The Relationship between Disease Pattern and Disease Burden by Chest Radiography, <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. tuberculosis</Emphasis> Load,and HIV Status in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Addis Ababa

Abstract Background: We evaluated the impact of HIV coinfection on the chest radiographic pattern and extent of disease and its relation to the load of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Ethiopian out-patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients and Methods: A total of 168 patients with cultureverified pulmonary tuberculosis had their chest X-rays (CXR) reviewed for the site, pattern, and extent of disease and the findings were correlated to (a) the mycobacterial culture count and bacillus load after sputum concentration and (b) the HIV status of the patients. Results: HIV-positive patients were less likely to have cavitary disease (p < 0.001) and more likely to have pleural effusion (p = 0.08), miliary (p < 0.05), and interstitial (p < 0.01) patterns. A total of 15 (9.2%) patients had normal chest X-rays. HIV-infected patients had a CXR classified as normal or with minimal involvement (p = 0.059) and a reduced mycobacterial colony count (p = 0.002) compared to HIV-negative patients. Middle and lower lung involvement were more common in HIV-positive patients. Conclusion: CXR findings in the setting of an underlying HIV infection tend to be more atypical and could present as either normal or with minimal involvement. In general, HIV-positive patients had lower colony count of M. tuberculosis than HIV-negative patients. Of particular interest is the finding of a large number of normal chest X-rays in HIV-infected patients. With the rising incidence of both tuberculosis and HIV infection in Ethiopia, the finding of a normal chest X-ray and a negative smear poses a challenge for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.     

Active screening for pulmonary tuberculosis among immigrants by chest x-ray at the Swiss border

AIM: To assess the number of immigrants with pulmonary tuberculosis detected by chest x-ray screening at the Swiss border. METHOD: All adult immigrants entering Switzerland in 2004 were screened by chest x-ray (CXR). The number of radiological abnormalities suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis, and the proportion requiring treatment for tuberculosis, were assessed retrospectively. The frequency of symptoms among immigrants with documented TB was compared with a sample of immigrants with a normal CXR. RESULTS: Among 8995 immigrants, 8240 had a normal CXR, 630 had some abnormality not suggestive of active TB and 125 (1.4%) had a CXR suggestive of pulmonary TB. A final diagnosis of tuberculosis requiring treatment was made in 50 (11 with positive smear and culture, 16 with positive culture and 23 with negative culture), 57 had fibrotic lesions and 18 had another disease or a normal x-ray on control. The prevalence of symptoms did not differ between 27 immigrants with documented TB (smear+/culture+: 82%, smear-/culture+: 75%), and 23 with smear-/culture-tuberculosis (91%), but lower in 57 immigrants with fibrotic lesions (60%). Cough was more frequent among the 27 immigrants with documented TB (70%) than among 198 smokers without TB (37%) and among 229 non-smokers without TB (15%) CONCLUSIONS: Only 22% (27/125) of immigrants with CXR abnormalities suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis were documented by smear and/or culture and 40% (50/125) needed antituberculous treatment. 2/11 smear-positive immigrants would not have been detected by a questionnaire on symptoms.     

Delayed diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency with which the diagnosis of tuberculosis is delayed in patients with concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and to identify reasons for such delays. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 52 consecutive HIV-infected patients with culture-proven tuberculosis seen at a 1,900-bed general hospital serving a predominantly indigent population in Los Angeles, where the prevalences of HIV infection and tuberculosis are high. The late-treatment (LT) group consisted of 25 patients in whom tuberculosis was untreated prior to death (n = 6) or treated more than 22 days after presentation (n = 19). The early-treatment (ET) group comprised 27 patients in whom antituberculous therapy was begun less than 16 days after presentation. RESULTS: Symptoms, physical and laboratory findings, chest roentgenographic abnormalities suggestive of tuberculosis (hilar adenopathy, pleural effusion, miliary pattern, cavitation, predominant upper lobe infiltrate), and frequencies of concomitant nontuberculous disease were similar in LT and ET groups. Delayed diagnosis of tuberculosis was attributable to errors in management in 21 (84%) of 25 LT group patients. The most common error was failure to obtain at least three sputum samples for acid-fast smear and mycobacterial culture in patients with clinical and chest roentgenographic findings compatible with tuberculosis (15 cases). Acid-fast sputum smears were positive in 25 (61%) of 41 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Acid-fast smears of stool were positive in eight (42%) of 19 cases. Blood cultures yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 18 (38%) of 48 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed therapy of tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients at our medical center was common and was not due to atypical manifestations of tuberculosis. In most cases, delays could have been avoided if adequate numbers of sputum samples for acid-fast smear and mycobacterial culture had been obtained, and if empiric antituberculous therapy had been given to symptomatic patients in whom chest roentgenographic findings were suggestive of mycobacterial disease.     

Detection of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with a normal chest radiograph

OBJECTIVES: To describe the early symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) when the chest radiograph (CXR) is normal. SETTING: Centralized, provincial TB control program. SUBJECTS: Twenty-five patients with culture-positive pulmonary TB and a normal CXR were identified from a review of 518 consecutive patients with culture-positive pulmonary TB in the province of Saskatchewan from January 1, 1988 to March 31, 1997. Patients with abnormal CXRs at the time of diagnosis were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-three of the 25 patients (92%) were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis, with cough/sputum (76%) being reported most commonly. Eleven patients were identified because of contact tracing from cases of infectious pulmonary TB, while the other 14 patients were identified because of an investigation of symptoms. Twenty-four patients (96%) exhibited one or more symptoms of cough for > 1 month, fever for > 1 week, or skin-test conversion after contact with infectious TB. The sputum smear of only one patient was positive. Two patients were pregnant at the time of diagnosis, one patient was HIV-positive, and one patient demonstrated isoniazid-resistant organisms on sensitivity testing. Five patients were diagnosed as having primary TB associated with Mantoux skin-test conversion. The incidence of culture-positive pulmonary TB with a normal chest radiograph was < 1% in the period from 1988 to 1989 and steadily increased to 10% in the period from 1996 to 1997. CONCLUSIONS: Culture-positive pulmonary TB with a normal CXR is not uncommon, and the incidence of this presentation is increasing. Patients with this presentation of TB are typically symptomatic and/or are detected by contact tracing to infectious cases of pulmonary TB. The results suggest that patients presenting with a cough for > 1 month, with a fever for > 1 week, or with documented skin-test conversion < 2 years after known exposure to infectious TB should have sputum submitted for a Mycobacterium tuberculosis smear and culture despite a normal CXR.     

82例初治痰涂片阳性老年肺结核患者的近期临床观察

目的 探讨初治痰涂片阳性老年肺结核患者的疗效、对抗结核药物的耐受性及左氧氟沙星的有效性和安全性。方法 将82例初治痰涂片阳性老年肺结核患者按4：3分为治疗组和对照组进行6个月的临床观察（强化期2个月，巩固期4个月）。治疗组选用可乐必妥，按2HLEV／4HLE方案给药；对照组用吡嗪酰胺，按2HLEZ／4HLE给药。结果 治疗组和对照组2个月痰菌阴转率分别为72．7％和63．3％（P＞0．05），治疗6个月痰菌阴转率分别为88．6％和83．3％（P＞0．05），胸部X线病灶吸收分别为86．4％和86．7％（P＞0．05），空洞闭合率分别为30．0％和24．1％（P＞0．05），药物副反应发生率分别为25．5％和51．4％（P＜0．05）。结论 老年人肺结核治愈率较低，药物副反应发生率高，左氧氟沙星对老年人肺结核安全有效。     

The role and performance of chest X-ray for the diagnosis of tuberculosis: A cost-effectiveness analysis in Nairobi,Kenya

Background  

The objective of this study was to establish 1) the performance of chest X-ray (CXR) in all suspects of tuberculosis (TB), as well as smear-negative TB suspects and 2) to compare the cost-effectiveness of the routine diagnostic pathway using Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) sputum microscopy followed by CXR if case of negative sputum result (ZN followed by CXR) with an alternative pathway using CXR as a screening tool (CXR followed by ZN).     

Negative sputum smear results in HIV-positive patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Lusaka,Zambia

During recruitment to a prospective study of tuberculosis patients in Lusaka, Zambia, 109 had pulmonary disease proven by sputum culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, of whom 72 were HIV-1 antibody-positive and 37 were HIV-negative. Among these culture-proven cases, 43% of the HIV-positive patients had a negative sputum smear, compared with 24% of the HIV-negative cases. There was a strong trend towards lower grade or negative sputum smear in the HIV-positive group (P = 0.003). HIV-positive cases also had lower colony counts on culture and colonies took longer to appear. The findings imply that cases of HIV-associated pulmonary tuberculosis may frequently be missed and emphasise the need for new diagnostic methods.     

Clinical significance of normal chest radiographs among HIV-seropositive patients with suspected tuberculosis in Uganda

Background and objective: The frequency, aetiologies and outcomes of normal chest radiographs (CXRs) among HIV‐seropositive patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) have been infrequently described. Methods: Consecutive HIV‐seropositive adults hospitalized for cough of ≥2 weeks duration at Mulago Hospital (Kampala, Uganda), between September 2007 and July 2008, were enrolled. Baseline CXRs were obtained on admission. Patients with sputum smears that were negative for acid‐fast bacilli (AFB) were referred for bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL fluid was examined for mycobacteria, Pneumocystis jirovecii and other fungi. Patients were followed for 2 months after enrolment. Results: Of the 334 patients, 54 (16%) had normal CXRs. These patients were younger (median age 30 vs 34 years, P = 0.002), had lower counts of CD4+ T lymphocytes (median 13 vs 57 cells/µL, P < 0.001), and were less likely to be smear positive for AFB (17% vs 39%, P = 0.002) than those with abnormal CXRs. Pulmonary TB was the most frequent diagnosis (44%) among those with normal CXRs, followed by unknown diagnoses, pulmonary aspergillosis and pulmonary cryptococcosis. The frequency of normal CXRs was 12% among pulmonary TB patients. There was a trend towards increased 2‐month mortality among patients with normal CXRs compared to those with abnormal CXRs (40% vs 29%, P = 0.15). Conclusions: Normal CXR findings were common among HIV‐seropositive patients with suspected TB, especially those who were young, those with low CD4+ T cell counts and those with sputum smears that were negative for AFB. Mortality was high among those with normal CXRs. Normal CXR findings should not preclude further diagnostic evaluation in this population.     

Chest roentgenogram in pulmonary tuberculosis. New data on an old test

The utility of routine admission chest roentgenograms (CXRs) was evaluated in detecting pulmonary tuberculosis and the relationship between roentgenographic patterns and the likelihood of finding acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on sputum smear. Of 58 patients whose chief complaints were unrelated to pulmonary tuberculosis, the CXR suggested tuberculosis in 52 cases (90 percent). In 45 cases, the emergency room physician failed to elicit the patient's respiratory symptoms and did not consider tuberculosis as a diagnostic possibility. In 18 individuals, the diagnosis was missed in the emergency room because of failure to obtain a CXR. Among patients whose roentgenograms showed cavitation or extensive alveolar infiltrate, sputum smears showed AFB in 98 percent of cases. If alveolar infiltrate was absent, or if the roentgenographic pattern was not that of adult reactivation disease, sputum smears revealed AFB in only one half of the cases. We conclude that routine admission CXRs are useful in hospitals serving populations where tuberculosis is still common, and the probability of detecting AFB on sputum smear is greatly influenced by the roentgenographic findings.     

Impact of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific interferon-γ release assay in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for a rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis

Abstract. Jafari C, Kessler P, Sotgiu G, Ernst M, Lange C (Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany; Hygiene and Preventive Medicine Institute, University Sassari, Sassari, Italy; Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany). Impact of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐specific interferon‐γ release assay in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for a rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis. J Intern Med 2011; 270 : 254–262. Objectives. Evaluation of different methods for an initial treatment decision in individuals with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Background. Recently, important advances regarding the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis have been introduced, which influence the decision to initiate anti‐tuberculosis treatment. Methods. To evaluate the impact of different methods for the presumed diagnosis of tuberculosis, individuals with suspected tuberculosis were prospectively enrolled following a specific algorithm including initial smear microscopy and Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐specific nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) from sputum. In cases of negative initial test results, tuberculin skin testing, bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies and interferon‐γ release assays (IGRAs) in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were performed. Results. Amongst 135 individuals with suspected tuberculosis, 42 had tuberculosis, 10 had nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary infection/colonization (one had both tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary infection/colonization) and 84 had an alternative final diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity were 41% and 99% [positive likelihood ratio (LR+) = 40] for sputum microscopy and 31% and 98% (LR+ = 16) for BAL nucleic acid amplification, respectively. In patients with acid‐fast bacilli smear‐negative tuberculosis (25/42, 59.5%), M. tuberculosis‐specific BAL fluid IGRA was 92% sensitive and 87% specific (LR+ = 7) for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Conclusion. None of the microbiological or immunological methods that aim to provide a rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis whilst waiting the confirmation of the M. tuberculosis culture results is on its own accurate enough to diagnose or exclude pulmonary tuberculosis. Negative sputum microscopy and M. tuberculosis‐specific NAAT results should prompt bronchoscopy including BAL for M. tuberculosis‐specific IGRA in individuals with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis.     

合并糖尿病初治涂阳肺结核111例分析

目的 探讨合并糖尿病初治涂阳肺结核患者的临床特征,以便早期发现,提高疗效。 方法 对我中心1997 年1 月到2009 年6月间收治的,户籍人口合并糖尿病初治涂阳肺结核患者111例进行回顾性分析。 结果合并糖尿病初治涂阳肺结核具有中老年比例大,病变相对广泛,排菌量大,痰菌阴转速度慢,病灶吸收较差的特征。 结论 合并糖尿病初治涂阳肺结核患者具有一定的临床特征, 治疗应强调控制血糖及合理的抗结核治疗。     

聚合酶链反应对菌阳肺结核治疗的监测

目的探讨痰菌阳性肺结核患者在治疗期及停药２年内痰结核分支杆菌及其ＤＮＡ阴转情况与复发的关系以及聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）对菌阳肺结核患者治疗的监测价值。方法用ＰＣＲ技术、涂片及培养法对８７例菌阳肺结核于治疗期每月检测１次，停药期继续随访２年。结果痰结核分支杆菌ＰＣＲ转阴时间通常比涂片和培养迟１～３个月，痰含菌量越多，ＰＣＲ持续阳性时间越长。８７例中１０例（１１％）ＰＣＲ持续阳性１年以上，其中３例（３０％）分别于停药后８、１２、１６个月时复发，１例ＰＣＲ已转阴病例于１８个月时复发。此４例均有痰菌复阳，胸片示病灶增多而再次接受治疗。结论ＰＣＲ用于临床疗效观察比涂片、培养实用，对估计有可能复发的病例有一定帮助。     

类固醇性结核病59例分析

目的分析类固醇性结核病的临床特点。方法回顾性分析2001—2006年间在类固醇激素治疗过程中发现的59例住院结核病例。结果59例均经过12个月的抗结核治疗,有效率78.3％,5例死亡患者均为耐多药结核病（MDR-TB）,无缓解者8例;胸部Ｘ线表现病变广泛,病变缩小49例,空洞缩小12例;痰结核分枝杆菌菌阴转17例。结论类固醇性结核病重在预防,需定期随访X线胸片和痰抗酸染色镜检,及时治疗可以获得满意疗效。     

Identification of mycobacteria and other acid fast organisms associated with pulmonary disease

ObjectiveTo identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and other acid fast organisms isolated from sputum of HIV positive adult patients with pulmonary disease in Jos, Nigeria.MethodsAcid fast organisms isolated from 80 acid fast bacilli (AFB) positive sputa of HIV positive adult patients suspected for tuberculosis in Jos, Nigeria were identified for members of M. tuberculosis complex (M. tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium africanum, Mycobacterium canetti, Mycobacterium microti and Mycobacterium caprae) by use of spoligootyping, Multiplex Gen Probe, Hain genotype assay and gene sequencing for spoligotype negative isolates.ResultsSeven different spoligotypes of M. tuberculosis complex were identified from 70/80 (87.5%) total number of isolates. Mycobacterium kansasii (1), Mycobacterium dulvalii (1) Nocardia species (1) and Tsukamurella species (2) were detected from 5/10 spoligotype negative isolates.ConclusionsAlthough M. tuberculosis is the dominant AFB associated with chronic pulmonary disease in Jos, Nigeria, other clinically relevant mycobacteria were also observed in the study. This suggests that other AFB positive microorganisms associated with tuberculosis-like symptoms might be misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated as M. tuberculosis. It is therefore necessary for laboratories in tuberculosis high burden countries to step up diagnostic procedures beyond routine smear microscopy.     

Non tuberculosis mycobacteria isolates among new and previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Nigeria

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of non tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) among new and previously treated tuberculosis (TB) patients in Nigeria.MethodsIt was a retrospective study. A total of 102 sputum smear positive samples/culture isolates from pulmonary TB patients (41 new smear positive and 61 smear positive retreatment cases) were sent to the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp Belgium between 2007-2009. Data on patients' characteristics were retrieved from their treatment cards.ResultsAmong the 102 samples, 25 isolates results (20 were culture negative while 5 were contaminated) were excluded from the study. Data were available for 77 mycobacterium isolates. 70 (90.9%) were identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 7 (9.1%) as atypical mycobacteria. Among the atypical mycobacteria, three of them were Mycobacterium fortuitum, two Mycobacterium intracellulare and two Mycobacterium chelonae. Of the seven isolates with atypical mycobacteria, 4 (57.1%) were from previously treated patients, while 3 (42.9%) were new sputum positive patients. There was no statistically significant difference in NTM infection between new and previously treated pulmonary TB patients (P =0.97).ConclusionsThe study shows the involvement of atypical mycobacterium in pulmonary infection in both new and previously treated TB patients. Therefore, there is a need to carry out culture and drug susceptibility testing in all pulmonary TB patients especially those who had failed conventional DOTS treatment to rule out NTM infections.     

Normal chest radiography in pulmonary tuberculosis: implications for obtaining respiratory specimen cultures.

SETTING: Urban tuberculosis (TB) clinic, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. OBJECTIVE: Chest radiographs (CXRs) help in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB, but may be normal. Mycobacterium tuberculosis in culture is diagnostic of TB, but cultures are not routinely obtained in resource-poor settings. We examined rates and risk factors for pulmonary TB associated with normal CXR. DESIGN: An observational cohort study was performed among all respiratory culture-positive TB cases referred to the Nashville Health Department from October 1992 to July 2003. Clinical factors, demographics and underlying medical conditions were assessed. RESULTS: Of 601 study patients, 53 (9%) had normal CXRs: 31/138 (22%) were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and 22/463 (5%) were non-HIV-infected/unknown (P<0.001). Among HIV-infected patients, normal CXR was more likely in persons with renal failure (13% vs. 3%, P=0.048). Among non-HIV-infected/unknown patients, normal CXR was more likely in those who were asymptomatic at presentation (32% vs. 13%, P=0.022). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, HIV infection was associated with an increased risk of normal CXR (odds ratio [OR] 6.61, P<0.0001); factors associated with reduced risk were dyspnea (OR 0.24, P=0.026), positive sputum smear (OR 0.45, P=0.028) and cough (OR 0.48, P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of normal CXR among persons with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB was high. Respiratory specimen cultures should be obtained in TB suspects with a normal CXR, particularly HIV-infected persons.     

How to identify tuberculosis cases in a prevalence survey

The identification of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) cases in a prevalence survey is a challenge, as diagnostic methods are labour-intensive and large numbers of individuals need to be screened because the prevalence rate is low (almost never greater than 1,200 per 100,000 population). Three testing methods are used: questionnaires, chest radiography (CXR) and bacteriological tests, including sputum smear microscopy and culture. These methods can be applied in four strategies to identify cases. The most sensitive strategy is to apply all methods to each eligible individual. The next most sensitive option is to apply the questionnaire, CXR and sputum smear microscopy to each eligible individual and obtain sputum for culture from those individuals with symptoms, abnormalities on the CXR or a positive smear. If laboratory capacity is limited, screening using symptom enquiry and CXR can be used to select those individuals at highest risk of TB. These individuals are then requested to submit sputum for smear microscopy and culture. If neither CXR nor culture is available, sputum samples may be collected from all eligible individuals and examined by an enhanced microscopy method such as fluorescence microscopy. Case definitions are ideally based on the combined results of symptom enquiry, CXR and bacteriology.     

Unexpected pulmonary involvement in extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the utility of sputum examinations and chest radiographs (CXRs) in patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (XPTB) to detect pulmonary involvement of tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: We studied 72 XPTB patients who were managed through the TB Program, King County, WA, from January 2003 through November 2004. RESULTS: The two most common sites of XPTB were the lymph nodes (36 [50%]) and pleura (12 [17%]). Thirty-five of 72 XPTB patients (49%) had abnormal CXR findings. Sputum was not obtained from 15 patients despite sputum induction. Of the 57 patients from whom sputum was collected, 30 (53%) had abnormal CXR findings, 5 (9%) had sputum smears that were positive for acid-fast bacilli, and 12 (21%) had sputum cultures that were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Weight loss was significantly associated with positive sputum culture findings in a multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 18.72; p = 0.049). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of positive sputum culture results between patients with abnormal CXR findings and those with normal CXR findings (7 of 30 patients [23%] vs 5 of 27 patients [19%], respectively; p = 0.656). Of 24 HIV-negative XPTB patients with normal CXR findings, 2 patients (8%) had positive sputum culture findings. CONCLUSIONS: CXR results did not reliably differentiate XPTB patients with and without positive sputum culture findings. Some XPTB patients had positive sputum culture results despite normal CXR findings and negative HIV status. Weight loss in XPTB patients was associated with positive sputum culture results. Sputum examinations in XPTB patients, regardless of the CXR results, may identify potentially infectious cases of TB.     

深圳市某看守所结核病调查结果分析

目的了解羁押人群结核病发病情况,为今后羁押人群结核病防治工作的开展提供理论依据。方法对深圳市某看守所4 228名羁押人员进行胸部X线缩影片筛查,可疑肺部阴影者全部行X线胸片复查和痰涂片3次检查。结果X线胸片异常阴影92例,其中稳定性病灶34例（37.0%）,活动性病灶50例（54.3%）（6例新发涂阳肺结核）,8例感染病灶。44例涂阴肺结核病人中,入看守所前有结核病史11例（25%）;6例新发涂阳肺结核均有症状,44例涂阴肺结核中,有症状者17例（38.6%）;活动性病灶、临床症状和最终确诊时间均大多发生在入看守所后26个月和612个月2个时间段内。结论看守所羁押人员结核病患病率显著高于社区,且症状不典型,存在延迟诊断的问题。     

在DOTS管理下应用国产4药固定剂量复合剂治疗初治菌阳肺结核的可行性研究

目的评价在DOTS管理下应用4药(HRZE)固定剂量复合剂(FDC),和2药(HR)的抗结核疗效及不良反应。方法将225例初治涂阳肺结核患者,随机分为治疗组(2个月4药FDC/4个月2药FDC)和对照组(2HRZE/4HR),观察近期痰菌阴转率、X线病变改变情况及不良反应。结果治疗组和对照组2个月痰菌阴转率分别为94.6%、93.8%;满疗程痰菌阴转率分别为99.1%、96.5%;胸部X线明显改善,治疗组和对照组病灶吸收率分别为98.2%和97.4%;2组空洞闭合率分别为72.2%和56.4%;治疗组和对照组各有4例和3例肝功异常。结论国产4药固定剂量复合剂是一种安全、高效、易被患者接受的抗结核药物制剂。且有很好的依从性,适于在国内广泛推广应用。