Abdominal tuberculosis in a tertiary care centre in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: Abdominal tuberculosis (ATB) is the second most common type of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Though it does not usually pose a significant risk of infectivity, ATB can go unidentified and progress to disseminated infection. The aim of this study is to highlight the incidence and outcome of this infection in a tertiary care centre in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included all ATB patients admitted to our centre between January 1 st, 2010 and December 31, 2018. A total of 42 patients with a median age of 49 (range 18-83 years, 78.6% males) were identified. RESULTS: The most common presentation was abdominal pain, weight loss, and abdominal distension. All the patients were HIV negative; however, 50% had a comorbid condition, mainly diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and liver cirrhosis. Tuberculous peritonitis was the predominant type of ATB. Suspicious and potentially malignant abdominal masses appeared on the abdominal CT scans of six patients. This suggest that TB should be excluded in patients from endemic area presenting with abdominal masses. All patients received standard anti-tuberculous medication for an average duration of 7.4 months. The outcome was excellent with 88%% achieving complete response. Adjunctive corticosteroids were not used, and none of the patients had a surgical complication. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of ATB is challenging. It can mimic inflammatory bowel disease in young populations and malignancy in middle-aged and elderly population. For this reason, a high index of suspicion with prompt treatment is required to improve the prognosis and prevent complications.

Role of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test in the diagnosis of intrathoracic childhood tuberculosis.

SETTING: Tertiary care hospitals in India. OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) with that of the tuberculin skin test (TST) in the diagnosis of intrathoracic childhood tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: Children with intrathoracic TB were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial studying micronutrient supplementation in intrathoracic TB. They underwent TST and QFT-GIT before starting daily anti-tuberculosis treatment. RESULTS: Of 362 children (median age 115.5 months, IQR 73-144, 55% girls) enrolled in the study, microbiological confirmation of TB was obtained in 128 (35%). The TST was positive in 337 (93%, 95%CI 90-95.5) and QFT-GIT in 297 (82%, 95%CI 77.8-85.6). Sensitivity of TST and QFT-GIT in culture-confirmed TB cases was respectively 90.5% (95%CI 84.1-94.5) and 82.6% (95%CI 74.9-88.4). QFT-GIT positivity rate correlated with TST induration (P < 0.001). TST was influenced by the disease spectrum (P = 0.004) and the age of the children (P = 0.002); QFT-GIT remained unaffected by these factors. Bacille Calmette-Guérin immunisation status, weight-for-age Z-scores and microbiological confirmation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis did not influence the performance of either test. CONCLUSION: In high-burden countries, QFT-GIT is comparable to TST and offers no added advantage in the diagnosis of childhood intrathoracic TB.

Diagnostic sensitivity of culture and drug resistance patterns in Korean patients with intestinal tuberculosis.

SETTING: It is challenging to differentiate between intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) and Crohn's disease in areas where TB is still prevalent. The use of diagnostic tools and verifying the drug resistance patterns of ITB can be helpful for its correct diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity of a culture assay using colonoscopic biopsy specimens and the drug resistance patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from ITB. DESIGN: Data from 400 patients diagnosed with ITB were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Of the 400 patients, 170 (42.5%) were males; the median age at diagnosis was 40 years. The sensitivity of culture was 44.1% (145/329). Resistance to at least one anti-tuberculosis drug was identified in 13 (17.6%) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was diagnosed in two (2.7%) of the 74 patients for whom drug susceptibility testing was performed. Including M. tuberculosis isolated from respiratory specimens, the proportion of MDR-TB was 4.4% (5/113); previous anti-tuberculosis treatment was an independent risk factor for MDR-TB (26.7% vs. 1.0%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Culture of colonoscopic biopsy specimens shows substantial diagnostic sensitivity; the frequency of MDR-TB is higher in previously treated cases than in new cases.

[A case of severe intestinal tuberculosis, treated with ciprofloxacin, kanamycin and prednisolone].

A 31-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of frequent diarrhea. Colonoscopy showed ring ulcers on the rectum and ascending colon and chest X-ray showed abnormal shadows which were diagnosed as tuberculosis by sputum PCR. He started treatment with isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RFP), pyrazinamide (PZA) and streptomycin (SM), however, eruption and ileus were seen. Then, he was retreated with ciprofloxacin (CPFX), kanamycin sulfate (KM) and prednisolone (PSL). Subsequently, we added RFP and further added calcium para-aminosalicylate (PAS). All these treatment was effective, and he was discharged from the hospital.

Abdominal tuberculosis in children. Report of 10 cases.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal tuberculosis is a rare location of this infection with a lot of diagnostic difficulties. The aim of this study was to review our experience of pediatric abdominal tuberculosis with that of the literature data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted over a 7-year period; 10 cases of abdominal tuberculosis in children were reviewed (6 girls and 4 boys, mean age: 11 years, extremes 4-14). Eight patients enrolled in this study satisfied the following criteria: a positive culture for mycobacterium tuberculosis on samples of ascites fluid, sputum, urine, abscess puncture and/or caseating granulomas on histologic examination of biopsies obtained by endoscopy, percutaneous aspiration or needle biopsy or exploratory laparotomy. Two other patients (patients No 1 & 5) had a favorable response within 10 weeks of antituberculous therapy. RESULTS: We observed 8 cases of peritoneal tuberculosis and 2 cases of intestinal tuberculosis. Extra-abdominal tuberculosis was found in 4 of those patients. Two patients had a contact with a tuberculosis positive individual. Nine children had BCG immunization. The main clinical features were abdominal distension (6 cases) and abdominal pain (6 cases). Abdominal ultrasonography visualized mesenteric lymphadenopathies (6 cases), an abdominal mass (5 cases), free (1 case) and localized ascites (1 case). Barium enema and small bowell series showed small bowel stenosis (1 case) and ileal ulcerations (1 case). Exploratory laparotomy, performed in 3 patients, showed whitish granulations and peritoneal abscesses with caseous necrosis on histology. Quadruple therapy with tuberculostatic agents was prescribed in all patients, associating isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide combined at the start of the treatment with streptomycin (7 cases) and ethambutol (3 cases). Short term outcome was favorable with no deaths. The long term outcome was complicated by persistent ascites (1 case) and the development of portal hypertension (1 case). CONCLUSION: Abdominal tuberculosis remains a rare localization with a lot of diagnostic difficulties.

A clinical dilemma: abdominal tuberculosis.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical, radiological and microbiological properties of abdominal tuberculosis (TB) and to discuss methods needed to get the diagnosis. METHODS: Thirty-one patients diagnosed as abdominal TB between March 1998 and December 2001 at the Gastroenterology Department of Kartal State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey were evaluated prospectively. Complete physical examination, medical and family history, blood count erythrocyte sedimentation rate, routine biochemical tests, Mantoux skin test, chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasonography (USG) were performed in all cases, whereas microbiological examination of ascites, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy or barium enema, abdominal tomography, mediastinoscopy, laparoscopy or laparotomy were done when needed. RESULTS: The median age of patients (14 females,17 males) was 34.2 years (range 15-65 years). The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain and weight loss. Eleven patients had active pulmonary TB. The most common abdominal USG findings were ascites and hepatomegaly. Ascitic fluid analysis performed in 13 patients was found to be exudative and acid resistant bacilli were present in smear and cultured only in one patient with BacTec (3.2 %). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy yielded nonspecific findings in 16 patients. Colonoscopy performed in 20 patients showed ulcers in 9 (45 %), nodules in 2 (10 %) and, stricture, polypoid lesions, granulomatous findings in terminal ileum and rectal fistula each in one patient (5 %). Laparoscopy on 4 patients showed dilated bowel loops, thickening in the mesentery, multiple ulcers and tubercles on the peritoneum. Patients with abdominal TB were divided into three groups according to the type of involvement. Fifteen patients (48 %) had intestinal TB, 11 patients (35.2 %) had tuberculous peritonitis and 5 (16.8 %) tuberculous lymphadenitis. The diagnosis of abdominal TB was confirmed microbiologically in 5 (16 %) and histo-pathologically in 19 patients (60.8 %). The remaining nine patients (28.8 %) had been diagnosed by a positive response to antituberculous treatment. CONCLUSION: Neither clinical signs, laboratory, radiological and endoscopic methods nor bacteriological and histopathological findings provide a gold standard by themselves in the diagnosis of abdominal TB. However, an algorithm of these diagnostic methods leads to considerably higher precision in the diagnosis of this insidious disease which primarily necessitate a clinical awareness of this serious health problem.

Diagnosis and outcome of isolated rectal tuberculosis.

PURPOSE: Segmental colonic tuberculosis commonly involves the ascending, transverse, or sigmoid colon. Rectal involvement in tuberculosis is uncommon and poorly characterized. This study describes the clinical presentation, endoscopic features, and outcome of isolated rectal tuberculosis. METHODS: Isolated rectal tuberculosis was defined as focal lesions of the rectum in the absence of radiologically demonstrable lesions in the small and large bowel on barium contrast studies. Diagnosis of rectal tuberculosis was based on characteristic endoscopic appearance of lesions, histopathologic features of tuberculosis in biopsy/ resected material, and response to antitubercular therapy. RESULTS: Eight patients with rectal tuberculosis were seen during a four-year period at our hospital. Hematochezia was the most common presenting feature (88 percent), followed by constitutional symptoms (75 percent) and constipation (37 percent). Rectal examination revealed a tight stricture within 10 cm of the anal verge in seven patients. Barium enema showed stricture of variable length, with focal areas of deep mucosal ulceration and increase in presacral space. Proctoscopic findings were tight stricture (7), nodularity with ulceration (6), and multiple aphthous ulcers (1). Granulomatous infiltration was detected in seven of eight patients in biopsy material obtained at endoscopy (6) or surgery (1). Cessation of hematochezia, resolution of constitutional symptoms, and weight gain were seen in all patients following treatment with antitubercular drugs. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that tubercular involvement of rectum, although uncommon, is an important cause of rectal strictures in India. Response to antitubercular chemotherapy is uniformly good, and surgery is seldom required in these patients.

[Intestinal mycobacterial infections in AIDS. Clinical course and treatment of infections caused by Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium genavense]. / Micobatteriosi intestinali in AIDS. Clinica e terapia delle infezioni da Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium genavense.

Digestive apparatus is a common target of atypical mycobacteriosis in AIDS patients (at least 50% of patients with CD4+ lymphocytes < 50/mm3). We describe the clinical-histological features of two cases of Whipple-like syndrome likely caused by Mycobacterium avium (MAI) (study performed by light and electron microscopy), of one case of infection caused by two morphological variants of a MAI strain with a different sensitivity to antibiotics, of one case of M. kansasii infection and of two cases of M. genavense infection accompanied by sensitivity tests to antibiotics (as far as we know, these are the first described quantitative sensitivity tests of M. genavense to antibiotics). In conclusion, we discuss the present therapeutical outlines for M. kansasii and avium, together with the teramporary pharmacological options for M. genavense as suggested by antibiotic sensitivity tests performed on the strains isolated from the studied patients.

Tuberculosis intestinal / Intestinal tuberculosis

De 6 pacientes tratados de tuberculosis intestinal en un lapso de 36 años, sólo en 2 se sospechó el diagnóstico. Cuatro pacientes consultaron por subostrucción intestinal y 2 por diarrea profusa. En el diagnóstico de patología colónica fueron de utilidad la colonofibroscopia, la radiografía de colon por enema y la tomografía axial computada. El diagnóstico de certeza sólo se obtuvo con el estudio anatomopatológico de la pieza resecada. Hay que tratar de llegar al diagnóstico de certeza antes de la cirugía, por tratarse de una enfermedad de tratamiento esencialmente médico. El tratamiento quirúrgico consistió en la resección económica de las lesiones. Una vez diagnosticada la tuberculosis intestinal se indicó tratamiento tuberculostático durante 18 meses en los primeros protocolos de tratamiento y durante 9 meses en los últimos.

Tuberculosis intestinal / Intestinal tuberculosis

De 6 pacientes tratados de tuberculosis intestinal en un lapso de 36 años, sólo en 2 se sospechó el diagnóstico. Cuatro pacientes consultaron por subostrucción intestinal y 2 por diarrea profusa. En el diagnóstico de patología colónica fueron de utilidad la colonofibroscopia, la radiografía de colon por enema y la tomografía axial computada. El diagnóstico de certeza sólo se obtuvo con el estudio anatomopatológico de la pieza resecada. Hay que tratar de llegar al diagnóstico de certeza antes de la cirugía, por tratarse de una enfermedad de tratamiento esencialmente médico. El tratamiento quirúrgico consistió en la resección económica de las lesiones. Una vez diagnosticada la tuberculosis intestinal se indicó tratamiento tuberculostático durante 18 meses en los primeros protocolos de tratamiento y durante 9 meses en los últimos. (AU)

Colonoscopic diagnosis and medical treatment of ten patients with colonic tuberculosis.

Ten patients with tuberculous enterocolitis were diagnosed colonoscopically. In four, the diagnosis was confirmed by positive acid fast stain or the presence of caseating granuloma in colonic biopsy material or ileal washings. In one other patient a cervical lymph gland revealed acid-fast bacilli. He was the only patient with extraintestinal disease, indicating that primary tuberculous colitis is probably more common than secondary in Saudi Arabia. In the other five patients the colonoscopic diagnosis was confirmed by a complete response to antituberculous triple therapy. Six patients had hypertrophic, two ulcerohypertrophic and two widespread ulcerative lesions. Colonoscopy with biopsies has definite advantages over barium enema in diagnosis. After thus excluding malignancy, Crohn's disease remains the most important differential diagnosis. A ten-week therapeutic trial of antituberculous treatment is recommended in patients from high-risk populations with a typical history and colonoscopic picture to avoid the morbidity and mortality of diagnostic laparotomy.

[Cecal pole tuberculosis--an often forgotten differential diagnosis? Observations before and following tuberculostatic therapy]. / Zökalpoltuberkulose--eine oft vergessene Differentialdiagnose? Beobachtungen vor und nach tuberkulostatischer Therapie.

If the barium enema reveals stenosing changes of the terminal ileum and caecum, tuberculosis must be considered in differential diagnosis, even if pulmonary evidence of the illness is lacking. Since, however, radiographically no exclusive typical changes for the tuberculosis of the terminal ileum and caecum can be seen, the diagnosis must be checked histologically and bacteriologically. Under drug therapy an obvious decrease of the inflammation of the mucosa of the colon could be seen.