluid during successful treatment supports the view that they may have a role in eliminating mycobacteria.     

Rapid diagnosis of sputum negative miliary tuberculosis using the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope.

Acid fast bacilli are seldom identified by direct staining of sputum smears in patients with miliary tuberculosis, so that delays in diagnosis are common. We report 41 patients with miliary tuberculosis who had negative sputum smears and who underwent bronchoscopy, bronchial brushing, and transbronchial biopsy. In two patients the procedure was repeated. A definitive diagnosis was obtained from bronchoscopy in 34 patients (83%). Bronchial brushings yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 24 of 42 bronchoscopies (57%), 13 from direct smear and a further 11 from culture only. Transbronchial biopsies were diagnostic in 30 of 41 procedures (73%), 28 from histological appearances, one from direct smear of the biopsy specimen, and another exclusively from culture. A rapid diagnosis was established in most patients (27/34), either by direct smear of brushings or biopsy specimens only (5), by histological examination only (14), or by both direct smear of brushings and biopsy specimens only (5), by histological examination only (14), or by both direct smear of brushings and histological examination (8). The diagnosis was confirmed later in a further seven patients by culture of brushings or specimens; in five of these non-caseating granulomas were initially found by histological examination. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy is a valuable technique for rapidly establishing the diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis.     

Urinary tuberculosis: a review of 44 cases treated since 1963.

We are reporting on a decade of experinece with cases of renal tuberculosis treated at a large tuberculosis hospital. Most patients were men less than 50 years old. The most frequent symptoms were dysuria, back or flank pain, nocturia and hematuria. Physical examinations were generally normal and hypertension was not seen. Most patients had acid urinary pH, pyuria and/or hematuria. Excretory urograms were abnormal in 86 per cent of the cases, the most common finding being preserved function but calicectasis or abscess. Most patients had abnormal chest x-rays and nearly half of them had coexisting, active pulmonary or miliary tuberculosis. Tuberculin tests were positive in 85 per cent of the cases. In our experience urinary tuberculosis was almost always responsive to multi-drug chemotherapy, even in patients with a non-functioning, tuberculous kidney. An asymptomatic, non-functioning kidney need not be removed, provided documentation of urine culture conversion is obtained and a prolonged period of multi-drug chemotherapy is completed.     

Tuberculosis of the Gallbladder

Analysis of 5 patients with gallbladder tuberculosis who had open cholecystectomy and review of literature have shown that, although still rare it presents as a part of systemic miliary tuberculosis, abdominal tuberculosis, isolated gallbladder tuberculosis and as acalculus cholecystitis in anergic patients. There are no pathognomonic signs, the diagnosis depends on suspicion of tuberculosis, peroperative findings and histological examination.     

Tuberculosis of the hip in children: A retrospective analysis of 27 patients

Background:

We retrospectively evaluated the pretreatment radiological presentation and the clinicoradiological outcome at the completion of 1 year chemotherapy in osteoarticular tuberculosis of hip in children to prognosticate correlation between them.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and plain radiographic findings in 27 patients with an age of 12 years or younger in whom hip tuberculosis was diagnosed and treated between 2006 and 2010. The diagnosis was based on histopathology in 14 and clinicoradiological basis in 13 patients. The pre and post treatment plain radiographs were evaluated according to Shanmugasundaram radiological classification and our observations regarding unclassified cases which were not fit in this classification were suggested. The functional outcome at the completion of chemotherapy was assessed using modified Moon''s criteria.

Results:

The male female ratio was 11:16. The left hip was involved more frequently than the right (17:10). The average age was 7.37 years (range, 2-12 years). In the pretreatment radiographs, 9 hips were normal, 6 traveling, 4 dislocating, 1 protrusio acetabuli, 3 atrophic and 4 unclassified types (3 triradiate; 1 pseudarthrosis coxae). There were no Perthes and mortar pestle at the initial presentation. Posttreatment, the types changed to 9 normal, 3 Perthes, 1 protrusio acetabuli, 1 atrophic, 4 mortar pestle and 9 unclassified types (3 triradiate, 3 pseudarthrosis coxae and 3 ankylosed). There were 37% excellent, 18.5% good, 26% fair and 18.5% poor results. The prognosis was best with initial “triradiate” and normal types and worst with posttreatment atrophic and “ankylosed” types.

Conclusions:

The Shanmugasundaram radiological types accurately predict prognosis only in normal types and “triradiate” pattern. The functional outcome is independent of radiological morphology of the hip in smaller children.     

SDRA et pancytopénie au cours d''une miliaire tuberculeuse chez un patient VIH positif

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rare but severe complication of miliary tuberculosis, which may occur even under antituberculous therapy. Even with adequate treatment, its mortality is close to 70%, and if associated with pancytopenia, it may reach 100%. Underlying diseases, delayed diagnosis and additional complications are factors of poor prognosis. We report a case of a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who experienced pancytopenia and ARDS associated with miliary tuberculosis. The patient recovered under antituberculous chemotherapy.     

Miliary tuberculosis following homograft valve replacement.

Postoperative septicaemia with infective endocarditis is a recognized complication of open-heart surgery, in particular homograft or prosthetic replacement of cardiac valves. Several infective organisms, both bacterial and fungal, have been incriminated but infection due to tubercle bacilli has not, to our knowledge, been reported. The clinicopathological features of this condition are discussed. During a five-year period, over 800 homograft replacements in the aortic and/or mitral positions have been performed at Harefield Hospital. Seven cases of miliary tuberculosis following homograft valve replacement are descrbied here. In three, there was a past history suggestive of tuberculosis infections but necropsy failed to reveal any caseous or other tuberculous lesion apart from recent miliary tuberculosis. Vegetations on the homograft valves contained microcolonies of acid-fast bacilli in most cases. Tubercle bacilli of the human type were recovered by culture or guinea-pig inoculation in six of the seven cases, and in three the diagnosis was established during life; two of these survived on antituberculosis chemotherapy. The onset of symptoms varied from a few weeks to 12 months after operation. The main presenting symptom was intermittent pyrexia. In two patients the diagnosis was made on radiological and clinical grounds and in both, tubercle bacilli were grown from drill biopsy specimens of lung tissue. The source of infection was presumed to be the homograft valves contaminated in the postmorten room. The antibiotic mixture used in the sterilization of the homografts was not effective against tubercle bacilli.     

Clinical value of the measurement of Mycobacterium tuberculosis specific antibody in pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: A serological test that could help to diagnose tuberculosis, especially smear negative disease, would contribute to patient management. METHODS: Levels of antibody to distinct antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were assessed for their value in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary tuberculosis. Serum was taken from 52 patients who were smear positive, from 27 patients who were smear negative but with evidence of active tuberculosis (sputum culture positive in 16, response to antituberculosis chemotherapy in 11), from 11 patients with old healed tuberculosis (pre-antibiotic era), and from 39 healthy subjects vaccinated with BCG. RESULTS: In smear positive tuberculosis an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using a single 38 kDa antigen gave a diagnostic sensitivity of 80% with a 100% specificity. In smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis, however, combination of the 19 kDa antigen, lipoarabinomannan (ML 34 epitope), and hsp 65 (TB 78 epitope) was needed to achieve a sensitivity of 64% with a specificity of 95%. Recurrent and extensive radiographic disease with a poor prognosis was associated with high anti-38 kDa and low anti-14 kDa antibody levels in patients with active disease. Patients with less pulmonary cavitation had high anti-19 kDa titres. Bacteriological relapse during treatment was indicated by a rise in anti-14 kDa (TB68 epitope) antibodies. Four patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection showed no anti-38 kDa antibody. CONCLUSION: Antigen or epitope specific serology may help in the diagnosis, assessment of prognosis, and monitoring of chemotherapy in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.     

An open technique of pleural biopsy in the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions.

To assess an open technique of pleural biopsy as an aid to diagnosis in pleural disease 107 African patients with radiological evidence of pleural effusion underwent biopsy. In 87 there was radiological evidence of an effusion but not of underlying lung disease; 73 patients (84%) in this group were ultimately diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis and of these 56 (77%) had a positive pleural biopsy. There was a heavy male predominance of tuberculous infection (male:female ratio approximately 5:1) and half of the patients were aged 21 to 30 years. In the 20 patients with radiological changes in the lung a diagnosis was established by biopsy in 13 cases. Four of these were tuberculous and a further two cases of tuberculosis were established on clinical grounds.     

脊柱结核的MRI分型系统

目的 建立脊柱结核MRI的南方医科大学(Southern Medical University,SMU)分型系统,探讨其在脊柱结核诊断、手术适应证明确及术式选择方面的应用.方法 回顾性分析230例脊柱结核患者MRI资料,从椎间盘退变、椎体信号异常、脓肿形成、椎体塌陷、后凸畸形、矢状面指数、稳定性、脊髓或神经根受压及椎管占位等影像学特征进行分型.根据此分型,制定手术预案.结果 230例脊柱结核分为五个类型:信号改变型(Ⅰ型)、脓肿形成型(Ⅱ型)、椎体破坏型(Ⅲ型)、椎管占位型(Ⅳ型)和后凸畸形型(Ⅴ型).230例患者中,Ⅰ型28例,Ⅱa型13例,Ⅱb型26例,Ⅲ型78例,Ⅳ型46例,Ⅴ型39例(Ⅴa型13例,Ⅴb型26例).Ⅰ型25例患者获随访:20例采取非手术治疗,复发2例;5例行前路病灶清除术,无复发.Ⅱa型12例患者获得随访:6例行非手术治疗;6例行前路病灶清除术,复发1例.Ⅰ型和Ⅱa型患者手术治疗与非手术治疗复发率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).其余各型脊柱结核,均按照预案进行手术治疗,各治疗组间复发率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 脊柱结核MRI的SMU分型有利于进一步明确手术适应证,便于选择不同术式,在脊柱结核外科治疗干预方面有积极指导意义.

Abstract：

Objective To outline the classification of spinal tuberculosis based on MRI findings (Southern Medical University classification,SMU classification) and explore its use in the diagnosis,surgical protocols.Methods The MRI data from 230 cases with spinal tuberculosis were analyzed retrospectively.Our classification system was based on clinical and radiological criteria (abscess formation,disc degeneration,vertebral collapse,kyphosis,sagittal index,instability and neurological problems).The surgical strategies were made according with this classification.Results Two hundred and thirty cases with spinal tuberculosis were classified into the 5 types.There were signal change type (type Ⅰ) in 28 cases,abscess formation type (type Ⅱ) in 39,vertebral collapse type (type Ⅲ) in 78,canal compression type (type Ⅳ) in 46 and kyphosis type (type Ⅴ) in 39 respectively.In type I lesion,25 patients had been followed up.Twenty patients were treated medically.Recurrence of tuberculosis was found in 2 cases.Surgical meticulous debridements were done in 5 cases without recurrence.In type Ⅱa lesion,6 patients were treated medically.The other 6 patients underwent surgical meticulous debridement with recurrence occurred in one patient.There was no difference between medical and surgical treatment regarding outcomes in patients with type Ⅰ and Ⅱa lesion.In type Ⅱb-Ⅴ,surgical treatments were carried out according to the pathological changes.There was no difference between medical and surgical treatment regarding outcomes in the patients with type Ⅱb-Ⅴ.Conclusion The SMU classification helps in differentiating the various manifestations of spinal tuberculosis and appears to correlate with the surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis.We believe that this new classification system can be used as a practical guide in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.     

Bone and joint tuberculosis: a review of 652 cases

The results of a computerized study of 652 cases of bone and joint tuberculosis were presented. The cases were studied according to a program of 76 variables. From the various results of such a study, the following data were found. A high rate of tuberculous osteomyelitis (19%) and of tuberculosis of the upper limb joints (14%) were found. The reliability of a new x-ray classification based on the degree of destruction of the joint should be emphasized along with the reliability of biological examinations. All patients were treated according to the same principles; chemotherapy against tuberculosis, and surgical measures against musculoskeletal destruction. The results were excellent for tuberculosis. A favorable response to chemotherapy was found in 98% with only 3% of the cases relapsing. Anatomical results were surprisingly good and excellent in 56% of the cases, in spite of the low rate of surgery performed. Fair anatomical results often gave good functional results if no deformity persisted.     

Landouzy-Sepsis bei einer Patientin mit Miliartuberkulose

This article reports the fulminant course of a pneumogenic sepsis with severe ARDS (acute respiratory failure) in a 36-year-old female Indian patient, who died within 14?h after admission to the intensive care unit due to a multiorgan failure. During treatment the diagnosis of a miliary tuberculosis was suspected but was only confirmed by the autopsy. Due to high hygiene standards, miliary tuberculosis as the cause of septic shock is rare in Europe. Only 1–2% of the patients with pulmonary miliary tuberculosis develop an ARDS with a mortality of 60–90%. Based on this case the diagnostics as well as treatment of the patient are described. Furthermore, the management of an open tuberculosis on an intensive care unit is explained.     

Bone and joint tuberculosis. A survey of notifications in England and Wales

Of the 4172 patients in a survey of all cases of tuberculosis notified in a six-month period in England and Wales in 1978-79, 198 had a bone or joint lesion; 79 were white and 108 were of Indian subcontinent (Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi) ethnic origin. The estimated annual notification rates for orthopaedic tuberculosis were 29 per 100 000 for the Indian subcontinent group and 0.34 per 100 000 in the white group, a ratio of 85 to 1. Rates increased with age in both groups. The spine was the most common site, and was affected in 30% of the white patients and 43% of the Indian subcontinent patients; the distribution of other sites was similar in both groups. Positive culture from a bone or joint lesion was obtained in 99 (50%) of the 198 patients (58% of white patients and 47% of the Indian subcontinent patients). Bacteriological or histological confirmation of tuberculosis either from a bone or joint lesion or from another site was obtained in 68% of the patients. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from the orthopaedic lesions in 79 of the 82 patients with identification test results and M. bovis in the 3 remaining patients. Of the 61 patients with M. tuberculosis and with no history of previous chemotherapy, 5 had resistant strains compared with 1 of the 18 patients who had previously received chemotherapy. All 6 patients with resistant strains were of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin.     

The adult respiratory distress syndrome bronchogenic pulmonary tuberculosis

In three cases of pulmonary tuberculosis associated with the adult respiratory distress syndrome the clinical features, which were similar to those of patients with miliary tuberculosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome, included a history of cough, fever, and dyspnoea on effort, and the physical signs of fever, tachypnoea, pulmonary adventitious sounds, tachycardia, and hepatomegaly. In these cases the radiological features, though suggestive of diffuse pulmonary oedema, were more prominent on the side in which the cavitatory lesion appeared. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made easily from direct examination of sputum. Despite early ventilatory support and antituberculous therapy, two of the three patients died. Postmortem examination of the lungs in these cases showed evidence of acute alveolar damage (loss of type 1 pneumocytes and the presence of hyaline membranes within alveolar ducts) and of chronic alveolar damage (interstitial and alveolar fibrosis).     

Diffuse pulmonary infiltrates after bone marrow transplantation: the role of open lung biopsy

Background

Diffuse pulmonary infiltrates is the major complication and cause of mortality after bone marrow transplantation. We analyzed the etiologies and prognostic factors in bone marrow recipients with diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and assessed the role of open lung biopsy in managing this complication.

Methods

Medical records of patients with diffuse pulmonary infiltrates after bone marrow transplantation were reviewed. Possible prognostic factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Sixty-eight (20%) of 341 bone marrow recipients had diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and 34 died. Thirty-five underwent open lung biopsy, resulting in therapeutic changes in 22 (63%) and clinical improvement in 16 (46%). The leading diagnoses were idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis (40%) and cytomegalovirus pneumonitis (20%). Cytomegalovirus pneumonitis caused radiographically observable interstitial infiltrates exclusively and was frequently associated with hepatitis. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis resulted in either diffuse ground-glass opacity or interstitial infiltrates. Three (9%) patients had miliary tuberculosis. Respiratory failure (p < 0.001) and acute graft-versus-host disease (p = 0.016) were the poor prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Among bone marrow recipients, we found diffuse pulmonary infiltrates in 20% and a mortality rate of 50%. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis and cytomegalovirus pneumonitis were the most common causes and should be suspected in patients with diffuse interstitial infiltrates. In endemic areas, miliary tuberculosis should be suspected in bone marrow recipients with diffuse reticulonodular lesions. Respiratory failure and acute graft-versus-host disease were poor prognostic factors. By establishing a correct diagnosis, open lung biopsy led to treatment changes in about two-thirds of these patients.     

“Triple infections” (fungal,bacterial and viral) in immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients

In a period of 5 years, 8 out of 77 renal transplant patients showed simultaneous fungal, bacterial and viral infections. Candida albicans was found in all cases. The most severe bacterial complications were infections with Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus aureus. Cytomegalovirus, persistent HBsAg positive hepatitis, herpes zoster, and herpes simplex infections were also found. Seven patients died of bacterial superinfection and miliary tuberculosis. The data presented show that "triple infections" are associated with high mortality and that miliary tuberculosis occurred frequently in immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients.     

A case of urinary and miliary tuberculosis detected during examination for renal failure

A case of urinary and miliary tuberculosis in a 51-year-old male is reported. The patient with the complaint of low grade fever at night and appetite loss had visited another clinic. Laboratory data showed renal failure (serum creatinine 3.9 mg/dl, BUN 35.1 mg/dl) and he was referred to our hospital. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral hydronephrosis. Therefore we suspected postrenal renal failure. We performed cystoscopy in order to perform retrograde pyelography and to indwell double J stent. The bladder showed yellow-whitish nodules all over the bladder. Tuberculous bacilli were detected in the urine by smear, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture. Chest radiography and CT revealed multiple granular nodules and so diagnosed miliary tuberculosis. Immediately combination chemotherapy of with isonicotinic acid hydrozide, rifapicin, ethanbutal and pirazinamide was administered. Histopathology by bladder biopsy showed epithelioid cell granuloma. Chemotherapy was effective, but the vesical capacity was contracted to less than 50 ml, and we suspect that the patient will need vesical augmentation.