Clinical evaluation of the cause of death in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis

We made a clinical analysis of the cause of death of forty deceased patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis who were admitted to Kawasaki Medical School Hospital, Kawasaki Medical School Kawasaki Hospital, and Asahigaoka Hospital during the period from January 1996 to December 2001. The age of 40 deceased patients (29 males/11 females) ranged from 55 to 93 years old, and were mostly bedridden. Underlying diseases existed in all except one case, and they were respiratory diseases in 9 patients and non-respiratory diseases in 34 patients. Laboratory findings revealed poor nutritional conditions. The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was established within one month from the appearance of symptoms in over half of these patients because most of them were smear positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. None of the strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from these patients were multidrug resistant for antituberculous drugs and only one strain was completely resistant for Rifampicin. Radiological findings of the tuberculosis were bilateral in 30 patients. Consolidation shadows without cavity were noted in 22 patients, and extension within the unilateral lung field was observed in 24 patients. Regarding the cause of death, advanced pulmonary tuberculosis was the cause in 17 patients and non-tuberculous diseases were the cause in 23 patients. There were 15 patients with bacterial superinfections such as bacterial pneumonia, 4 with malignancy, and 4 with other disease. The number of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in poor general and nutritional condition has been increasing with the aging of the Japanese population. Treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis has been successful in most cases, however, the number of the deaths unrelated to tuberculosis including those due to bacterial superinfection has been increasing. Therefore, treatment should be considered against resistant microoganisms such as MRSA.     

Clinical presentation of community-acquired Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia in adults

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical presentation of community-acquired Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia in adults. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Kawasaki Medical School Hospital, Kawasaki Medical School Kawasaki Hospital, and Kurashiki Daiichi Hospital in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients with community-acquired pneumonia with C pneumoniae as the only pathogen identified admitted to three hospitals between April 1996 and March 2001 and their clinical presentations were compared to patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. MEASUREMENTS: The diagnosis of C pneumoniae infection was based on isolation and serologic testing of antibodies by the microimmunofluorescence test. RESULTS: The clinical presentations, except for shortness of breath, were similar for the three major etiologic agents. The mean temperature of C pneumoniae patients on hospital admission was 37.9 degrees C, which was lower than that of patients with S pneumoniae and M pneumoniae. The mean WBC count on hospital admission was lower in the patients with C pneumoniae (mean, 9,100/microL) than in those with S pneumoniae pneumonia but higher than in those with M pneumoniae pneumonia. No patients required respiratory support or admission to an ICU, and no deaths occurred among the C pneumoniae pneumonia patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that C pneumoniae pneumonia as a single etiologic agent is mild and that the underlying conditions and clinical symptoms closely resemble those of S pneumoniae pneumonia. However, the physical examinations, laboratory findings, and prognostic factors of the C pneumoniae patients resembled those of patients with M pneumoniae pneumonia.     

Clinical analysis of pneumonia in the elderly in a community hospital--comparison of community-acquired pneumonia and nosocomial pneumonia]

We experienced 530 elderly cases with pneumonia among 930 patients with pneumonia in Kawasaki Medical School Kawasaki Hospital between April 1986 and September 1998. Clinical analysis of all these patients and a comparison of one group consisting of 418 patients with community-acquired pneumonia and another group composed of 112 patients with nosocomial pneumonia were performed. In all of the elderly patients with pneumonia, respiratory symptoms and inflammatory findings were less frequent, but were frequent for those in poor general and nutritional condition. The causative microorganism was isolated in 42% of these patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae, MSSA and Klebsiella pneumoniae were frequently isolated from the sputum of the patients with community-acquired pneumonia, while Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) were frequently isolated from that of nosocomial pneumonia patients. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and some viruses were less frequent for patients in both groups. Although many intravenous antibiotics, such as cephem or carbapenem were administered to patients in both groups, the prognosis was relatively good for those with community acquired pneumonia but was extremely poor for those with nosocomial pneumonia despite mechanical ventilation or steroid pulse therapy for many patients.     

结核分枝杆菌γ-干扰素酶联免疫斑点试验在菌阴肺结核中的诊断价值

目的通过检测结核分枝杆菌γ-干扰素酶联免疫斑点试验的结果,探讨其在菌阴肺结核诊断及鉴别诊断中的意义。方法将研究对象分为菌阳肺结核、菌阴肺结核、肺部肿瘤、肺炎4组。所有患者分别进行结核分枝杆菌γ-干扰素酶联免疫斑点试验、结核抗体三项测定及结核菌素试验。结果菌阳肺结核、菌阴肺结核、肺部肿瘤、肺炎4组患者PPD试验阳性率为84.8%、83.3%、28.6%、33.3%;结核抗体试验的阳性率为84.8%、66.6%、28.6%、33.3%;ELISPOT试验阳性率为93.9%、93.3%、7.1%、3.3%。结论结核杆菌感染T细胞酶联免疫斑点试验在肺结核诊断,可能优于结核菌素试验及结核抗体测定,对于菌阴肺结核的诊断与鉴别诊断具有临床意义。     

综合医院住院病人中诊断的活动性肺结核132例分析

目的了解综合医院住院活动性肺结核病人入院前后诊疗情况,探讨肺结核病人诊断延误的原因,以提高综合医院医生对不典型肺结核的诊断水平。方法回顾性分析2002年1月—2006年12月各科活动性肺结核转、出院的132例病例的临床资料,包括临床症状,辅助检查,诊治情况等。结果(1)门诊误诊为其他疾病而收入院29例占22%,以肺炎、肺部阴影待查及肺脓疡为主;因其他疾病收入院而发现合并肺结核的103例占78%,以慢性喘息性支气管炎、胸膜炎为主。(2)以老年人及外地打工或外地农民比例较高。(3)临床症状以发热、咳嗽、纳差、咳痰喘、头痛、憋气、胸痛、咯血、乏力为常见症状,分别占43.9%、37.1%、21.2%、19.7%、11.4%、10.6%、10.6%、9.1%、8.3%。(4)单纯肺结核病例11例,合并其他疾病病例121例,常见合并疾病为脑血管疾病、营养不良、慢性喘息性支气管炎、糖尿病等,2种以上基础疾病的51例。合并肺外结核共21例,占15.9%,以结核性脑膜炎、颅内结核、肠结核多见。(5)入院后CT检查103例,肺结核89例,提示肺结核可能的14例,诊断率86.4%。(6)入院前100%未作痰涂片抗酸杆菌检查,入院后痰涂片检查82例占62.1%,阳性31例占37.8%。结论综合医院门诊是肺结核诊查的第一线,应进一步加强门诊病人结核病的排查工作,怀疑不典型肺结核病人门诊应该进行痰涂片及肺CT检查。     

Value of smear and PCR in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in culture positive pulmonary tuberculosis.

At present, further investigations are needed in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and either negative sputum smear or without sputum. The aim of the present study was to analyse the yield of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) smear and PCR in patients with confirmed pulmonary TB. Patients with a positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum or BALF were analysed over 5 yrs. In total, 90 out of 230 (39%) patients with culture-positive pulmonary TB had a positive sputum smear, and 120 patients underwent bronchoscopy. BALF smear was positive in 56 (47%), BALF PCR in 93 (78%) patients, and BALF smear and/or PCR was positive in 83%. In total, 71 patients who underwent bronchoscopy and had complete clinical records were further analysed. BALF (smear or Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-PCR) allowed a rapid diagnosis in 10 (59%) out of 17 patients who had a negative sputum smear, and 49 (91%) out of 54 patients without sputum production. Of these 71 patients, 12 (17%) were only culture positive. Rapid diagnosis of pulmonary TB by smear and/or PCR was made in 190 out of 210 patients (90%) in sputum or BALF. In conclusion, combined use of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid smear and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-PCR has a good diagnostic yield in patients with sputum smear-negative tuberculosis or without sputum production.     

Clinical analysis of community-acquired pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly and advances in treatment]

We treated 510 elderly case (over 65 years old) among 1,017 patients with community-acquired pneumonia and 60 similar cases among 112 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Kawasaki Medical School Kawasaki Hospital during approximately the past 15 years. These were compared with non-elderly cases (below 65 years old). In the elderly cases with community-acquired pneumonia, atypical clinical symptoms or physical signs were frequent and the mortality rate was high because of severe underlying diseases, and poor general and nutritional conditions. Regarding a prospective study of 84 elderly cases with community-acquired pneumonia during the past two years, S. pneumoniae, Respiratory virus, Gram-negative bacilli, H. influenzae, M. Tuberculosis were frequently isolated. In addition, mixed viral and bacterial infections, which were frequently noted during the winter, were significantly related to the increased frequency of community-acquired pneumonia. In treating elderly cases with community-acquired pneumonia, immunization therapy (e.g., influenza vaccine), second cephalosporin and/or macrolide antimicrobial agents for outpatients with mild pneumonia, and carbapenem and/or macrolide antimicrobial agents for hospitalized patients with moderate or severe pneumonia were most effective. The number of elderly cases with pulmonary tuberculosis has recently increased and the recognition of 10 cases was delayed because of a low percentage of positive smears, but no resistance to antituberculosis drugs have been observed. Regarding the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, fluoroquinolone and rifamycin derivative antibiotics have been developed as antituberculosis drugs with strong antituberculous activity. However, due to the high percentage of adverse effects in elderly patients, careful treatment with desensitization therapy for antituberculosis drugs is considered important.     

目标管理在提高初治肺结核患者痰标本留取质量上的价值

目的 探讨目标管理在初治肺结核患者痰标本留取质量控制中的应用效果。方法 收集2017年7—12月在上海市肺科医院结核科因疑似肺结核住院后确诊并接受治疗的338例初治肺结核患者作为研究对象。将入住结核科一病区的173例患者作为对照组,入住结核科五病区的165例患者作为观察组。对照组采取结核科常规护理管理及痰标本留取宣传教育,同时对患者痰标本留取及规范送检等情况进行督导检查;观察组在采取常规护理管理措施的基础上对患者痰标本的留取实施目标管理,即医生、护士和患者共同参与并确定痰标本留取的总目标,并将总目标分解成分目标,通过分目标的设定、目标实施、信息反馈处理、检查实施结果最终达到总目标。对两组患者住院期间痰标本留取的完成情况、合格情况及痰细菌学检测阳性情况进行比较。结果 观察组患者住院期间应留取痰标本502份,实际留取476份,合格432份,痰细菌学检测阳性312份;对照组患者住院期间应留取痰标本524份,实际留取431份,合格307份,痰细菌学检测阳性172份。观察组痰标本留取的完成率为94.82%(476/502),合格率为90.76%(432/476),痰细菌学检测阳性率为72.22%(312/432),均明显高于对照组的82.25%(431/524)、71.23%(307/431)、56.03%(172/307),两组比较差异均有统计学意义(χ ²值分别为39.50、57.15、20.83,P值均<0.01)。结论 目标管理能提高患者痰标本留取的主动性,提高痰标本留取的质量及痰细菌学检测的阳性率,有利于疑似肺结核患者尽早明确诊断。     

纤维支气管镜检查对无痰或痰菌阴性不典型肺结核的诊断价值

目的 探讨纤维支气管镜（简称“纤支镜”）检查对无痰或痰菌阴性不典型肺结核的诊断价值。 方法 选无痰或痰菌阴性的不典型肺结核患者201例,用纤支镜在病变部位进行活检、刷检、支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）进行BBLMGIT(Mycobacteria Growth Indicate Tube)分枝杆菌快速培养查结核杆菌。术后进行痰涂片查抗酸杆菌、痰结核分枝杆菌快速培养。 结果201例刷检、BALF快速培养结核分枝杆菌阳性率分别是67.2%、83.6%,61例活检阳性率63.9%,201例术后痰涂片、术后痰快速培养结核分枝杆菌阳性率分别是28.9%、57.2%。 结论 纤支镜检查是确诊无痰或痰菌阴性不典型肺结核的有效方法 ,其中BALF行结核分枝杆菌快速培养具有较高的诊断价值、快速、阳性率较高。根据镜下所见采用不同的取材方法 可望提高诊断率。     

综合医院住院老年患者活动性肺结核88例分析

目的了解综合医院住院老年患者中活动性肺结核患者的发病及入院前后诊疗情况,探讨老年肺结核患者诊治延误的原因,以提高综合医院对老年肺结核的诊治水平。方法回顾性分析2002年1月～2007年12月我院以肺结核（活动性）转、出院的老年患者88例的临床资料,包括临床症状、辅助检查和诊治情况等。结果（1）呼吸科病例占多数,且每年病例数逐年增加;（2）入院前临床症状以发热、咳嗽、咳痰喘为主;（3）83例患者有基础疾病或合并其他疾病,主要基础疾病为肺部疾病、糖尿病、心脑血管疾病及营养不良;（4）误诊为其他疾病而收入院5例（占5．7％）,因其他疾病或合并疾病收入院后发现合并肺结核83例（占94．3％）,以慢性喘息性支气管炎等肺部疾病为主;（5）入院前81例进行了胸片检查,均未提示肺结核,入院后CT检查明确诊断率为86．7％;（6）入院前均未作痰涂片结核菌检查,入院后痰涂片结核菌检查例55例（占62．5％）,阳性24例,占涂片病例的43．6％;（7）10天内诊断及转诊病例42例（占47．7％）,12例患者超过1个月（占13．6％）。结论老年肺结核患者延误诊断主因是并存其他疾病使其不典型,综合医院门诊应进一步加强门诊老年患者结核病的排查工作,对怀疑不典型肺结核的患者应该进行痰涂片及肺CT检查,以便早诊断,早转诊。     

应用噬菌体裂解法快速鉴定结核分支杆菌

目的 研究噬菌体裂解试验对结核分支杆菌快速鉴定的意义。方法 应用结核分支杆菌噬菌斑技术快速检测结核分支杆菌、非结核分支杆菌和非分支杆菌及肺结核患者痰标本。结果 结核分支杆菌H37Rv、牛分支杆菌和非洲分支杆菌噬菌体裂解试验均为阳性,10株常见非结核分支杆菌和7株非分支杆菌均为阴性;30株结核分支杆菌临床分离株本法检测结果全部阳性;20份涂阳培阳肺结核患者痰标本,本法阳性19份（95％）;21份涂阴培阳痰标本,本法阳性15份（71％）;19份涂阴培阴痰标本,5份阳性（26％）。结论 噬菌体裂解试验可以快速鉴定结核分支杆菌,用其检测痰标本中的结核分支杆菌具有很高的特异性和较高的敏感性。     

Clinical evaluation of 8 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in a community hospital without restricted tuberculosis wards]

The clinical features of 8 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis under treatment in the Koebaru Central Hospital, a community hospital without restricted tuberculosis wards, between 1992 and 2000 were evaluated. The major findings in the present study were: i) recently, the number of elderly patients with reactivated pulmonary tuberculosis has increased, ii) none of the patients showed respiratory symptoms, and 3 patients had negative Mantoux skin tests, iii) only one patient showed cavities on chest radiography, and iv) none of the expectorated sputum samples was smear-positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Smears of intrabronchial sputum sampled using a fiberoptic bronchoscope from pulmonary lesions in patients without any symptoms were useful for establishing the diagnoses. Considering all aspects, it is important to perform aggressive evaluations, even for elderly patients, utilizing a fiberoptic bronchoscope for early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and to prevent nosocomial infections.     

荧光探针杂交技术检测临床标本内结核分支杆菌的价值

目的　评价聚合酶链反应(PCR)荧光探针杂交技术(TaqMan技术)检测临床标本中结核分支杆菌的应用价值。方法 应用细菌学方法(涂片镜检和培养)及TaqMan法检测133份结核病患者痰标本,53份非结核呼吸系疾病患者痰标本。结果 细菌学方法检测结核病患者临床标本中结核分支杆菌阳性率为36.1%,TaqMan法阳性率为61.7%,高于细菌学检测法,经统计学处理,两者有显著性差异(P<0.05),用TaqMan法检测临床标本特异性为96.2%。结论 TaqMan技术将PCR扩增、荧光探针杂交及检测一体化,在单一管内完成,具有简便、快速、防污染、敏感性及特异性较高等优点,是结核病辅助诊断的有效方法之一。     

The study of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly]

A clinical study of 52 patients diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis at National Chiba-Higashi Hospital between 1988 and 1990 was performed. The cases ranged in age from 80-89 years; mean male patient age was 82.5, and mean female patient age was 84.3. Diagnosis of the cases were as follows: 19 discovered when checking into hospital because of chest symptoms; 14 diagnosed during the treatment of other diseases; 14 diagnosed during admission to the hospital for other diseases; and five cases were detected by chest X-rays. A total of 38 cases, had received primary treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis, 11 cases had received secondary treatment, and three cases were receiving treatment for tuberculosis. Upon admission to the hospital after the detection of tuberculosis, 19 cases tested positive to sputum smear examinations, six cases tested positive to culture examinations but negative to smear examinations, and culture examinations were negative in 27 cases. Regarding the chest X-ray findings, using the criterion of roentgenological classification for pulmonary tuberculosis established by the Japanese Society for Tuberculosis, two cases revealed type I, 29 cases revealed type II, and 21 cases revealed type III. Cavitary cases were observed in 60% of the chest X-ray findings. Upon hospital admission, 18 cases were observed to have circulatory diseases, 16 cases had central nervous diseases, 12 cases had digestive diseases and 11 cases had respiratory diseases. Nine cases had malignant neoplasm, five cases had diabetes mellitus and 14 cases had other diseases. A total of 18 cases ended in death; six cases died of pulmonary tuberculosis, and 12 cases died of other diseases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Integration of tuberculosis screening at an HIV voluntary counselling and testing centre in Haiti

OBJECTIVE: To describe the integration of tuberculosis screening into the activities of an HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) centre in a country with endemic tuberculosis. SETTING: An HIV VCT centre in Port au Prince, Haiti. DESIGN: All patients presenting for HIV VCT who reported cough received same-day evaluation for active tuberculosis. Of the 1327 adults presenting to the centre for the first time between January and April 1997, 263 (20%) reported cough and of these 241 (92%) were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 241 patients evaluated for cough, 76 (32%) were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Of the 76 patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, 28 (37%) had a positive smear for acid-fast bacilli (AFB), 14 (18%) had a negative AFB smear but a positive sputum culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and 34 (45%) had culture-negative tuberculosis. Also, 31 out of 241 (13%) VCT clients evaluated for cough were diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. CONCLUSION: This report confirms that in areas with a high HIV and tuberculosis prevalence, a high proportion of VCT clients have active pulmonary tuberculosis. The integration of tuberculosis screening offers several benefits, including the diagnosis and treatment of large numbers of individuals with tuberculosis, a decreased risk of nosocomial tuberculosis transmission, and the opportunity to provide tuberculosis prophylaxis to HIV-positive patients in whom tuberculosis has been excluded. Future studies are needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of integrated tuberculosis and HIV VCT services, and whether integration should be recommended in all countries with high HIV and tuberculosis rates.     

二代测序技术检测临床痰标本中结核分枝杆菌的初步评价CSCD

目的:评价二代测序(NGS)技术对临床痰标本中结核分枝杆菌的检测效能。方法:采用前瞻性研究方法,选取北京市疾病预防控制中心(北京结核病控制研究与防治所)2021年8—10月接诊的49例疑似肺结核患者痰标本,同时进行抗酸杆菌涂片镜检(简称“涂片”)、分枝杆菌培养(包含罗氏培养和MGIT 960液体培养;简称“培养”)、GeneXpert MTB/RIF(简称“Xpert”)和NGS技术检测结核分枝杆菌,比较4种方法检测不同分类患者阳性率差异,并以最终临床诊断为参照标准,评价4种检测方法的检测效能。结果:49例疑似肺结核患者中,最终肺结核诊断者40例(包括病原学确诊患者25例、病原学阴性临床诊断患者15例),非肺结核患者9例(包括肺炎6例,非结核分枝杆菌感染、慢性阻塞性肺疾病和哮喘各1例)。NGS技术检测49例疑似肺结核患者的阳性率[69.4%(34/49)]明显高于涂片[44.9%(22/49)]、培养[51.0%(25/49)]和Xpert[49.0%(24/49)],差异均有统计学意义(χ^(2)=17.614、17.018、20.753,P值均=0.000);检测病原学阴性肺结核患者的阳性检出率为46.7%(7/15)。以临床诊断结果为参照标准,涂片、培养、Xpert、NGS技术对49例疑似患者痰标本的检测敏感度分别为55.0%(22/40)、60.0%(24/40)、60.0%(24/40)、80.0%(32/40),特异度分别为9/9、8/9、9/9、7/9,一致率分别为63.3%(31/49)、65.3%(32/49)、67.3%(33/49)、79.6%(39/49),Kappa值分别为0.310、0.297、0.355、0.459。结论:以临床诊断为参考标准,NGS技术检测的敏感度最高,与临床诊断的一致性也最高,能够快速、高效检测痰标本中的结核分枝杆菌,可早期辅助诊断疑似肺结核患者。     

Investigation of the cases due to Mycobacterium kansasii in our hospital]

A clinical study of 23 patients with Mycobacterium kansasii infection of the lung encountered at National Chiba Higashi Hospital from 1988 to 1990 was carried out. All 23 cases were male, aged from 25 to 81 years-old. Diagnoses were confirmed by sputum culture. The cases consisted of 15 primary infections and 8 secondary infections. Out of the 23 cases, 11 were detected by mass screening with chest X-ray findings, 10 cases were discovered when visiting the hospital because of chest complications and two cases were diagnosed during the observation of other diseases. On admission, sputum smear examinations were positive for 15 patients and negative for 8 patients. Chest X-ray findings using the roentgenological classification criterion for pulmonary tuberculosis established by the Japanese Society for Tuberculosis, 20 cases revealed a Type II shadow and three cases revealed a Type III shadow. One patient has died from another disease, two are undergoing chemotherapy, two have ceased chemotherapy treatment, and 18 patients have completed the treatment, Sputum cultures rapidly turned to negative for mycobacterium detection after chemotherapy treatment. The prognosis is considered to be quite good.     

Clinical analysis of community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical features, etiology, and outcome of patients over 65 years old hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia. PATIENTS: Eighty-four patients (50 males, 34 females) hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia in Kawasaki Medical School Kawasaki Hospital between April 1998 and March 2000. RESULTS: Most of the patients had respiratory symptoms or signs, but over one-third also had atypical symptoms of pneumonia such as dyspnea, consciousness disturbance, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The causative microorganisms were identified in 48% of these patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae (13%), respiratory viruses (13%), Haemophilus influenzae (8%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (8%) were frequently identified, but Mycoplasma pneumoniae was less frequently noted in the elderly. Double infection was recognized in 19 % and a combination of some virus and bacteria in 13%. Treatment consisted of the administration of second or third generation cephalosporin antibiotics intravenously, because antibiotics had already been preadministered in 39%. The prognosis was poor (mortality rate 9%) for the elderly with community-acquired pneumonia despite mechanical ventilation in 8%. CONCLUSIONS: Although the range of microorganisms causing community-acquired pneumonia differed slightly from that in previous reports; namely, lower frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila, it is suggested that the initial antibiotic treatment should always cover S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. In addition, since a prevalence of virus infections related to the increase in community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly was found in this study, the routine use of influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccines in the elderly is recommended to reduce the high mortality rate.     

四种结核分枝杆菌检测方法的临床应用评价

目的评估涂片、培养、PCR和增菌PCR检测结核分枝杆菌临床应用价值。方法对124例临床确诊的肺结核、可疑结核患者和非结核病人痰标本的涂片、培养、PCR和增菌PCR四种方法的检测结果进行比较。结果涂片、培养、PCR和4及7d的增菌PCR检测31例临床确诊的肺结核病人痰标本阳性率分别为22.5%、32.2%、54.8%、64.5%和87.1%;检测59例临床可疑肺结核病人痰标本阳性率分别为13.6%、18.6%、28.8%、37.3%和52.5%。比较四种方法的阳性检测率有显著性差异(P<0.05)。检测34例非结核病人痰标本,涂片、培养均为阴性,而PCR和增菌PCR均有1例假阳性,假阳性率2.9%。比较PCR与增菌PCR对菌阳和菌阴病人的痰标本阳性检测率,有显著性差异(P<0.05),而两种方法的假阳性率相同。结论增菌PCR检测结核分枝杆菌具有很高的敏感性和特异性,可作为结核病的有效辅助诊断方法之一。     

Pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients presenting with normal chest radiograph and negative sputum smear

Background: HIV-infected patients with pulmonary tuberculosis exhibit atypical radiological presentation and negative sputum smear more frequently than their HIV-negative counterparts. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective study based on a chart review of 146 HIV-infected patients with pulmonary symptoms and culture-proven pulmonary tuberculosis. We compared clinical characteristics and the outcome in 71 patients (49%) with positive sputum smear (SS+), 62 patients (42%) with negative sputum smear/abnormal chest X-ray (SS−/CXR+) and 13 patients (9%) with negative sputum smear/normal chest X-ray (SS−/CXR−). Patients were enrolled form January 1987 to December 1998, and were followed up until December 1999. Results: On hospital admission the three groups of patients examined did not differ significantly in demographic characteristics, degree of immunosuppression or Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug-susceptibility pattern. SS−/CXR− patients were significantly less likely to present with prolonged fever and dyspnea. Median survival was shorter for SS−/CXR− patients (6.4 months vs. 20.2 and 18.8 months in the other two groups). In multivariate analysis, SS−/CXR− patients had a significantly increased risk of death (hazard ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 6.4, p = 0.004) compared to SS+ patients. This increase in risk was no longer statistically significant when initiation of antituberculous therapy within 8 weeks from the collection date of the first specimen yielding M. tuberculosis was included in the multivariate model. Conclusion: Decreased survival was observed in HIV-infected patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and with both negative sputum smear and normal chest X-ray presentation. This may primarily be a result of delayed tuberculosis diagnosis and initiation of antituberculous therapy. The latter delay may also lead to a faster progression of HIV infection in SS−/CXR patients, in whom diagnostic oversight may be common. Received: April 15, 2001 · Accepted: November 4, 2001