Pulmonary Mycobacterium kansasii infection: comparison of radiological appearances with pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to determine if there are differences in the radiological appearances at presentation between pulmonary infections caused by Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Correct recognition of the organism has important implications with regard to initial therapy and contact tracing. METHODS: The initial chest radiographs of 28 patients with pulmonary M kansasii infection were compared with those of 56 age, sex, and race matched patients with M tuberculosis infection. All patients in both groups were culture positive and none was known to be HIV positive. The radiographs were analysed independently by two radiologists who were unaware of the causative organism. RESULTS: Radiographic abnormalities in patients with M kansasii infection were more frequently unilateral and right side predominant, while those with tuberculosis more frequently involved a lower lobe. Air space shadowing involving more than one bronchopulmonary segment and pleural effusions were seen less frequently in M kansasii infection (four of 28 (14%) versus 30 of 56 (54%) and none of 28 versus 15 of 56 (27%)). Cavitation (21 of 28 (75%) versus 34 of 56 (61%) was seen to a similar extent in patients with M kansasii infection and in those with tuberculosis. Cavities tended to be smaller in patients with M kansasii infection (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Differences are seen in the radiographic appearances of pulmonary infection caused by M kansasii and M tuberculosis. These differences are not sufficient to allow a positive diagnosis on the basis of radiographic findings alone, but the presence of a pleural effusion or lower lobe involvement makes M kansasii infection very unlikely.     

Mycobacterium kansasii pulmonary infection: a prospective study of the results of nine months of treatment with rifampicin and ethambutol. Research Committee, British Thoracic Society.

BACKGROUND--Pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium kansasii is reported in approximately 50 new patients in Britain annually. Rifampicin and ethambutol are effective in vitro but the optimal duration of treatment, and whether isoniazid should also be given, are uncertain. The British Thoracic Society has conducted a prospective, multicentre study of the treatment of this condition with rifampicin and ethambutol given for nine months. METHODS--One hundred and seventy three patients with two or more positive cultures and radiological evidence of disease were recruited via the Mycobacterium Reference Unit (PHLS) in Cardiff from 113 physicians in England, Scotland, and Wales. Rifampicin and ethambutol were given for nine months, other antituberculosis drugs being discontinued once the culture was identified as M kansasii. Patients were reviewed, sputum cultured, and chest radiographs performed before, during, and at regular intervals for 51 months after chemotherapy. RESULTS--The mean (SD) age was 55.5 (11.7) years, 73% were men, and 50% had other lung problems. Cavitation was seen in 88%, bilateral shadowing in 48%, and three or more lung zones were affected in 46%. All cultures were sensitive to rifampicin and ethambutol but resistant to isoniazid and pyrazinamide. One patient who took chemotherapy irregularly still had positive cultures at seven and eight months. Fifteen patients developed positive cultures after the end of chemotherapy; factors which might account for the relapse were identified in eight. Reinfection rather than relapse was suspected in three of the 15. Radiographic improvement stabilised within three years in 80%. CONCLUSIONS--M kansasii pulmonary infection responds well to nine months of treatment with rifampicin and ethambutol but patients who contract this disease have a high mortality rate from other causes. Isoniazid does not appear to be a necessary part of the regimen.     

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.     

Pulmonary infection with Mycobacterium kansasii in Wales, 1970-9: review of treatment and response.

Thirty-five patients (88% male) with pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium kansasii have been reviewed. Sixty-six per cent had pre-existing lung disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema accounting for half of the disorders. Unilateral lesions were present in 69% of patients whose chest radiographs were reviewed and 90% had cavitating disease. The development of unilateral or bilateral disease appeared to be independent of any delay in starting treatment. Five patients died while receiving treatment, but none of these deaths was due to M kansasii infection. The remaining 30 patients were successfully treated with drug regimens, all of which included rifampicin and 86% of which included ethambutol. There was 100% sputum conversion, with no relapses after a mean follow-up period of five-and-a-half years. Rifampicin and ethambutol given for a mean period of 15 months appeared to be a non-toxic, effective combination.     

Mycobacterium malmoense infections in Scotland: an increasing problem.

During 1982-4 20 cases of Mycobacterium malmoense infection were identified in Scotland (13 male, seven female; age 34-82, median 62 years). Features of the disease were obtained from case notes and radiographs of 19 patients and were found to be indistinguishable from those of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Chronic chest disease, predominantly chronic airflow obstruction, was the most frequent associated disease. The organisms showed in vitro resistance in eight patients to rifampicin, in 19 patients to isoniazid, and in all patients to pyrazinamide and p-aminosalicylic acid. Nevertheless, all patients showed an early response to standard combination chemotherapy with rifampicin, isoniazid, and ethambutol, with or without pyrazinamide. Five have been cured and none had died of the infection, although four died of unrelated disease. Of nine patients still having treatment, five had relapsed after completing a course of antituberculosis drugs. All had received ethambutol for less than five months. The response to standard drugs was more satisfactory when the course included administration of ethambutol for at least nine months. Currently one new infection with M malmoense occurs in Scotland for every 40 with tuberculosis, and the incidence appears to be rising. In view of this, it is suggested that when tuberculosis is suspected the chemotherapeutic regimen should include ethambutol until the culture results are reported. If these then show M malmoense, ethambutol should be continued in the combination for at least nine months.     

Ultrashort-course chemotherapy for culture-negative pulmonary tuberculosis--a qualified success

A group of 250 patients with new or enlarging apical lung lesions which were thought to be tuberculous, and who had positive tuberculin tests but negative sputum smears and cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, were treated with an ultrashort (3-month), 4-drug (rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) regimen. One patient developed bacteriologically positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) during the treatment period and 35 others (14%) developed bacteriologically positive PTB after completing the drug regimen.     

Prospective study of mycobacterial infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Fifty four patients with cystic fibrosis, aged 3-67 years, were studied prospectively for pulmonary mycobacterial infection. Sputum smears and cultures were carried out and intradermal skin tests performed. Mycobacteria were cultured from six patients in association with clinical deterioration; four patients had positive direct smears. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M aviumintracellulare, M kansasii, and M gordonae were isolated. There were no deaths and all improved with chemotherapy. A third of the other 48 patients had positive skin test responses (greater than 6 mm) to purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin and 21 to one or more antigens prepared from non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Sensitisation increased with age; before the age of 11 only one patient had a positive response to PPD tuberculin and none to any other antigen. This was less than in healthy control subjects of similar age. After age 11 the reactions in sensitised patients were stronger than in positive healthy control subjects. Our study indicates that it is important to consider mycobacterial infection in patients with cystic fibrosis who deteriorate without obvious cause.     

The value of tuberculin skin testing in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic haemodialysis patients are at increased risk for developing tuberculosis (TB). Appropriate screening methods to detect latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection are required. The aim of this prospective multi-centre study was to evaluate the tuberculin skin test (TST) as a screening method for detection of M.tuberculosis infection in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: A total of 224 patients in two haemodialysis centres were prospectively tested, using 2 units of tuberculin PPD RT23. Up to three booster injections were given with a 7 day interval to patients not responding to the previous test. The results were compared with clinical and radiological data. RESULTS: The cumulative prevalence of a positive TST was 14.7% for the first test, 27.8% for the second test and 32.6% for the fourth test. There was no influence of age, gender, haemodialysis centre, dialysis efficiency, nutritional state, levels of zinc, vitamin D therapy, primary renal disease, (previous or active) immunosuppressive therapy or response to hepatitis B vaccination. There was a significant, but weak, correlation between TST positivity and a history of positive TST or TB. Chest radiography and positive TST were not correlated, yet a positive chest X-ray increased the detection of patients with latent M.tuberculosis infection up to 47.8%. CONCLUSIONS: In haemodialysis patients, a positive response of >30% to repeated TST was obtained. Two consecutive TSTs were sufficient to recruit most of the booster reactions. Since only a weak correlation was found with anamnestic data, regular TST evaluation in combination with a chest X-ray, is a useful tool to detect infection with M.tuberculosis in haemodialysis patients.     

Does tuberculosis after kidney transplantation follow the trend of tuberculosis in general population?

Despite improvement in graft survival, infection continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation. We analyzed the clinical courses and outcomes of 16 transplanted patients with positive cultures for mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the course of a 20 year period, there were 13 cases of tuberculosis registered that developed in 456 patients who underwent kidney transplantation in our department, and in three refugees transplanted in other centers (a prevalence of 3.13%). Five of them developed tuberculous infections during 1997. Five patients had residual tuberculosis in preoperative chest X-ray, and specific pyelonephritis as an underlying kidney disease in two of them. All patients with treated with triple immunosuppressives. Before tuberculosis onset, 14 patients experienced one or more episodes of acute rejection and were treated with steroid pulses, ALG or OKT3. Tuberculosis was diagnosed after a period of 1.5 months to 10 years after transplantation. At the time of an infection, the graft function was normal in eight patients and chronic graft failure was evident in eight patients (sCr 210-700 micromol/L). The infection was pulmonary in 12 patients; urinary in two; disseminated in two; pulmonary and urinary, pulmonary and intestinal, and pancytopenia in one patient. All patients were treated with rifampicin and isoniazid in addition to ethambutol for the first two-month period. Treatment lasted from 1-22 months. With 14 patients favorable microbiological responses were registered. Two patients died within the first six months (both with disseminated disease), and the mortality rate was 14.3%. Throughout the followup period, the graft function remained stable and normal in eight patients who had normal graft function at the time of infection onset. Although six patients recovered, progressive graft failure developed and hemodialysis was restarted in one patient two months after antituberculous therapy introduction, and in two patients three years later. Four patients died 2-14 months after AT therapy withdrawal. The causes of death were severe liver failure, cerebrovascular insult and CMV.     

结核分枝杆菌快速培养和常规药敏试验在脊柱结核治疗中的应用

目的 探讨BACT/ALERT 3D系统快速培养和绝对浓度法药敏试验对指导脊柱结核个体化化疗的应用价值,分析研究脊柱结核耐药情况.方法 根据临床表现、影像学表现、病理检查,50例患者诊断为脊柱结核,并接受手术治疗.收集术中所取脓液、干酪样组织.低温避光保存,8 h内送检,常规处理后接种液体培养基,使用BACT/ALERT 3D系统进行分枝杆菌快速培养.培养阳性者接种PNB和TCH培养基进行菌种鉴定,并将细菌接种至含药改良罗氏培养基,按绝对浓度法进行11种常用一线和二线抗结核药物药敏试验.结果 50例标本培养阳性21例(42%),人型结核杆菌19例,牛型结核杆菌2例.结核杆菌培养和药敏试验平均耗时41 d(28～58 d).其中耐药11例(52.4%),异烟肼耐药4例(19.0%),利福平和乙胺丁醇各1例(4.8%),链霉素3例(14.3%),力克肺疾2例(9.5%),左氧氟沙星8例(38.1%).结论 结核分枝杆菌快速培养和常规药敏试验准确度高,费用低,可检测常用一线和二线药物的敏感性,适用于指导脊柱结核个体化化疗方案的制定.异烟肼、利福平、吡嗪酰胺、乙胺丁醇或(和)链霉素联合用药方案对多数初治脊柱结核患者有效.     

Treatment of pulmonary infections caused by mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex.

Sixty-four patients with pulmonary infection caused by mycobacteria of the M avium-intracellulare complex have been reviewed. Patients who were asymptomatic on presentation often had a benign course but some developed progressive disease. Symptomatic patients who were not treated usually deteriorated. Various treatment regimens were used. Successful treatment was achieved in the majority of patients using a combination of isoniazid, rifampicin, and either ethambutol or streptomycin given for 24 months. Other forms of treatment given including multiple drug regimens were not as effective.     

Mycobacterial infection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

Of 207 homosexual or bisexual patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), 24 with the AIDS related complex, and 39 with asymptomatic HIV infection, 32 patients were found to have mycobacterial infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in 13 patients with AIDS and in two with the AIDS related complex. M avium-intracellulare was found in 15 patients with AIDS and was disseminated in 12. One patient was infected with M kansasii and one with M ulcerans. Invasive procedures were frequently required to obtain positive bacteriological results. Subclinical carriage of M avium-intracellulare and other mycobacteria thought to be nonpathogenic was common in patients seronegative for the human immunodeficiency virus and at all stages of human immunodeficiency virus infection. All but one isolate of M tuberculosis were fully sensitive to standard antimycobacterial antibiotics. Response to treatment was usually rapid. M avium-intracellulare isolates were all resistant to first line agents in vitro, and antibiotics such as ansamycin and amikacin were required to obtain a clinical response.     

Pneumonitis induced by rifampicin

An 81-year-old man was admitted to hospital with pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and was treated with rifampicin (RFP), isoniazid (INH), and ethambutol (EB). On day 9 he developed fever and dyspnoea. Chest radiographs showed new infiltration shadows in the right lung. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and increased numbers of lymphocytes were recovered. Drug induced pneumonitis was suspected so the antituberculous regimen was discontinued and methylprednisolone was administered. The symptoms and infiltration shadows improved. INH and EB were reintroduced without any recurrence of the abnormal shadows. T cell subsets in the BAL fluid and a positive lymphocyte stimulation test for RFP suggest that RFP induced pneumonitis may be related to a complex immunological response.     

Tuberculosis in Egyptian kidney transplant recipients: study of clinical course and outcome

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an important infection encountered post-transplantation especially in developing countries, with high incidences of morbidity and mortality. In this report, we study the risk factors and impact of TB on the outcome of kidney transplantation. METHODS: Of 1200 live-donor Egyptian kidney transplantations, 45 (3.8%) patients developed post-transplant TB. Of these, five had had TB pre-transplantation and 40 were male. The mean age was 32.6 +/- 10.5 years. Primary immunosuppression treatment for 39 (86.7%) patients was cyclosporine (CsA). RESULTS: The mean time interval between transplantation and TB diagnosis was 49.8 +/- 41.5 (range 2-180) months. In 86.7% of patients, TB was diagnosed one year post-transplantation. Urinary TB was the most common form (53%), while pleuropulmonary TB accounted for 38%. All post-transplant TB patients received a triple anti-tuberculous therapy (rifampicin, ethambutol and INH) with a favorable response in all but two patients who needed another 24-month course. Hepatotoxicity was seen in 11 patients, eight were mild with normalization after temporary withdrawal of rifampicin, and three cases were severe, but mortality was not attributable to hepatocellular failure. Twelve patients died, 11 of them due to unrelated causes. Chronic rejection occurred in more than half of the patients (55.6%), of whom 24 (96%) were CsA-treated, which can be attributed to rifampicin/CsA interaction. More than 35% of TB patients lost their graft as a result. Pre-transplant tuberculosis patients had a comparable post-transplant course. CONCLUSIONS: TB is a common infection in renal transplant recipients with a peak incidence occurring one year post-transplant. Chronic rejection is a serious complication that had a negative impact on the graft survival, especially in CsA-treated recipients. INH prophylaxis is safe in pre-transplant TB. The post-transplantation outcome in the pre-transplant tuberculosis patients is no different from non-TB patients.     

Peripheral lymph node tuberculosis: a review of 80 cases

One hundred and ninety-two patients with peripheral lymphadenopathy were screened and 80 patients with tubercular lymphadenitis were studied. Their ages ranged from 1 to 65 years; most were younger than 30 years and there was a slight female preponderance (1.2:1). Seventy per cent of patients were of low socioeconomic status. Of the 80 patients, 56 had affected cervical nodes, seven had inguinal nodes, five had axillary nodes and 12 had multiple sites of lymph node involvement. All had enlarged nodes which were matted in 44 cases and discrete in 18 cases, while the rest had either an abscess or a discharging sinus. Fifty-nine cases (74 per cent) showed a positive Mantoux test and four cases (5 per cent) had associated pulmonary tuberculosis. Fine needle aspiration cytology gave a positive diagnosis in 66 cases (83 per cent). Fifty-two cases showed a positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis of human type in Lowenstein-Jensen medium. Short-term chemotherapy (9 months) consisting of rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol gave an excellent result. Surgery was not required in any of the cases.     

The chemotherapy of patients with prostatic tuberculosis

The authors examined the efficacy of various chemotherapeutic regimes in the management of patients with tuberculosis of the prostate. The data of bacteriostatic secretion activity of the prostate showed that the most effective regimes were as follows: 1) isoniazid and ethambutol followed by galvanization of the prostatic region, then rifampicin suppository containing dimexid; 2) isoniazid and rifampicin suppository containing dimexid; oral ethambutol. Proper curative measures depending on the clinicomorphological types of the tuberculous prostate and their duration are also given. Using the proposed regimes in 68 patients provided 80.7-96.6% positive responses. The authors advise to carry out seasonal courses of chemotherapy using mainly the method of rectal administration of anti-tuberculous agents, dimexid and tissue electrophoresis.     

Bursectomy,Curettage, and Chemotherapy in Tuberculous Trochanteric Bursitis

We presented three patients with trochanteric tuberculosis and described the clinical and imaging findings of the infection. Histology revealed a necrotizing granulomatous bursitis and microbiology confirmed tuberculosis. All cases were successfully treated with bursectomy and curettage of the trochanteric lesion and antituberculous chemotherapy including isoniazid, pyrazinamide, rifampicin, and ethambutol.     

AIDS and tuberculosis

The diagnostic and therapeutic implications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and tuberculosis in South Africa, where tuberculosis remains a major health problem, are reviewed. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a high-grade pathogen and is able to establish infection early in immunodeficiency. With HIV infection showing significant entry into the heterosexual population in the RSA, an increasing number of cases with both infections can be expected to occur. The radiological appearance in combined infection is variable, ranging from a formal cavitatory picture to the more common finding of diffuse pulmonary infiltration. Intrathoracic adenopathy is a more specific sign of tuberculosis in HIV infection, since it is not associated with persistent generalised lymphadenopathy and pulmonary opportunistic infections, such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Intercurrent pneumonic infections and other pulmonary manifestations of HIV disease render the interpretation of new infiltrates on chest radiography problematical. Tuberculin skin testing remains useful in HIV infection and should be performed in all HIV-infected patients. The value of tuberculosis serology still remains questionable. Standard antituberculosis drug regimens are effective, but maintenance treatment must be continued for life and should include isoniazid and rifampicin. BCG vaccination is recommended routinely at birth in infants with HIV infection and for asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals who have not previously been immunised.     

馆陶县2012至2014年初治涂阳肺结核患者分枝杆菌培养及耐药

目的调查本县初治涂阳肺结核患者分枝杆菌培养及耐药情况,为分析结核病的防治措施提供依据。 方法选择2012-2014年于本县医院诊治的初治涂阳肺结核患者,在对其进行分枝杆菌培养的基础上,将阳性菌株送至本市相关实验室进行菌种鉴定以及药物敏感性分析。 结果本研究中共收治562例初治涂阳肺结核患者,其中性别比男︰女= 2.23︰1,平均年龄（41.2±3.7）岁;菌群类别：结核分枝杆菌492株（87.54%）,非结核分枝杆菌70株（12.46%）。敏感株为448株（79.72%）,耐药菌株为114株（20.28%）,其中耐多药菌株为36株（6.41%）,单耐药患者以耐链霉素（S）为常见（5.34%）,其次为耐异烟肼（称H）（4.63%）。多耐药中以至少耐异烟肼、链霉素（HS）为常见（22/562,3.91%）,其次为耐异烟肼、利福平（耐HR）（3.73%）。多耐药中耐两药者16例（2.85%）,耐3药者17例（3.02%）,耐4药者3例（0.53%）。耐药顺序为S > H > R > E。 结论中青年男性为肺结核防治的高危人群,需要对其进行密切防控。本县结核分枝杆菌复合群菌株的耐药率虽不高,但初治涂阳患者存在耐多药,需要进一步改进结核病的防控工作。     

Mycobacterial infection in HIV seropositive and seronegative populations, 1987-93.

BACKGROUND--Although the causes of the worldwide resurgence of tuberculosis are multifactorial, the HIV epidemic is believed to have had a central role. Control is further threatened by the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. METHODS--A retrospective evaluation was undertaken of trends in pulmonary and extrapulmonary culture positive mycobacterial pathology, and the prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in both HIV seropositive and, presumptively, HIV seronegative patients receiving their clinical care at St Mary's Hospital, London. Five hundred and thirty eight patients (188 of whom were known to be HIV seropositive) with positive mycobacterial isolates between January 1987 and March 1993 were identified from laboratory records. These were cross referenced with drug surveillance records. RESULTS--Overall, between 1987 and 1992 there was a progressive 3.5 fold increase in positive mycobacterial isolates and a 2.5 fold increase in patients with proven mycobacterial infection. This increase was greater within the HIV seropositive population. A total of 663 positive mycobacterial isolates was evaluated; the major pathogen identified was Mycobacterium tuberculosis (379 isolates, 57%). Three hundred and fourteen patients were diagnosed as having M tuberculosis, 49 of whom were HIV seropositive. M tuberculosis was predominantly isolated from the lung. Of 358 positive cultures for M tuberculosis (68 HIV seropositive, 290 presumptively HIV seronegative), only 27 isolates (7.6%), almost exclusively derived from presumed HIV seronegative patients, were resistant to either isoniazid, rifampicin, or both drugs together. No increases in drug-resistant isolates were observed over this period. CONCLUSIONS--There has been a considerable increase in the incidence of tuberculosis in both HIV seronegative and seropositive populations during the study period. The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis was not observed.