An evaluation of symptom and chest radiographic screening in tuberculosis prevalence surveys.

SETTING: A tuberculosis (TB) prevalence survey was performed in 2002 in two urban communities in Cape Town, South Africa. The population was 36,334 in 2001, and the TB notification rate was 341 per 100,000 population for new smear-positive TB in 2002. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative contributions of symptom and chest radiographic (CXR) screening in the detection of subjects with smear- and/or culture-positive TB in prevalence surveys. DESIGN: Information on symptoms, CXR abnormalities, sputum smear and culture was gathered from a random cluster sample of 1170 adults (aged > or = 15 years). Smear and/or culture-positive TB was used as the gold standard. RESULTS: Of 1170 adults, 29 had bacteriologically positive TB (smear- and/or culture-positive). The presence of any abnormalities on CXR had the highest sensitivity for detecting subjects with bacteriologically positive TB (0.97, 95%CI 0.90-1.00). Specificity for any abnormalities on CXR was 0.67 (95%CI 0.64-0.70). The specificity of any of five TB-related symptoms was 0.68 (95%CI 0.65-0.71). Individual symptoms had low sensitivities, ranging from 0.10 for fever to 0.54 for cough of > or = 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: In this TB prevalence survey, CXR screening, but not symptom screening, was a sensitive alternative to sputum examination of all participants.     

Assessment of Exposure of Larval Razorback Sucker to Selenium in Natural Waters

This investigation evaluated effects of exposure of larval razorback sucker to waterborne and dietary selenium and other contaminants that occur in nursery habitats. Site waters were collected from three localities on the Colorado River near Grand Junction, CO; a total of five test waters (including control) were studied. Razorback sucker larvae were exposed to site-water contaminants via waterborne and dietary exposure using a laboratory food chain (algae, rotifer, razorback sucker). Fish were exposed for 28 days to site waters and food organisms cultured in site waters. Survival data were analyzed by inspection. Growth data were analyzed using analysis of variance to describe the response of fish in each site water and to describe the relative contribution of waterborne versus dietary exposure to constituents in site waters. Selenium concentrations in test-water treatments ranged from < 1 to 20.3 μg/L in water, < 0.702 to 21.8 μg/g in diet, and 2.34 to 42.0 μg/g in fish. Negative effects from dietary exposure to site-water constituents were detected, but the data suggest that they were caused by cocontaminants in the diet, not selenium exposure. Lack of detection of adverse effects from exposure does not imply that razorback sucker populations are not affected by increased environmental selenium concentrations. There are a variety of factors not included in this investigation that may influence sensitivity of razorback sucker populations to selenium. Received: 25 February 2001/Accepted: 18 June 2001     

Respiratory atopic disease, Ascaris-immunoglobulin E and tuberculin testing in urban South African children

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological relation of intestinal helminth infection and atopic disease, both associated with a T-helper (Th) 2 immune response, is controversial, as it has been reported that helminth infection may either suppress or pre-dispose to atopic disease. This relation has not been tested in an area with a high burden of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection, a known Th1-stimulating infection. OBJECTIVE: To study the association of intestinal helminth infection and atopic disease in a community where helminth infection is endemic and MTB infection is high. METHODS: Three-hundred and fifty-nine randomly selected children aged 6-14 years from a poor urban suburb were tested with allergy questionnaire, skin prick test (SPT) to common aeroallergens, Ascaris-specific IgE (Ascaris-sIgE), fecal examination for pathogenic intestinal helminths and tuberculin skin testing (TST). Histamine bronchoprovocation was tested in the group of children aged 10 years and older. RESULTS: were corrected for demographic variables, socioeconomic status, parental allergy, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in the household, recent anthelminthic treatment and for clustering in the sampling unit. Results Ascaris-sIgE was elevated in 48% of children, Ascaris eggs were found in 15% and TST was positive in 53%. Children with elevated Ascaris-sIgE had significantly increased risk of positive SPT to aeroallergens, particularly house dust mite, atopic asthma (ever and recent), atopic rhinitis (ever and recent) and increased atopy-related bronchial hyper-responsiveness. In children with negative TST (<10 mm), elevated Ascaris-sIgE was associated with significantly increased risk of atopic symptoms (adjusted odds ratio (OR(adj)) 6.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-22.4), whereas in those with positive TST (>/=10 mm) this association disappeared (OR(adj) 0.96; 95% CI 0.4-2.8). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that immune response to Ascaris (Ascaris-sIgE) may be a risk factor of atopic disease in populations exposed to mild Ascaris infection and that MTB infection may be protective against this risk, probably by stimulation of anti-inflammatory networks.     

Mycobacterial infection and atopy in childhood: A systematic review

The epidemiological relation between mycobacterial infection and the prevalence of atopic disease in humans is still unclear. This is in contrast to studies in murine models in which a clear suppression of atopic symptoms was observed after exposure to mycobacteria or mycobacterial products. We therefore wanted to provide a systematic overview of the published literature on the relationship between mycobacterial infection and atopic disease and to evaluate the causal relationship in a meta-analysis. The EMBASE and MEDLINE databases were searched systematically for papers published in the English literature (1966-2005) on the relation between mycobacterial infection and atopic disease. Original observational or interventional studies involving the paediatric population were included. Two authors independently reviewed articles for data on mycobacterial exposure and atopic disease outcome. Any differences were resolved by discussion. Of a total of 1201 hits, 23 studies (19 cross-sectionals, three case-controls and one prospective cohort) met the inclusion criteria. Only a minority of studies (40%) observed an association between mycobacterial infection and the prevalence of atopic disease outcome. In the meta-analysis, only studies containing data on mycobacterial exposure and atopic disease outcome variables were included. Only cross-sectional studies, in which the relation between a positive tuberculin skin test and allergic symptoms was studied, observed statistically significant negative correlation (odds ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.51-0.79). The results of this review show that the evidence of the relationship of mycobacterial infection and atopic disease is based on observations of cross-sectional studies. In a meta-analysis, calculations showed a high level of heterogeneity (I(2)) within studies with similar design making it difficult to pool effects. This may partly be explained by differences in the type and definition of mycobacterial infection and lack of uniformity in the definition of atopy. The results show that only a minority of studies in the literature shows any evidence of inverse relationship between mycobacterial exposure and atopic disease outcome. The fact that the present epidemiological evidence on the relationship between mycobacterial infection and the development of atopic disease is based mainly on cross-sectional observational studies indicates the need for population-based prospective studies to address this issue. This issue needs to be addressed in view of recent suggestions to developing mycobacterial-based vaccines against atopic disease in the future.     

Adherence to isoniazid preventive chemotherapy: a prospective community based study.

BACKGROUND: Current international guidelines recommend 6-9 months of isoniazid (INH) preventive chemotherapy to prevent the development of active tuberculosis in children exposed to a susceptible strain of M tuberculosis. However, this is dependent on good adherence and retrospective studies have indicated that adherence to unsupervised INH preventive chemotherapy is poor. AIM: To prospectively document adherence to six months of unsupervised INH monotherapy and outcome in children with household exposure to an adult pulmonary tuberculosis index case. METHODS: From February 2003 to January 2005 in two suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa, all children <5 years old in household contact with an adult pulmonary tuberculosis index case were screened for tuberculosis and given unsupervised INH preventive chemotherapy once active tuberculosis was excluded. Adherence and outcome were monitored. RESULTS: In total, 217 index cases from 185 households were identified; 274 children <5 years old experienced household exposure, of whom 229 (84%) were fully evaluated. Thirty eight children were treated for tuberculosis and 180 received preventive chemotherapy. Of the children who received preventive chemotherapy, 36/180 (20%) completed > or =5 months of unsupervised INH monotherapy. During the subsequent surveillance period six children developed tuberculosis: two received no preventive chemotherapy, and four had very poor adherence. CONCLUSION: Adherence to six months of unsupervised INH preventive chemotherapy was poor. Strategies to improve adherence, such as using shorter duration multidrug regimens and/or supervision of preventive treatment require further evaluation, particularly in children who are at high risk to progress to disease following exposure.     

A critical review of diagnostic approaches used in the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis.

SETTING: The diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children is seldom confirmed, and is based mainly on clinical signs, symptoms and special investigations. Various attempts in the form of diagnostic approaches have been made to rationalise this diagnostic process. AIMS: To review and describe published diagnostic approaches aimed at diagnosing mainly intrathoracic tuberculosis in children in developing countries; to compare diagnostic approaches with each other and with bacteriologically confirmed TB; and to describe modifications to the diagnosis of TB in HIV-infected or malnourished children. METHODS: Literature review classified into 1) diagnostic approaches, 2) characteristics used in diagnostic approaches, and 3) studies done to validate diagnostic approaches. RESULTS: Sixteen systems were analysed. Comparison of systems is difficult because characteristic definitions and the ranking of characteristics are not standardised, few studies have been performed to validate these diagnostic approaches, and the gold standard of diagnosis is not practicable in most settings. The minority of systems are adapted for HIV-infected and malnourished patients. RECOMMENDATIONS: Characteristic definitions and ranking of characteristics should be standardised. Any new diagnostic approaches developed should be relevant to developing countries with limited resources, a high burden of tuberculosis, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS and a young population. Studies done to validate diagnostic approaches should be conducted scientifically.     

Expansile pneumonia in children caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis: clinical, radiological, and bronchoscopic appearances

A cohort of 24 children with expansile pneumonia caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is described in mostly HIV-noninfected children (n = 22). The children presented with nonresolving pneumonia and a swinging fever (83%). On chest radiography, they had dense opacification with bulging fissures mainly in the upper lobes (75%). On computed tomography, the lobes are consolidated, with areas of liquefacation. Other features visible are enlarged mediastinal lymph adenopathy with ring enhancement (100%), cavities (63%), and tracheal compression (71%). On bronchoscopy, bronchi were obstructed by more than 75% in 20 (83%) of cases. Lymph gland enucleation was required in 42% of cases. Phrenic nerve palsy was present in 3 children, of whom 2 underwent diaphragmatic plication. The children received standard antituberculous therapy, to which prednisone (2 mg/kg/day) was added for 1 month. The mortality was 4% after 6 months of therapy.     

An interinstitutional and interspecialty comparison of treatment outcome data for patients with prostate carcinoma based on predefined prognostic categories and minimum follow-up

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of patients with clinically localized prostate carcinoma remains undefined due in part to the absence of well-designed, prospective, randomized trials. The current study was conducted to compare and contrast outcomes with different forms of therapy for patients with prostate carcinoma who were treated at several institutions using predefined prognostic categories. METHODS: A retrospective study of 6877 men with prostate carcinoma who were treated between 1989 and 1998 at 7 different institutions with 6 different types of therapy was conducted. Five-year actuarial rates of prostate specific antigen (PSA) failure were calculated based on predefined prognostic categories, which included combinations of pretreatment PSA level, tumor stage, and Gleason score. In addition, outcome was calculated using consistent biochemical failure definitions and a minimum, median length of follow-up. RESULTS: Substantial differences in outcome were observed for the same type of treatment and at the same institution, depending on the number of prognostic variables used to define treatment groups. However, estimates of 5-year PSA outcomes after all forms of therapy for low-risk and intermediate-risk patient groups were remarkably similar (regardless of the type of treatment) when all three pretreatment variables were used to define prognostic categories. For patients in high-risk groups, the 5-year PSA outcomes were suboptimal, regardless of the treatment technique used. CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggest that interinstitutional and interspecialty comparisons of treatment outcome for patients with prostate carcinoma are possible but that results must be based on all major prognostic variables to be meaningful. Analyzed in this fashion, 5-year PSA results were similar for patients in low-risk and intermediate-risk groups, regardless of the form of therapy. Findings from prospective, randomized trials using survival (cause specific and overall) as the end point for judging treatment efficacy and longer follow-up will be needed to validate these findings and to identify the most appropriate management option for patients with all stages of disease.