The challenges in diagnosing isolated epididymal tuberculosis (TB) in an adolescent male: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB) is a common form of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) in children. An example of GUTB is epididymal TB, which usually presents unspecific chronic clinical manifestations. Definitive diagnosis can be conducted based on bacteriologic confirmation and histopathologic results, but this is challenging due to the paucibacillary nature of EPTB. Therefore, we reported the challenges in diagnosing isolated epididymal TB in an adolescent male. CASE PRESENTATION: A 16-year-old male presented to respirology clinic with painful swelling of the left scrotum for 3 months before visiting to the hospital. The symptoms were associated with persistent coughing for 2 months, and physical examination of the left scrotum showed swelling accompanied by cardinal signs. A palpable hard mass was found on the left scrotum, with firm borders, measuring 7 × 4 cm. Laboratory examination and tumor markers were within normal limits, although leukocyturia was found, and the urine culture was negative. Genital ultrasound (US) showed epididymitis sinistra with septal hydrocele, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated inhomogeneous left epididymitis with bilateral inguinal lymph node enlargement. Although TB evaluation presented a negative purified protein derivative (PPD) test and bacteriologic examination, chest X-ray (CXR) showed perihilar lymphadenopathy. Based on the clinical and radiologic results suggesting TB, the patient was diagnosed with isolated epididymal TB and received quadruple antituberculosis therapy (ATT) for 6 months. After treatment, the left testicle size started to shrink and was equal to the right testicle, also, there were no signs of inflammation, the body weight increased by 5 kg, and cough disappeared. Sperm analysis at the end of treatment indicated teratozoospermia, which was subsequently treated by the urologic surgery department. CONCLUSIONS: Biopsy and bacteriologic confirmation for TB epididymitis were challenging to perform in the clinical setting. Epididymal TB should be considered in adolescent males with complaints of chronic scrotal swelling and pain. Clinical judgment based on history taking, physical examination, and radiologic features supporting TB features could be helpful in accurate and fast diagnosis for favorable outcome.

Mediastinal teratoma in children: A case series of misdiagnoses in a high-endemic tuberculosis setting.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Mediastinal teratoma is a rare extragonadal teratoma that frequently manifests with non-specific symptoms and is commonly misdiagnosed, particularly in Indonesia, where tuberculosis (TB) is endemic. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we present two cases of children aged 19 months and 17 years old who were referred with chronic nonspecific symptoms of cough, tachypnea, chest pain, and hemoptysis. Both children were initially diagnosed with TB and both completed anti-tuberculosis treatment. After visiting several healthcare facilities, a mediastinal mass was finally diagnosed and they all underwent thoracotomy without any further complication. The histopathology findings revealed mature teratoma. All patients had satisfactory outcomes at follow-up visits. CLINICAL DISCUSSIONS: Patients presented with non-specific symptoms are often clinically diagnosed with TB. However, primary healthcare doctors should consider other differential diagnoses when a child has non-specific respiratory symptoms, especially when chest X-ray findings are nonspecific and TB workup is negative. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of mediastinal masses is still challenging in Indonesia, as the diagnosis requires a vast array of work-up examinations, therefore, early recognition and referral are crucial for management.

Bedaquiline (BDQ) resistance in an adolescent with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB): An alarm for pediatricians.

Bedaquiline (BDQ) use for all age groups in drug-resistant (DR) tuberculosis (TB) regimens for children may be shorter, safer, and more effective. However, the emergence of BDQ resistance reports soon after its introduction is alarming. We report the case of a 17-year-old boy, initially diagnosed with Rifampicin-resistant (RR)-TB and developed BDQ resistance during the treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BDQ resistance in pediatric.

Diagnostic challenges of an atypical presentation of ear and mastoiditis tuberculosis in a-5-year-old child in a developing country: A case report and review of literature.

We report a case of a 5-year-old girl who came to Otolaryngology Outpatient Clinic of our hospital with the chief complaint of recurrent ear discharge which had started to appear since 3 years ago and had recurred every month despite repeated antibiotics and antifungals ear drops treatments, given by general practitioners and otolaryngologists. Gram staining, acid-fast staining and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture examination from the discharge had never been conducted. There was a history of inadequate weight increment since she was 2 years old. Her uncle who often met her died about 6 months ago due to TB disease. She was initially diagnosed with otitis media from the previous clinicians before finally referred to our hospital due to the perforated tympanic membrane. Otoscope examination showed perforated tympanic membrane. CT scan showed right osteomastoiditis with cholesteatoma with destruction of right mastoid antrum and right ear bone. We did not find pale-looking granulomatous tissue or multiple perforated tympanic membrane. The patient was diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) of the right ear with right mastoiditis and right posterior auricle fistulae. Afterwards, canal wall up, canaloplasty, mastoid obliteration, tympanoplasty, and rotational flap right ear were performed. Histopathology examination revealed the presence of caseous necrosis and datia langhans cells. Based on her chronic illness supported by the histopathological findings, anti-tuberculosis therapy was commenced. No more ear discharge complained and her body weight started to increase after oral anti tuberculosis treatment.

Cytomegalovirus pneumonitis in infants: The challenge in diagnosis among pediatricians.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis infections might present mild or severe illnesses and need sophisticated diagnostic tools, so it remains a diagnostic challenge. We reported five infants diagnosed with CMV pneumonitis who were initially and undiagnosed by the pediatrician in secondary private or public health hospitals with no improvement with standard and escalation of antibiotics treatment for bronchopneumonia as the initial diagnoses. As all cases occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, they proved negative COVID-19 identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) SARS-CoV-2. We diagnosed acquired perinatal pneumonitis CMV in all claims based on clinical criteria, imaging studies, CMV serology, and PCR-CMV urinary tests as diagnostic tools. They showed clinical improvement after two weeks of valganciclovir therapy. Other organs' involvement was considered to be evaluated, including brain-evoked response audiometry (BERA) and eye examination. The physician should consider the possibility of CMV pneumonitis, who did not respond to standard and escalation of antibiotics treatment after initial diagnoses of bronchopneumonia.

Case Report: Congenital disseminated tuberculosis neonate born to tuberculosis- COVID-19 mother.

We report a case of a 26-day-old male neonate with high suggestive of congenital disseminated tuberculosis (TB) [tuberculous meningitis (TBM), pulmonary TB, and ocular TB] at term, low birth weight born cesarean section from a confirmed COVID-19 and pulmonary TB mother who hospitalized in the isolation room and never seen her son for three weeks. The baby had a fever for two weeks after birth and a history of seizures. A nasopharyngeal swab for RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 yielded a negative result. He was initially diagnosed as having a sepsis-like syndrome and then hospitalized. Chest x-ray revealed bilateral infiltrate, cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF) showed clear, cell count was 9 with dominant mononuclear cell, and gastric lavages did not yield acid-fast bacilli. X-pert MTB/RIF from gastric lavage specimen detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis rifampicin sensitive. Anti-tuberculosis drugs for TBM were started. Abdominal sonography identified multiple hypoechoic nodules in the liver and spleen. Neuroimaging studies did not identify hydrocephalus, meningeal enhancement, infarct, or tuberculoma. A Video-EEG examination showed electrical seizure after initiation of phenobarbital. Video-EEG evaluation showed no epileptiform discharge. Upon follow-up, he showed slightly delayed motor development, pan-uveitis, retinal detachment, and cataracts. We assumed that ocular TB resulted from a paradoxical reaction following TB treatment. Retinal detachment was improved and lens replacement was done.

The Omicron variant of concern: The genomics, diagnostics, and clinical characteristics in children.

Since WHO announced the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone several mutations, with the most recent variant first identified in South Africa in November 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC B.1.1.529) named by WHO as Omicron. To date, it has undergone more mutations compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly, in the S gene that encodes the spike protein, which can cause S gene target failure in some PCR kits. Since its discovery, the Omicron variant has caused a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases worldwide and was responsible for a record of 15 million new COVID-19 cases reported globally in a single week, although this may be an underestimate. Since January 2022, Omicron subvariants with variable genetic characteristics, BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, BA.5, and BA.2.12.2 have been identified, with several countries reporting BA.1.1 was the major subvariant (27.42%), followed by BA.2 (25.19%). At the begining of May 2022, BA.2.12.1 mostly (42%) was detected in the United States. Like adults, the clinical manifestations of the Omicron variant in children are similar to the previous variants consisting of fever, cough, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and diarrhea, with some reports on croup-like symptoms and seizures. Though it presents apparently milder disease than the Delta variant, it is significantly more contagious and has caused more hospitalizations, especially in unvaccinated children younger than 5 years and unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adults. However, there is insufficient evidence yet to distinguish the Omicron variant from the other variants based solely on the clinical manifestations, therefore, this review presents a brief literature review of the most current evidence and data related to Omicron.

Acute Lower Respiratory Infection Profile in Children at Tertiary Hospital Bandung: Is There a Difference Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic?

This study aims to analyze differences of the prevalence and characteristics of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in children at tertiary hospital before and during COVID-19 pandemic. This was an observational analytic study with cross-sectional design involving pediatric patients based on the time of the study which was in 1 year-prepandemic (A) and 1 year-pandemic period (B). For period A inpatient data were retrieved from medical records and period B used pediatric ALRI registry. The ALRI characteristics were analyzed with significance if P < .05. Prevalence in periods A and B were 5.8% (534/9252) and 4.9% (409/8283), respectively. The characteristics of ALRI for clinical, comorbidities, laboratory findings (NLR, TLC), and chest radiograph showed significant differences (P < .05). ALRI as manifestation of confirmed COVID-19 were identified in 16 (4.9%) cases. Prevalence of ALRI in children during COVID-19 pandemic is lower compared to before. There are differences in the characteristics of ALRI in pediatrics.

Polymorphisms of SLCO1B1 Gene in Sundanese Ethnic Population of Tuberculosis Patients in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: The blood level of rifampicin, one of the tuberculosis (TB) drugs, depends on the organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) in hepatocytes. This protein is encoded by the solute carrier organic anion 1B1 (SLCO1B1) gene. Its genetic variation has been reported to have an impact on clinical outcomes and drug efficacy. However, the polymorphism in the SLCO1B1 gene has not been examined in Indonesia yet. We aimed to identify the frequency of polymorphism in SLCO1B1 gene among pulmonary TB patients in Bandung, Indonesia. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted in West Java. 145 pulmonary TB patients who were treated with first-line drugs treatment (including rifampicin 450 mg daily) were analyzed for polymorphism in SLCO1B1 gene. Patients aged between 18-64 years old and mainly came from Sundanese ethnic group (92.4%). Genetic variants were detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Polymorphism of c.463C>A(rs11045819) was not identified, while heterozygous and homozygous polymorphism of c.85-7793C>T(rs4149032) were identified in 74 (51.0%) and 56 (38.6%) patients, respectively. The minor allele frequency (MAF) of T (mutant) allele of c.85-7793C>T(rs4149032) was 64.13% (186/209), higher than in the general population, which the MAF of rs4149032 is 53.6% based on 1000 genome database. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the presence of different allele frequencies of polymorphisms within the population, which might affect treatment outcomes.

Two cases of pre-extensively drug resistant tuberculosis in children in Indonesia.

Few reports are available on children with pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (pre-XDR-TB), which is defined as Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin plus resistance to either a fluoroquinolone or a second-line injectable drug. Pre-XDR-TB treatment for children usually has been individualized based on drug susceptibility test (DST) results, but treatment remains challenging due to the lack of studies based on existing treatment guidelines in children and lack of availability of the new drugs. We report two cases of pre-XDR-TB in children who have responded well to individualized treatment regimens. Because toxic drugs are used for long duration, close monitoring of adverse drug reactions is important.

Convalescent plasma therapy in obese severe COVID-19 adolescents: Two cases report.

BACKGROUND: In Indonesia, 175 cases resulted in death in children from March to December 2020. Studies regarding Convalescent Plasma Therapy's (CPT) safety and efficacy in children are scarce. Our case report was the first to write CPT in Indonesian children. CASE PRESENTATION: In our case, two obese children with progressive shortness of breath, worsening cough, and high fever, the findings met severe COVID-19 criteria. We performed CPT for these patients and the patient's condition was improved and able to be discharged. DISCUSSION: Severe COVID-19 with or without comorbid was the indication of CPT which had been approved by the U.S. FDA and Indonesian Pediatrics Society. The key factors associated with CPT efficacy were the donor's titer antibody, the treatment time point, and the patient's comorbidities. The clinical impact showed an improvement by the combination therapy of CPT and remdesivir. CONCLUSION: We noted that CPT might be well tolerated, could improve the clinical impact of severe COVID-19 in adolescents, and have no adverse events as well. CPT for severe COVID-19 cases in children had the potential to be developed in studies with better designs and stronger levels of evidence.

Unusual Recurrence of Antituberculosis Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Children: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND Antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ADIH) is a possible adverse event of antitubercular treatment. There are still no official guidelines for ADIH management in children. Recurrent ADIH is infrequently reported. CASE REPORT In this article, we report 6 unusual cases of recurrent ADIH in children. Five children developed ADIH during the intensive phase. Streptomycin and ethambutol were given to those with tuberculosis meningitis, urinary tract tuberculosis, and one patient with pulmonary tuberculosis with HIV infection and cardiac comorbidities. Five patients experienced a second ADIH episode after reintroduction. One patient developed ADIH symptoms again before reaching a full dose of isoniazid. The patient with pulmonary tuberculosis, HIV infection, and dilated cardiomyopathy experienced secondary episodes of ADIH and received levofloxacin and ethambutol as additional drugs. CONCLUSIONS Recurrent ADIH is relatively uncommon in children but may be encountered in daily practice. Reintroduction of previous treatment regimens should be tailored individually. There is an urgent need for standardized guidelines for ADIH in children.

NAT2 Gene rs1041983 is Associated with Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Induced Hepatotoxicity Among Pediatric Tuberculosis in Bandung, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: As pediatric tuberculosis (TB) globally is still reported challenging in diagnosis, to date, a lot of efforts have been established to eliminate the disease including proper treatment regimen using anti-TB drugs. However, antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ADIH) is known to interfere the success of the prescribed therapy. ADIH was found to be correlated with polymorphisms of NAT2 gene, that is responsible to transcript the NAT2 enzyme, a metabolizer of isoniazid (INH). The most common NAT2 gene polymorphisms in Asian population associated with ADIH are rs1041983, rs1799929, rs1799930 and rs1799931. The study aimed to investigate the 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pediatric TB that experienced ADIH. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study comparing 31 each of pediatric TB experience with and without ADIH. All pediatric TB was selected from 451 pediatric TB Registry of Respirology Division, Department of Child Health Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran/Dr Hasan Sadikin Hospital during January 2016 to July 2018. Genomic DNA PCR and sequencing to identify polymorphisms of rs1041983, rs1799929, rs1799930 and rs1799931 were performed in both groups. Data analysis was performed using the Epi info Ver. 7 software. RESULTS: Thirty-one pediatric TB experiences with and without ADIH were enrolled in this study. SNP rs1041983 significantly affected the occurrence of ADIH (OR 2.39, CI 95% (1.15-4.96), p=0.019). The rs1799929, rs1799930 and rs1799931 did not significantly affect the occurrence of ADIH (p=0.133, p=0.150 and p=0.659, respectively). CONCLUSION: Polymorphism SNP rs1041983 had association with the occurrence of ADIH.

Modified PIRO (predisposition, insult, response, organ dysfunction) severity score as a predictor for mortality of children with pneumonia in Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Clinical manifestations for pneumonia vary from mild to severe. The PIRO model (predisposition, insult, response, organ dysfunction) was used as scoring system to determine severity of sepsis and pneumonia in adult patients. The PIRO model was modified for sorting the severity of pneumonia in children and predicting its risk of mortality. METHODS: An ambispective cohort study of pneumonia patients aged 1 month to ≤ 18 years admitted over the period from May to September 2020. Data were collected from history, physical examination, laboratory examination, and chest radiography. Based on bivariate analysis (p<0.05 and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval), variables of each PIRO component that were significant for mortality were assigned a value of 1. The cut-off score for predictor of mortality was calculated using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve and the scores were stratified into three degrees of risk based on interquartile range, score ≤Q1 was categorized as low risk; Q1-Q3 was categorized as moderate risk; and score >Q3 was categorized as high risk. RESULTS: Out of the 80 subjects enrolled, 6 months-5 years was the largest age group (56.3%). The observed mortality was 15/80 (18.8%). The modified PIRO severity score was compiled from significant variables of predisposition (malnutrition), insult (chest radiograph), response (hypoxemia, hypotension, CRP >0.5 mg/dL, PCT >0.5 ng/dL) and organ dysfunction, with range of score 0-7. Score >3 was categorized as a cut-off point score for predictor of mortality with AUC 0.919 (95% CI 0.836-0.968), sensitivity of 80%, and specificity of 84.62%. Subjects with score >3 have RR of 10.544 compared to those with score ≤3. The stratification of score level was low (≤2), moderate (3-4), and high (5-7). The mortality levels were 0%, 46.7%, and 53.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Modified PIRO severity score can be used as a sorting tool and predictor of mortality risk in children with pneumonia. This score can also be used to select candidates for intensive care, especially in health facilities with limited intensive care capacity.

Left to right shunt congenital heart disease as a risk factor of recurrent pneumonia in under five-year-old children: a single centre experience in Bandung Indonesia.

Aim Children with congenital heart diseases are at the greater risk of respiratory tract infection such as pneumonia. Recurrent pneumonia is one of the most major challenge for paediatric physicians. The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors of congenital heart diseases to recurrent pneumonia children. Methods This was a retrospective study of under five-year-old children hospitalized in Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung Indonesia from 2015 to 2018. Congenital heart diseases and pneumonia, as well as recurrent pneumonia, were identified. Congenital heart diseases diagnosis with and without pneumonia were reviewed. Results Of 6997 hospitalized children, in 1258 (18.0%) congenital heart diseases were found, of which 232 (18.4%) had recurrent pneumonia. Most of those had left to right (L to R) shunt, 213 (91.8%). Congenital heart diseases in children aged under 1 year, 144 (62%) were more preponderant than in those aged 1-5 years. More than a half, 119 (51.3%) were males. Left to right shunt was documented as having recurrent pneumonia, of which patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect were the most common type in congenital heart diseases. Ventricular septal defect had a possibility for recurrent pneumonia by 1.551 times, and malnutrition 2.591 times. Conclusion Ventricular septal defect and malnutrition were identified as risk factors for recurrent pneumonia. Those patients require multidisciplinary approach to prevent respiratory complications.

A fatal course of multiple inflammatory syndrome in children coinfection with dengue. A case report from Indonesia.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a currently ongoing global pandemic. Children tend to show milder symptoms of infection compared to adults. Concurrently, in April 2020, there was reported an escalation of Kawasaki cases like disease in children treated in the intensive care unit and showing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) SARS CoV-2 positive. Those children had a hyperinflammatory response, which caused the failure of multi-organ and shock. Several countries have reported similar cases since then. Here we describe a case of a patient with COVID-19 and concurrent dengue infection presenting MIS-C. A 6-year-old male with no past medical history looked pale with fatigue and brought to an emergency room from a referral hospital. The patient presented with fever, acute abdominal pain, shock, and deteriorate quickly, confirmed with the serology of SARS CoV-2 IgM was reactive, serology of anti-dengue IgM was reactive and PCR SARS CoV-2 was negative. Possibly it is MIS-C coinfection with severe unusual dengue infection or MIS-C with false-positive dengue serologic test leading to a fatal outcome.

Correlation between CD4 count and glomerular filtration rate or urine protein:creatinine ratio in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.

BACKGROUND: Studies on kidney complications in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children are lacking. CD4 T lymphocytes are an important immune functions regulator and used as a basis for initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) and monitoring disease progression. This study aims to determine the correlation between CD4 and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or urine protein:creatinine ratio (uPCR) as markers of kidney complications. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted on HIV-infected children aged 5 to 18 years who visited the Teratai HIV Clinic at Hasan Sadikin Hospital for monthly monitoring in June 2019. CD4 count, eGFR based on the Schwartz formula, and uPCR were obtained. Correlation analysis was performed with the Pearson test. RESULTS: Subjects were 42 HIV-infected children, consisting of 23 males (54.8%) and 19 females (45.2%). Most children (65.0%) were in an advanced clinical stage and had been diagnosed with HIV for an average of 8 ± 3 years. All subjects had received ART, and six received tenofovir. Compliance to medications were good, and most subjects (79.0%) had normal nutritional status and CD4 count. All subjects had eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, of which 21 (50.0%) were above normal value. Proteinuria was found in 12 patients (28.6%), and it was not significantly associated with clinical stages of HIV infection. CD4 count was correlated positively with eGFR (r = 0.473, P = 0.001) and negatively with uPCR (r = -0.284, P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: The degree of immunodeficiency appears to correlate with severity of renal injury. Screening at diagnosis and periodic monitoring of kidney functions are crucial in all childhood HIV patients.

Complicated Urinary Tract Tuberculosis in a 13-Year-Old Adolescent with Chronic Kidney Disease and Antituberculous Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity.

Urinary tract tuberculosis (TB) is a rare extrapulmonary manifestation of TB in children. The disease is potentially underdiagnosed because it clinically resembles other urinary tract infections. A 13-year-old adolescent girl presented with pain, difficulty in micturition, and gross hematuria for almost two years before admission, and she had left flank pain since one year ago and significant loss of body weight during the illness. The close TB contact was her grandmother who was on TB treatment. Acid-fast bacilli yielded positive result, Mantoux test was positive (17 mm), urine GeneXpert MTB/Rif was positive; tuberculoma was identified on kidney histopathology, and a diuretic renogram revealed an uncorrected glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the right and left kidney to be 32.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 5 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. During the treatment, oral anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ADIH) occurred to the patient. This problem was solved with management according to the British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines. Screening TB in children is very important for a better outcome. If children complain of some complicated urinary tract infection, TB should be suspected. Optimaly treating children with urinary tract TB exagerrated with ADIH and CKD is very challenging.

Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor as a biomarker of treatment response in childhood tuberculosis.

Background: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. In 2015, there are estimated 950,000 cases of childhood TB. Since most TB in children is paucibacillary, this gives rise not only to problem in diagnosing but also in monitoring the response to anti-TB treatment as well. Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked membrane protein of various cells of immune system, is one of the potential biomarkers to be used in the management of TB. The objective of this study is to study the decrease of serum suPAR level after anti-TB treatment in children with TB and its association with patient characteristics. Methods: We conducted a prospective study on children suspected of having TB due to a history of contact with active TB case and symptoms such as coughing, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. The diagnosis of TB is established by history, physical examination including anthropometric examination. Tuberculin skin test using PPD RT-23 and interferon-gamma releasing assay with Quantiferon TB-Gold Plus was performed. Chest X-rays were read by two independent radiologists. Microbiological examination was performed using microscopic examination and Xpert MTB/RIF. The level of suPAR before and after anti-TB treatment was examined with the Elisa method. Results: There was no significant difference of serum suPAR levels before and after anti-TB treatment (mean 0.71 [standard deviation 0.585] ng/mL; P = 0.072). There was no association between ages (P = 0.112), nutritional status (P = 0.228), diagnosis of pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB (P = 0.956), and radiological feature (P = 0.810) with serum suPAR levels decrease. Conclusion: There is no suPAR serum level decrease 2 months after treatment with anti-TB and there is no association with age, nutritional status, pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB diagnosis, and radiological feature.

The role of flexible bronchoscopy in lung tuberculosis mimicking mediastinal mass in an Infant: A rare case report.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a systemic disease that can affect all parts in the body. The clinical manifestations sometimes mislead to other diagnoses. Mediastinal mass-like of TB in children is a rare manifestation. A 5-month-old boy presented to our hospital with respiratory distress, fever for 2 months, body weight loss, cough, and history of recurrent pneumonia. The lung sound decreased on the right hemithorax. Lung computed tomography revealed multiple irregular cysts with thick walls on the anterosuperior mediastinal area, consolidation on the right lobe, and suspected gangrenous lung disease. The right main bronchus stenosis with cheesy-like vegetation was found on flexible bronchoscopy procedure. Xpert/MTB RIF from bronchoalveolar lavage revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis and sensitive to rifampicin. Anti-TB drugs were given for 12 months. He has clinical and radiological improvement. We must increase the awareness of TB disease in case of mediastinal mass-like appearance in the high-endemic area. The flexible bronchoscopy plays an important role in diagnostic purpose.