Brevundimonas spp. infection in immunocompromised children: Two case reports.

Introduction: Brevundimonas spp. are rare and opportunistic pathogens which may cause infections in patients who are immunocompromised or have underlying disease. Case report: Two cases with a microbiological diagnosis of Brevundimonas aurantiaca and Brevundimonas spp. are presented. Both occurred in immunocompromised patients with post-chemotherapy febrile neutropenia for B-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia and hepatoblastoma. Antibiogram findings showed resistance to quinolones, ceftazidime, and intermediate resistance to cefepime, being susceptible to carbapenems and aminoglycosides. The cases responded favorably to the administration of carbapenem. Conclusions: The identification of the species and antimicrobial susceptibility profile favor response to infection, denoting the importance of species identification and the performance of an antibiogram to determine the different susceptibility profiles described in the literature on this emerging pathogen.

Congenital toxoplasmosis with severe neurological disease in a referral hospital in Peru. / Toxoplasmosis congénita con enfermedad neurológica severa en un hospital de referencia del Perú.

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of patients diagnosed with congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) with severe neurological disease. We reviewed the medical records of patients under 1 year of age with positive IgM test for Toxoplasma gondii and brain, eye, and/or hearing involvement. This study was carried out at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño San Borja (INSNSB), Lima, Peru. Twenty-one patients diagnosed with CT were evaluated; 57.1% were female, and the median age at diagnosis was 3.1 months (IQR: 1.7-7.3). The main central nervous system manifestations were hydrocephalus (76.2%), intracranial calcifications (52.4%), microcephaly (42.9%), and convulsions (25.6%); the most frequent ocular manifestation was chorioretinitis (38.1%). In conclusion, 64% of CT cases had one or more manifestations of severe neurological disease.

El propósito del presente estudio fue describir las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, y terapéuticas de pacientes con diagnóstico de toxoplasmosis congénita (TC) con enfermedad neurológica severa. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes menores de 1 año con serología IgM positiva para Toxoplasma gondii y compromiso encefálico, ocular y/o auditivo. El estudio se realizó en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño San Borja (INSN-SB) en Lima, Perú. Se evaluaron a 21 pacientes con diagnóstico de TC, el 57,1% fueron del sexo femenino y la mediana de edad al momento del diagnóstico fue 3,1 meses (RIC: 1,7-7,3). Las principales manifestaciones del sistema nervioso central fueron hidrocefalia (76,2%), calcificaciones intracraneales (52,4%), microcefalia (42,9%), y convulsiones (25,6%); la manifestación ocular más frecuente fue la coriorretinitis (38,1%). En conclusión, 64% de los casos de TC tuvieron una o más manifestaciones de enfermedad neurológica severa.

Primary renal aspergillosis in a newborn: a case report and review of the literature on children.

BACKGROUND: Primary renal aspergillosis is uncommon and mainly affects people with immune system impairment and/or genitourinary disease. CASE: We report the case of a male newborn with Down syndrome and congenital heart disease, who underwent surgery for anorectal malformation and presented persistent fever and impaired kidney function secondary to kidney abscesses due to Aspergillus. The patient responded favorably to antifungal treatment and percutaneous drainage but died following heart surgery. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, only seven cases of renal aspergillosis have been reported in children worldwide, this being the second in a newborn. Aspergillus species must be considered among the fungal etiological agents of genitourinary tract infections in order to establish adequate antifungal treatment to achieve therapeutic success against filamentous fungi.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cystic echinococcosis in children from a tertiary center in Peru. / Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de equinococosis quística en niños de un centro terciario en Perú.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) in children is a public health problem. To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of CE, we reviewed the records of 55 children admitted to our institution with a confirmed diagnosis of CE between 2017-2019, analyzing demographic data, clinical manifestations, and treatment. Of the population, 61.8% (34/55) were male. The mean age was 9.25 years (SD: 2.79); 16.4% had previous CE diagnosis, and 50.9% had contact with dogs. The median time of illness was 2 months. Of the patients, 65.5% had hepatic involvement, 56.4% had pulmonary involvement, and 21.8% had both hepatic and pulmonary involvement. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (80.6%) and cough (80.6%). Surgical treatment was performed in 87.5% of patients with hepatic CE, in 100% of those with pulmonary CE and in 100% of those with hepatic and pulmonary CE. Albendazole was prescribed in 100% of hepatic cases, in 73.7% of pulmonary cases, and in 75% of those with both conditions. Mortality was not reported.

La equinococosis quística (EQ) en niños es un problema de salud pública. Para describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la EQ se revisaron los registros de 55 niños con diagnóstico confirmado de EQ admitidos entre 2017 y 2019 en un centro quirúrgico referencial del Perú. Se analizaron los datos demográficos, las manifestaciones clínicas y el tratamiento. El 61,8% (34/55) de los niños fue de sexo masculino. La edad promedio fue de 9,25 años (DE: 2,79); un 16,4% tuvo diagnóstico previo de EQ, y un 50,9% tuvo contacto con perros. La mediana de tiempo de enfermedad fue de dos meses. El 65,5% tuvo afectación hepática, el 56,4% pulmonar y el 21,8% hepática y pulmonar. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron dolor abdominal (80,6%) y tos (80,6%). El tratamiento quirúrgico se realizó en el 87,5% de los casos con EQ hepática y en el 100% de los casos con EQ pulmonar y EQ hepática y pulmonar. Se prescribió albendazol en el 100% de casos hepáticos, en el 73,7% de casos pulmonares y en el 75% de ambas afectaciones. No se reporta mortalidad.

Toxoplasmosis congénita con enfermedad neurológica severa en un hospital de referencia del Perú / Congenital toxoplasmosis with severe neurological disease in a referral hospital in Peru

RESUMEN El propósito del presente estudio fue describir las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, y terapéuticas de pacientes con diagnóstico de toxoplasmosis congénita (TC) con enfermedad neurológica severa. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes menores de 1 año con serología IgM positiva para Toxoplasma gondii y compromiso encefálico, ocular y/o auditivo. El estudio se realizó en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño San Borja (INSN-SB) en Lima, Perú. Se evaluaron a 21 pacientes con diagnóstico de TC, el 57,1% fueron del sexo femenino y la mediana de edad al momento del diagnóstico fue 3,1 meses (RIC: 1,7-7,3). Las principales manifestaciones del sistema nervioso central fueron hidrocefalia (76,2%), calcificaciones intracraneales (52,4%), microcefalia (42,9%), y convulsiones (25,6%); la manifestación ocular más frecuente fue la coriorretinitis (38,1%). En conclusión, 64% de los casos de TC tuvieron una o más manifestaciones de enfermedad neurológica severa.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of patients diagnosed with congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) with severe neurological disease. We reviewed the medical records of patients under 1 year of age with positive IgM test for Toxoplasma gondii and brain, eye, and/or hearing involvement. This study was carried out at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño San Borja (INSNSB), Lima, Peru. Twenty-one patients diagnosed with CT were evaluated; 57.1% were female, and the median age at diagnosis was 3.1 months (IQR: 1.7-7.3). The main central nervous system manifestations were hydrocephalus (76.2%), intracranial calcifications (52.4%), microcephaly (42.9%), and convulsions (25.6%); the most frequent ocular manifestation was chorioretinitis (38.1%). In conclusion, 64% of CT cases had one or more manifestations of severe neurological disease.

Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de equinococosis quística en niños de un centro terciario en Perú / Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cystic echinococcosis in children from a tertiary center in Peru

RESUMEN La equinococosis quística (EQ) en niños es un problema de salud pública. Para describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la EQ se revisaron los registros de 55 niños con diagnóstico confirmado de EQ admitidos entre 2017 y 2019 en un centro quirúrgico referencial del Perú. Se analizaron los datos demográficos, las manifestaciones clínicas y el tratamiento. El 61,8% (34/55) de los niños fue de sexo masculino. La edad promedio fue de 9,25 años (DE: 2,79); un 16,4% tuvo diagnóstico previo de EQ, y un 50,9% tuvo contacto con perros. La mediana de tiempo de enfermedad fue de dos meses. El 65,5% tuvo afectación hepática, el 56,4% pulmonar y el 21,8% hepática y pulmonar. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron dolor abdominal (80,6%) y tos (80,6%). El tratamiento quirúrgico se realizó en el 87,5% de los casos con EQ hepática y en el 100% de los casos con EQ pulmonar y EQ hepática y pulmonar. Se prescribió albendazol en el 100% de casos hepáticos, en el 73,7% de casos pulmonares y en el 75% de ambas afectaciones. No se reporta mortalidad.

ABSTRACT Cystic echinococcosis (CE) in children is a public health problem. To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of CE, we reviewed the records of 55 children admitted to our institution with a confirmed diagnosis of CE between 2017-2019, analyzing demographic data, clinical manifestations, and treatment. Of the population, 61.8% (34/55) were male. The mean age was 9.25 years (SD: 2.79); 16.4% had previous CE diagnosis, and 50.9% had contact with dogs. The median time of illness was 2 months. Of the patients, 65.5% had hepatic involvement, 56.4% had pulmonary involvement, and 21.8% had both hepatic and pulmonary involvement. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (80.6%) and cough (80.6%). Surgical treatment was performed in 87.5% of patients with hepatic CE, in 100% of those with pulmonary CE and in 100% of those with hepatic and pulmonary CE. Albendazole was prescribed in 100% of hepatic cases, in 73.7% of pulmonary cases, and in 75% of those with both conditions. Mortality was not reported.

Antifungal Prophylaxis With Posaconazole in Immunocompromised Children Younger Than 13 Years.

OBJECTIVE: Prophylaxis with posaconazole (PP) is effective in the prevention of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised adult patients. However, evaluation of its effectiveness and safety in children is limited. The aim of the study was to describe the use of posaconazole as antifungal prophylaxis in children. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of immunocompromised patients younger than 13 years with hematologic diseases and post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) who received antifungal PP at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño San Borja (INSN-SB) in Lima, Peru, from January 2014 to December 2018. RESULTS: Fifty-six courses of PP were identified in 47 patients with a median age of 7.5 years (IQR, 4-10), 51.6% (n = 24) of whom were female. The main underlying medical conditions were aplastic anemia (n = 19, 33.9%), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 18, 32.1%), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 14, 25.0%), and 34.1% had undergone HSCT. The median dose of posaconazole was 13.62 mg/kg/day (IQR, 12.0-16.8), and the median duration of PP was 24 days (IQR, 16-82). Gastrointestinal symptoms included abdominal pain (17.9%), nausea (16.1%), diarrhea (7.1%), and vomiting (3.6%). Elevated alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were observed in 9/35 patients (25.7%) and 10/51 (19.6%) patients, respectively. Five cases of breakthrough fungal infection were identified (8.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients younger than 13 years who received PP showed an increase in transaminase values, and the development of breakthrough fungal infections.

Paracoccidioidomicosis sistémica con compromiso del apéndice cecal en un niño: reporte de caso / Systemic paracoccidioidomycosis with compromise of the cecal appendix in a child: case report

RESUMEN La paracoccidioidomicosis es la micosis sistémica más prevalente en Latinoamérica. En niños la presentación clínica más frecuente es la forma juvenil o aguda/subaguda, que compromete principalmente los ganglios linfáticos y en menor proporción los órganos gastrointestinales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 10 años, sin comorbilidades, con dolor agudo en fosa iliaca derecha; además de historia de un mes de evolución de diarrea, fiebre, pérdida de peso e hipereosinofilia. Fue diagnosticado de apendicitis aguda secundaria a un cuadro de paracoccidioidomicosis sistémica, mediante histopatología del apéndice cecal y ganglios mesentéricos. Tuvo respuesta favorable al tratamiento con anfotericina B liposomal. A pesar de que la paracoccidioidomicosis sistémica con compromiso del apéndice cecal es infrecuente, debe considerarse como parte de los diagnósticos diferenciales en niños con linfadenomegalias generalizadas y procedentes de áreas endémicas.

ABSTRACT Paracoccidioidomycosis, the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. In children the most common clinical presentation is the juvenile or acute/subacute form, which mainly involves the lymph nodes and in a lesser proportion the gastrointestinal organs. We present the case of a 10-year-old patient, without comorbidities, who presented acute right iliac fossa pain; in addition to a history of 1 month of evolution of diarrhea, fever, weight loss, and hypereosinophilia. Was diagnosed of acute appendicitis due to systemic paracoccidioidomycosis, through histopathology of the cecal appendix and mesenteric lymph nodes. Although systemic paracoccidioidomycosis with involvement of the cecal appendix is ​​rare, it should be considered as part of the differential diagnoses in children and young adults with generalized lymphadenomegaly from endemic areas.

[Systemic paracoccidioidomycosis with compromise of the cecal appendix in a child: case report]. / Paracoccidioidomicosis sistémica con compromiso del apéndice cecal en un niño: reporte de caso.

Paracoccidioidomycosis, the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. In children the most common clinical presentation is the juvenile or acute/subacute form, which mainly involves the lymph nodes and in a lesser proportion the gastrointestinal organs. We present the case of a 10-year-old patient, without comorbidities, who presented acute right iliac fossa pain; in addition to a history of 1 month of evolution of diarrhea, fever, weight loss, and hypereosinophilia. Was diagnosed of acute appendicitis due to systemic paracoccidioidomycosis, through histopathology of the cecal appendix and mesenteric lymph nodes. Although systemic paracoccidioidomycosis with involvement of the cecal appendix is ​​rare, it should be considered as part of the differential diagnoses in children and young adults with generalized lymphadenomegaly from endemic areas.

La paracoccidioidomicosis es la micosis sistémica más prevalente en Latinoamérica. En niños la presentación clínica más frecuente es la forma juvenil o aguda/subaguda, que compromete principalmente los ganglios linfáticos y en menor proporción los órganos gastrointestinales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 10 años, sin comorbilidades, con dolor agudo en fosa iliaca derecha; además de historia de un mes de evolución de diarrea, fiebre, pérdida de peso e hipereosinofilia. Fue diagnosticado de apendicitis aguda secundaria a un cuadro de paracoccidioidomicosis sistémica, mediante histopatología del apéndice cecal y ganglios mesentéricos. Tuvo respuesta favorable al tratamiento con anfotericina B liposomal. A pesar de que la paracoccidioidomicosis sistémica con compromiso del apéndice cecal es infrecuente, debe considerarse como parte de los diagnósticos diferenciales en niños con linfadenomegalias generalizadas y procedentes de áreas endémicas.

Exhaled Nitric Oxide is Not a Biomarker for Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

To reduce transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in resource-limited countries where TB remains a major cause of mortality, novel diagnostic tools are urgently needed. We evaluated the fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) as an easily measured, noninvasive potential biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response in participants with pulmonary TB including multidrug resistant-TB in Lima, Peru. In a longitudinal study however, we found no differences in baseline median FeNO levels between 38 TB participants and 93 age-matched controls (13 parts per billion [ppb] [interquartile range (IQR) = 8-26] versus 15 ppb [IQR = 12-24]), and there was no change over 60 days of treatment (15 ppb [IQR = 10-19] at day 60). Taking this and previous evidence together, we conclude FeNO is not of value in either the diagnosis of pulmonary TB or as a marker of treatment response.

Cough Frequency During Treatment Associated With Baseline Cavitary Volume and Proximity to the Airway in Pulmonary TB.

BACKGROUND: Cough frequency, and its duration, is a biomarker that can be used in low-resource settings without the need of laboratory culture and has been associated with transmission and treatment response. Radiologic characteristics associated with increased cough frequency may be important in understanding transmission. The relationship between cough frequency and cavitary lung disease has not been studied. METHODS: We analyzed data in 41 adults who were HIV negative and had culture-confirmed, drug-susceptible pulmonary TB throughout treatment. Cough recordings were based on the Cayetano Cough Monitor, and sputum samples were evaluated using microscopic observation drug susceptibility broth culture; among culture-positive samples, bacillary burden was assessed by means of time to positivity. CT scans were analyzed by a US-board-certified radiologist and a computer-automated algorithm. The algorithm evaluated cavity volume and cavitary proximity to the airway. CT scans were obtained within 1 month of treatment initiation. We compared small cavities (≤ 7 mL) and large cavities (> 7 mL) and cavities located closer to (≤ 10 mm) and farther from (> 10 mm) the airway to cough frequency and cough cessation until treatment day 60. RESULTS: Cough frequency during treatment was twofold higher in participants with large cavity volumes (rate ratio [RR], 1.98; P = .01) and cavities located closer to the airway (RR, 2.44; P = .001). Comparably, cough ceased three times faster in participants with smaller cavities (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.89; P = .06) and those farther from the airway (adjusted HR, 3.61;, P = .02). Similar results were found for bacillary burden and culture conversion during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cough frequency during treatment is greater and lasts longer in patients with larger cavities, especially those closer to the airway.

Platelets Regulate Pulmonary Inflammation and Tissue Destruction in Tuberculosis.

RATIONALE: Platelets may interact with the immune system in tuberculosis (TB) to regulate human inflammatory responses that lead to morbidity and spread of infection. OBJECTIVES: To identify a functional role of platelets in the innate inflammatory and matrix-degrading response in TB. METHODS: Markers of platelet activation were examined in plasma from 50 patients with TB before treatment and 50 control subjects. Twenty-five patients were followed longitudinally. Platelet-monocyte interactions were studied in a coculture model infected with live, virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) and dissected using qRT-PCR, Luminex multiplex arrays, matrix degradation assays, and colony counts. Immunohistochemistry detected CD41 (cluster of differentiation 41) expression in a pulmonary TB murine model, and secreted platelet factors were measured in BAL fluid from 15 patients with TB and matched control subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Five of six platelet-associated mediators were upregulated in plasma of patients with TB compared with control subjects, with concentrations returning to baseline by Day 60 of treatment. Gene expression of the monocyte collagenase MMP-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1) was upregulated by platelets in M.tb infection. Platelets also enhanced M.tb-induced MMP-1 and -10 secretion, which drove type I collagen degradation. Platelets increased monocyte IL-1 and IL-10 and decreased IL-12 and MDC (monocyte-derived chemokine; also known as CCL-22) secretion, as consistent with an M2 monocyte phenotype. Monocyte killing of intracellular M.tb was decreased. In the lung, platelets were detected in a TB mouse model, and secreted platelet mediators were upregulated in human BAL fluid and correlated with MMP and IL-1ß concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Platelets drive a proinflammatory, tissue-degrading phenotype in TB.

Dynamics of Cough Frequency in Adults Undergoing Treatment for Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Background: Cough is the major determinant of tuberculosis transmission. Despite this, there is a paucity of information regarding characteristics of cough frequency throughout the day and in response to tuberculosis therapy. Here we evaluate the circadian cycle of cough, cough frequency risk factors, and the impact of appropriate treatment on cough and bacillary load. Methods: We prospectively evaluated human immunodeficiency virus-negative adults (n = 64) with a new diagnosis of culture-proven, drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis immediately prior to treatment and repeatedly until treatment day 62. At each time point, participant cough was recorded (n = 670) and analyzed using the Cayetano Cough Monitor. Consecutive coughs at least 2 seconds apart were counted as separate cough episodes. Sputum samples (n = 426) were tested with microscopic-observation drug susceptibility broth culture, and in culture-positive samples (n = 252), the time to culture positivity was used to estimate bacillary load. Results: The highest cough frequency occurred from 1 pm to 2 pm, and the lowest from 1 am to 2 am (2.4 vs 1.1 cough episodes/hour, respectively). Cough frequency was higher among participants who had higher sputum bacillary load (P < .01). Pretreatment median cough episodes/hour was 2.3 (interquartile range [IQR], 1.2-4.1), which at 14 treatment days decreased to 0.48 (IQR, 0.0-1.4) and at the end of the study decreased to 0.18 (IQR, 0.0-0.59) (both reductions P < .001). By 14 treatment days, the probability of culture conversion was 29% (95% confidence interval, 19%-41%). Conclusions: Coughs were most frequent during daytime. Two weeks of appropriate treatment significantly reduced cough frequency and resulted in one-third of participants achieving culture conversion. Thus, treatment by 2 weeks considerably diminishes, but does not eliminate, the potential for airborne tuberculosis transmission.

Protocol for studying cough frequency in people with pulmonary tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: Cough is a key symptom of tuberculosis (TB) as well as the main cause of transmission. However, a recent literature review found that cough frequency (number of coughs per hour) in patients with TB has only been studied once, in 1969. The main aim of this study is to describe cough frequency patterns before and after the start of TB treatment and to determine baseline factors that affect cough frequency in these patients. Secondarily, we will evaluate the correlation between cough frequency and TB microbiological resolution. METHODS: This study will select participants with culture confirmed TB from 2 tertiary hospitals in Lima, Peru. We estimated that a sample size of 107 patients was sufficient to detect clinically significant changes in cough frequency. Participants will initially be evaluated through questionnaires, radiology, microscopic observation drug susceptibility broth TB-culture, auramine smear microscopy and cough recordings. This cohort will be followed for the initial 60 days of anti-TB treatment, and throughout the study several microbiological samples as well as 24 h recordings will be collected. We will describe the variability of cough episodes and determine its association with baseline laboratory parameters of pulmonary TB. In addition, we will analyse the reduction of cough frequency in predicting TB cure, adjusted for potential confounders. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained from the ethics committees at each participating hospital in Lima, Peru, Asociación Benéfica PRISMA in Lima, Peru, the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA. We aim to publish and disseminate our findings in peer-reviewed journals. We also expect to create and maintain an online repository for TB cough sounds as well as the statistical analysis employed.

Validation of an automated cough detection algorithm for tracking recovery of pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

BACKGROUND: A laboratory-free test for assessing recovery from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) would be extremely beneficial in regions of the world where laboratory facilities are lacking. Our hypothesis is that analysis of cough sound recordings may provide such a test. In the current paper, we present validation of a cough analysis tool. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Cough data was collected from a cohort of TB patients in Lima, Peru and 25.5 hours of recordings were manually annotated by clinical staff. Analysis software was developed and validated by comparison to manual scoring. Because many patients cough in bursts, coughing was characterized in terms of cough epochs. Our software correctly detects 75.5% of cough episodes with a specificity of 99.6% (comparable to past results using the same definition) and a median false positive rate of 4 false positives/hour, due to the noisy, real-world nature of our dataset. We then manually review detected coughs to eliminate false positives, in effect using the algorithm as a pre-screening tool that reduces reviewing time to roughly 5% of the recording length. This cough analysis approach provides a foundation to support larger-scale studies of coughing rates over time for TB patients undergoing treatment.

Cough detection algorithm for monitoring patient recovery from pulmonary tuberculosis.

In regions of the world where tuberculosis (TB) poses the greatest disease burden, the lack of access to skilled laboratories is a significant problem. A lab-free method for assessing patient recovery during treatment would be of great benefit, particularly for identifying patients who may have drug-resistant tuberculosis. We hypothesize that cough analysis may provide such a test. In this paper we describe algorithm development in support of a pilot study of TB patient coughing. We describe several approaches to event detection and classification, and show preliminary data which suggest that cough count decreases after the start of treatment in drug-responsive patients. Our eventual goal is development of a low-cost ambulatory cough analysis system that will help identify patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis.