Examining variation in skeletal tuberculosis in a late pre-contact population from the eastern mountains of Peru.

OBJECTIVE AND MATERIALS: This research evaluates the presence and chronology of tuberculosis (TB) in the northeastern highlands of Peru (CE 800-1535) through the analysis of osseous lesions from Pre-Contact Kuelap, Chachapoyas. METHODS: We examined macroscopic lesion morphology and distribution from the skeletal series (MNI = 207). RESULTS: We determined that skeletal evidence was highly consistent with advanced multifocal and spinal tuberculosis in 13 individuals. Destructive lesions of the lower thoracic and/or lumbar vertebra bodies and sacroiliac joints are evident in most cases, but we also observed lesions within the manubriosternal, hip, and knee joints. Both adult males (n = 7) and females (n = 6) present skeletal lesions from young adult to older adults, but there is only one late adolescent. Only three individuals demonstrate similar lesion distributions. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in lesion distribution in this population-based study shows the importance of identifying extra-vertebral tuberculosis and suggests that the disease may have manifested differently than at other coastal sites. These cases confirm the presence of tuberculosis both before and after Inca occupation across this central Andean highlands region. SIGNIFICANCE: This evidence for the likely endemic presence of TB in the New World prior to European Contact furthers our understanding of the distribution of this infectious disease across the region as well as elucidating lesion distribution. LIMITATIONS: The diagnosis of tuberculosis is based on skeletal lesions and it should be confirmed by molecular analysis. FUTURE RESEARCH: Additional examination of vertebral bodies (including juvenile remains) for evidence of earlier manifestations of infection.

Diagnostic efficiency of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for osteoarticular tuberculosis in patients with inflammatory arthritis in China.

BACKGROUND: Both osteoarticular tuberculosis (OA-TB) and inflammatory arthritis can lead to osteoarticular structural damage. These conditions exhibit similar symptoms, physical signs, and imaging features. Rapidly and accurately diagnosing OA-TB in patients with inflammatory arthritis presents a challenge to clinicians. Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) has been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a rapid diagnostic tool for diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB. This study was designed to investigate diagnostic efficiency of Xpert for OA-TB in patients with inflammatory arthritis in China. METHODS: A total of 83 consecutive patients with inflammatory arthritis and suspected OA-TB were enrolled prospectively from June 2014 to May 2018. Demographic, clinical, and biological data were recorded. Xpert assay, smear microscopy examination (smear), BACTEC MGIT 960 (MGIT 960), pathological examination, and T-SPOT.TB test were performed for each patient who received operations. Diagnostic efficiency of Xpert was evaluated based on a composite reference standard (CRS). RESULTS: A total of 49 out of 83 patients with inflammatory arthritis and suspected OA-TB received operations, and 49 specimens were obtained during operations. According to CRS, 36 out of 49 patients with inflammatory arthritis were diagnosed with OA-TB, and 13 were not affected by the condition. Sensitivity of Xpert assay, smear, MGIT 960, pathological examination, and T-SPOT.TB test reached 66.70% (24/36), 25.00% (9/36), 30.55% (11/36), 47.22% (17/36), and 80.55% (29/36), respectively. Specificity of Xpert assay, smear, MGIT 960, and pathological examination was all 100% (13/13). Specificity of T-SPOT.TB test was 53.84% (7/13). Sensitivity of Xpert was higher than that of smear, MGIT 960 and pathological examination, but the sensitivity of Xpert was lower than that of T-SPOT.TB. Sensitivity of Xpert was statistically different from that of smear and MGIT 960 (P<0.001, P = 0.002), but the sensitivity of Xpert was not significantly different from that of pathological examination and T-SPOT.TB (P = 0.096, P = 0.181). Specificity of T-SPOT.TB was less than that of Xpert, smear, MGIT 960, and pathological examination, and the difference between them was statistically significant (P = 0.015). Among the 27 OA-TB patients with smear negative results, Xpert had the highest sensitivity, but sensitivity of Xpert was not significantly different from that of pathological examination and T-SPOT.TB (P = 0.413, P = 0.783). 2 of 36 OA-TB patients exhibited RIF resistance. Xpert was concordant with MGIT 960-based drug susceptibility testing (DST) in detecting rifampin (RIF) resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Xpert is an efficient tool with high sensitivity and specificity for OA-TB diagnosis in patients with inflammatory arthritis in high-TB prevalence countries. Compared with conventional methods, Xpert has two advantages: one is fast, and the other is able to provide RIF resistance information simultaneously.

Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint tuberculosis in the United Kingdom.

AIMS: Tuberculosis (TB) infection of bones and joints accounts for 6.7% of TB cases in England, and is associated with significant morbidity and disability. Public Health England reports that patients with TB experience delays in diagnosis and treatment. Our aims were to determine the demographics, presentation and investigation of patients with a TB infection of bones and joints, to help doctors assessing potential cases and to identify avoidable delays. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of all adults with positive TB cultures on specimens taken at a tertiary orthopaedic centre between June 2012 and May 2014. A laboratory information system search identified the patients. The demographics, clinical presentation, radiology, histopathology and key clinical dates were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 31 adult patients were identified. Their median age was 37 years (interquartile range (IQR): 29 to 53); 21 (68%) were male; 89% were migrants. The main sites affected were joints (10, 32%), the spine (8, 26%) and long bones (6, 19%); 8 (26%) had multifocal disease. The most common presenting symptoms were pain (29/31, 94%) and swelling (26/28, 93%). 'Typical' symptoms of TB, such as fever, sweats and weight loss, were uncommon. Patients waited a median of seven months (IQR 3 to 13.5) between the onset of symptoms and referral to the tertiary centre and 2.3 months (IQR 1.6 to 3.4.)) between referral and starting treatment. Radiology suggested TB in 26 (84%), but in seven patients (23%) the initial biopsy specimens were not sent for mycobacterial culture, necessitating a second biopsy. Rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction-based testing for TB using Xpert MTB/RIF was performed in five patients; 4 (80%) tested positive for TB. These patients had a reduced time between the diagnostic biopsy and starting treatment than those whose samples were not tested (median eight days versus 36 days, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Patients with bone and joint TB experience delays in diagnosis and treatment, some of which are avoidable. Maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion and sending specimens for mycobacterial culture are crucial to avoid missing cases. Rapid diagnostic tests reduce delays and should be performed on patients with radiological features of TB. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:119-24.

The epidemiology of tuberculous dactylitis: A case report and review of literature.

The literature on tuberculous dactylitis is poor, and most literature consists of isolated case reports. The aim of this case series is to study the particularities and the epidemiological aspects of tuberculous dactylitis in Tunisian patients. Google and Medline search was done using key words "tuberculous dactylitis" and "spina ventosa." Only Tunisian reports in adult patients were included. Eleven cases including this mentioned case were included in this review. There was a female predominance, high frequency of trauma before disease installation, rarity of predisposing factors, and less inflammation in blood tests when comparing with other cases in literature.

A 6500-year-old Middle Neolithic child from Pollera Cave (Liguria, Italy) with probable multifocal osteoarticular tuberculosis.

Clear skeletal evidence of prehistoric tuberculosis (TB) is rare, especially in children. We describe and differentially diagnose the pathological changes displayed by a five-year-old child, Pollera 21 (PO21) dated to the Middle Neolithic of Liguria (Italy), or 5740±30 BP (Beta-409341; 6635-6453cal BP, 2σ, OxCal 4.2). PO21 shows a number of osteoarticular lesions, mainly of a lytic nature with very little bone proliferation: the vertebral column, the shoulder and pelvic girdles, and the ribcage are involved. Given the nature and pattern of the lesions, we propose a diagnosis of multifocal (or multiple) bone TB. Attempts to detect TB aDNA through molecular analysis gave negative results, but this alone is not sufficient to prove that PO21 was not infected with TB. The lesions observed in PO21 share similarities with other published evidence, such as spinal and joint involvement, and disseminated cyst-like lesions. Conversely, PO21 does not show diffuse bone deposition, such as hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) or endocranial modifications such as serpens endocrania symmetrica (SES). PO21 adds to our knowledge of patterns of TB manifestation in archaeological skeletal remains, which is especially important considering the variability in types and patterns of osteoarticular lesions seen today in people with TB.

Tuberculous Dactylitis: An Uncommon Presentation of Skeletal Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal involvement accounts 1-5% of all cases of Tuberculosis. The vertebrae are more commonly affected. The bones of the hands are more affected than the bones of the feet. The term "spina ventosa" has been used to describe this disorder because of its radiographic features of cystic expansion of the involved short tubular bones. Tuberculous dactylitis mainly occurs through lympho-hematogenous spread. The lung is the primary focus in 75% of cases. CASE DETAILS: A 4 years old female child developed a painless swelling on her left index finger two months prior to her presentation. Following an unsuccessful treatment as a case of osteomyelitis with antibiotics, imaging showed an expansile lytic lesion with sclerosis, and fine needle aspiration confirmed tuberculous dactylitis. The child was initiated on anti-tubercular treatment with subsequent marked clinical and radiologic improvement. CONCLUSION: Presence of longstanding finger swelling and pain should alert a clinician to consider active disseminated tuberculosis. Furthermore, proper interpretation of imaging and use of fine needle aspiration has been highlighted.

Insights on the paleoepidemiology of ancient tuberculosis from the structural analysis of postcranial remains from the Ligurian Neolithic (northwestern Italy).

The aim of this research is to gain insights on the progression timeline of osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB) in people from the Neolithic period by using skeletal traits that are independent of the bony lesions. The body proportions and postcranial mechanical strength of bones from two individuals from Liguria in northwestern Italy (Arene Candide 5, adolescent, and Arma dell'Aquila 1, adult), were compared with the rest of the Ligurian Neolithic skeletal series (45 individuals). If TB led to wasting of the skeleton and lack of normal function that endured for years, as often happens today, a clear signature of postcranial gracility and disruption of development should be apparent. Conversely, rapid progress of the disease would leave little systemic macroscopic change in the skeleton, except for the bony lesions directly caused by the TB pathogen, suggesting a different level of bacterial virulence in the past. The extreme biomechanical gracility observed in the lower limb of Arene Candide 5 suggests a period of compromised diaphyseal periosteal apposition during ontogeny due to metabolic disturbances likely linked to TB. Results suggest that, in Neolithic Liguria, TB in humans saw a slow, chronic progression, which is characteristic of diseases with long histories of host-pathogen co-evolution.

Childhood bone tuberculosis from Roman Pécs, Hungary.

A child from a Roman necropolis in Pécs, Hungary (4th century CE) was initially diagnosed with severe spinal osteomyelitis. The post-cranial skeleton displayed bone alterations in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments, including vertebral body destruction, collapse and sharp kyphosis, and additional multiple rib lesions, suggesting a most likely diagnosis of pulmonary and spinal tuberculosis. This study discusses a number of selected diagnoses in the context of our pathological findings, complementing the macroscopic examination with radiological and biomolecular analyses.

Tuberculous arthritis of the knee joint mimicking pigmented villonodular synovitis.

UNLABELLED: Tuberculous arthritis is difficult to diagnose early because of its atypical insidious clinical manifestations and non-specific imaging findings. Specifically, monoarticular tuberculosis of the knee may mimic pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). The present report describes a young patient with tuberculous arthritis of the knee. Proper diagnosis was delayed due to magnetic resonance imaging findings, such as hemosiderin deposits and a nodular mass around the knee joint, suggesting the diffuse type of PVNS. These findings suggest that the first step in the diagnosis of tuberculous knee arthritis is to have a high index of suspicion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

New skeletal tuberculosis cases in past populations from Western Hungary (Transdanubia).

The distribution, antiquity and epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) have previously been studied in osteoarchaeological material in the eastern part of Hungary, mainly on the Great Plain. The purpose of this study is to map the occurrence of skeletal TB in different centuries in the western part of Hungary, Transdanubia, and to present new cases we have found. Palaeopathological analysis was carried out using macroscopic observation supported by radiographic and molecular methods. A large human osteoarchaeological sample (n=5684) from Transdanubian archaeological sites ranging from the 2nd to the 18th centuries served as a source of material. Spinal TB was observed in seven individuals (in three specimens with Pott's disease two of which also had cold abscess) and hip TB was assumed in one case. The results of DNA for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were positive in seven of the eight cases identified by paleopathology, and negative in the assumed case of hip TB. However, the molecular results are consistent with highly fragmented DNA, which limited further analysis. Based on the present study and previously published cases, osteotuberculosis was found in Transdanubia mainly during the 9th-13th centuries. However, there are no signs of TB in many other 9th-13th century sites, even in those that lie geographically close to those where osteotuberculous cases were found. This may be due to a true absence of TB caused by the different living conditions, way of life, or origin of these populations. An alternative explanation is that TB was present in some individuals with no typical paleopathology, but that death occurred before skeletal morphological features could develop.

Tuberculosis de la muñeca y de la mano / Tuberculosis of the hand and wrist

Introducción: La tuberculosis osteoarticular se observa en la columna, la rodilla y la cadera y, menos a menudo,en las vainas tenosinoviales, y en los huesos de la mano y la muñeca. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar esta patología y su tratamiento, y valorar la técnica de reconstrucción simultánea a largo plazo. Materiales y métodos: El estudio abarca a 19 pacientes tratados en 45 años, correspondientes a: 3 espinas ventosas, 10 tenosinovitis de flexores, 4 tenosinovitis de extensores y 2 artritis de muñeca. Empleamos una metodología diagnóstica moderna y el estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes, sus tratamientos y resultados. Resultados: El tratamiento farmacológico correcto es eficaz en 99 por ciento de los casos para la infección tuberculosa. El quirúrgico acelera la curación y consiste en la resección de los tejidos necróticos y la reconstrucción funcional, primaria o secundaria. La curación de la infección se logra siempre; la recuperación funcional estará en relación con el tipo, la. gravedad y la extensión de la lesión. Conclusiones: Se demuestra la frecuencia de estas patologías en los trabajadores de la carne o que están en contacto diario con hacienda. Se destacan los procedimientos modernos de diagnóstico. Se enfatiza en un tratamiento médico completo en calidad, duración y tipo de fármacos. Se destacan las bondades de los tratamientos quirúrgicos y de la reconstrucción funcional simultánea que propusimos en 1965.

Tuberculosis de la muñeca y de la mano / Tuberculosis of the hand and wrist

Introducción: La tuberculosis osteoarticular se observa en la columna, la rodilla y la cadera y, menos a menudo,en las vainas tenosinoviales, y en los huesos de la mano y la muñeca. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar esta patología y su tratamiento, y valorar la técnica de reconstrucción simultánea a largo plazo. Materiales y métodos: El estudio abarca a 19 pacientes tratados en 45 años, correspondientes a: 3 espinas ventosas, 10 tenosinovitis de flexores, 4 tenosinovitis de extensores y 2 artritis de muñeca. Empleamos una metodología diagnóstica moderna y el estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes, sus tratamientos y resultados. Resultados: El tratamiento farmacológico correcto es eficaz en 99 por ciento de los casos para la infección tuberculosa. El quirúrgico acelera la curación y consiste en la resección de los tejidos necróticos y la reconstrucción funcional, primaria o secundaria. La curación de la infección se logra siempre; la recuperación funcional estará en relación con el tipo, la. gravedad y la extensión de la lesión. Conclusiones: Se demuestra la frecuencia de estas patologías en los trabajadores de la carne o que están en contacto diario con hacienda. Se destacan los procedimientos modernos de diagnóstico. Se enfatiza en un tratamiento médico completo en calidad, duración y tipo de fármacos. Se destacan las bondades de los tratamientos quirúrgicos y de la reconstrucción funcional simultánea que propusimos en 1965.(AU)

Leprosy and tuberculosis in Iron Age Southeast Asia?

The recent excavation of a sample of 120 human skeletons from an Iron Age site in the valley of the Mun River, a tributary of the Mekong River on the Khorat Plateau in northeast Thailand, has provided the largest sample from this period in the region to date. This paper reviews three individuals from the sample with pathological changes for which the differential diagnosis includes systemic infectious disease. In two of these, both males with lesions of the hands and feet, leprosy and psoriatic arthritis are discussed as differential diagnoses, with leprosy the most probable. In the third, a female with lesions of the spine, the differential diagnosis includes tuberculosis and nonspecific osteomyelitis. Tuberculosis is the most probable diagnosis. Although the focus of this paper is a presentation of the evidence for infectious disease at Noen U-Loke, the significance of probable diagnoses of mycobacterial diseases for the history of the diseases and for prehistory in mainland Southeast Asia is also briefly discussed.

Rib lesions in a prehistoric Puebloan sample from southwestern Colorado.

An unusually high frequency of periosteal lesions of visceral rib surfaces was observed in a small, prehistoric skeletal series from southwestern Colorado. Lesions of this type have been concordant with pulmonary tuberculosis in three studies of human skeletal collections with known cause of death, and in a recent clinical investigation of rib dimensions in living patients with lung disorders. Diseases such as pneumonia and actinomycosis have also been found to cause these lesions, but in much lower frequencies. Archaeological evidence suggests that Puebloan farmers of Sleeping Ute Mountain's southern piedmont, from which the sample is drawn, endured unusually harsh environmental conditions punctuated by severe drought and exacerbated by escalating warfare. It is argued here that these environmental stressors increased susceptibility to an opportunistic respiratory infection reminiscent of tuberculosis, and possibly also some form of pneumonia, resulting in high rates of active disease previously noted only in historic Puebloan peoples.

[Rapidly growing tumor of the hand--is tuberculosis as differential diagnosis gaining increased importance?]. / Schnell wachsender Tumor an der Hand--Gewinnt die Tuberkulose als Differentialdiagnose an Aktualität?

A two-year-old healthy, Portuguese girl presented with a prominent, painless tumor over the first web space of the left hand. The tumor increased rapidly in size over a few weeks, but caused no functional problems. On X-ray films, a cystic structure of the first metacarpal bone with erosion of the corticalis was demonstrated. At operation, a "cold abscess" was found. Bacterial examination of the gastric juice showed acid-resistant bacilli. The spina ventosa (Latin: Spina-"a thorn"; ventosa-"full of wind, distended") is a typical extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis in phalangeal, metacarpal, and metatarsal bones of children. The recognition of this diagnosis is very important and will become more so in the future as it has already been seen in HIV-positive children in the USA, as well as in immuno-suppressed children and in un-vaccinated and malnourished children from war zones in eastern Europe.

Human treponematosis and tuberculosis: evidence from the New World.

The purpose of this study has been first, to critically review the evidence for the presence of human treponematosis and tuberculosis in the skeletal remains of prehistoric natives in the New World, and second, to report on nine new cases dated to before contact and suggesting the presence of these two disease conditions. A review of the medical history and findings by human paleopathologists leaves little doubt that both diseases originated in the Old World. The findings of this study lend further support to the fact that, although rare, human treponematosis and tuberculosis were indeed endemic in the pre-Columbia New World before contact. There is no evidence that these two diseases could have arisen independently and de novo, especially during the relatively short time since man's arrival in the New World. Where a disease has been endemic for quite some time as appears to be the case with human treponematosis and tuberculosis, milder forms of the disease and improved host response could have developed in which only the most severe cases would be observable. This explains the rarity of skeletal lesions suggestive of these two human disease conditions in prehistoric human populations.