Worldwide Effects of Coronavirus Disease Pandemic on Tuberculosis Services, January-April 2020.

Coronavirus disease has disrupted tuberculosis services globally. Data from 33 centers in 16 countries on 5 continents showed that attendance at tuberculosis centers was lower during the first 4 months of the pandemic in 2020 than for the same period in 2019. Resources are needed to ensure tuberculosis care continuity during the pandemic.

Predictors of mediastinal staging and usefulness of pet in patients with stage IIIA (N2) or IIIB (N3) lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze which factors predict mediastinal N2/N3 lymph node staging and diagnostic accuracy of PET and CT to determine it. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed data collected prospectively in a database that included patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent EBUS-TBNA. Prior to EBUS-TBNA, CT and PET were used to define the radiographic N stage and lymph nodes with short axis ≥ 1 cm by CT or with ratio between maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV), by PET, of lymph node and primary tumor greater than 0.56, were considered pathological. Definitive lymph node staging was established through EBUS-TBNA, mediastinoscopy or surgical lymph node dissection. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty four patients were included, in 88 of whom (65.6%), definitive lymph node staging was N2 or N3. Primary tumor of central location, lymph node size, maxSUV of lymph node and radiographic N stage by CT or PET were associated with N2/N3 in univariate analysis, but in logistic regression model it was only independently related with N stage by CT or PET. Negative predictive value and positive predictive value of CT were 0.81 and 0.74, respectively, and for PET 0.78 and 0.68. CONCLUSION: In NSCLC, in locoregional disease radiographic staging by CT or PET predict the existence of N2/N3 mediastinal disease, but negative and positive predictive values of both imaging techniques are not adequate, so EBUS-TBNA samples should be taken in all lymph nodes with a diameter greater than 5 mm, regardless of PET findings.

[Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis diagnosed in a nonimmunosuppressed patient 10 years after returning from an endemic area]. / Histoplasmosis pulmonar crónica en un paciente no inmunodeprimido, residente 10 años antes en una zona endémica.

We report the case of a Spanish nonimmunosuppressed patient who was a chronic alcoholic and who developed chronic cavitary pulmonary histoplasmosis. He had been living in Venezuela until 10 years ago. The diagnosis was established when Histoplasma capsulatum was cultured from bronchoscopy samples. The patient was treated with itraconazole and progressed favorably until cure. This case suggests that histoplasmosis can reactivate years after exposure, even when significant immunodeficiency is not present. In the absence of another immunosuppressive factor, alcoholism may have played a role in the development of the condition.

Enfermedades por micobacterias no tuberculosas en España: tratamiento y evolución / Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Diseases in Spain: Treatment and Evolution

No disponible

[Translated article] Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Diseases in Spain: Treatment and Evolution / Enfermedades por micobacterias no tuberculosas en España: tratamiento y evolución

No disponible

Tuberculosis Costs in Spain and Related Factors. / Costes de la tuberculosis en España: factores relacionados.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the direct and indirect costs of diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB) and associated factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective study of patients diagnosed with TB between September 2014 and September 2015. We calculated direct (hospital stays, visits, diagnostic tests, and treatment) and indirect (sick leave and loss of productivity, contact tracing, and rehabilitation) costs. The following cost-related variables were compared: age, gender, country of origin, hospital stays, diagnostic testing, sensitivity testing, treatment, resistance, directed observed therapy (DOT), and days of sick leave. Proportions were compared using the chi-squared test and significant variables were included in a logistic regression analysis to calculate odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: 319 patients were included with a mean age of 56.72±20.79 years. The average cost was €10,262.62±14,961.66, which increased significantly when associated with hospital admission, polymerase chain reaction, sputum smears and cultures, sensitvity testing, chest computed tomography, pleural biopsy, drug treatment longer than nine months, DOT and sick leave. In the multivariate analysis, hospitalization (OR=96.8; CI 29-472), sensitivity testing (OR=4.34; CI 1.71-12.1), chest CT (OR= 2.25; CI 1.08-4.77), DOT (OR=20.76; CI 4.11-148) and sick leave (OR=26,9; CI 8,51-122) showed an independent association with cost. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis gives rise to significant health spending. In order to reduce these costs, more control of transmission, and fewer hospital admissions would be required.

Enfermedad de Lemierre, a propósito de un caso / Lemierre's Disease, Case Report

La enfermedad de Lemierre, descrita por primera vez en el año 1936 por el médico Francés André Lemierre, es una complicación inusual de una infección orofaríngea, que progresa con tromboflebitis séptica secundaria e infecciones embólicas frecuentes. Es producida por microorganismos anaerobios, siendo el Fusobacterium necrophorum el germen aislado con mayor frecuencia. Para su diagnóstico, además del estudio microbiológico, se emplean los estudios por imágenes como la ecografía Doppler y la tomografía computada (TC). La antibióticoterapia precoz y prolongada, a dosis altas, ha mejorado considerablemente el pronóstico; no obstante, en ocasiones, se hace necesario recurrir a la escisión quirúrgica de las venas yugulares. En la actualidad con la terapia antimicrobiana, casos como éste son cada vez más raros, incluso a veces olvidados, pero dada su gravedad deben sospecharse ante cuadros faríngeos de evolución tórpida

Costes de la tuberculosis en España: factores relacionados / Tuberculosis costs in Spain and related factors

Objetivo. Analizar los costes directos e indirectos derivados del diagnóstico y tratamiento de la tuberculosis (TB) y sus factores asociados. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio prospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de TB entre septiembre de 2014 y septiembre de 2015. Se calcularon los costes directos (estancias hospitalarias, consultas, estudios diagnósticos y tratamiento), e indirectos (absentismo laboral y pérdida de productividad, estudio de contactos y medidas rehabilitadoras). Los costes se compararon atendiendo a las variables: edad, sexo, país de origen, ingreso hospitalario, pruebas diagnósticas, tratamiento, resistencia farmacológica, tratamiento directamente observado (TDO) y días de baja laboral. Se compararon proporciones mediante Chi cuadrado y las variables significativas se incluyeron en un modelo de regresión logística calculándose las odds ratio (OR) y sus correspondientes intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC). Resultados. Fueron incluidos 319 pacientes con una edad media de 56,72 ± 20,79 €. El coste medio fue de 10.262,62 ± 14.961,66 €, y aumentaba significativamente en relación con el ingreso hospitalario, el uso de la PCR, la realización de baciloscopia y cultivo, antibiograma, tomografía axial computarizada de tórax, biopsia pleural, tratamiento de más de 9 meses, TDO y baja laboral. En el análisis multivariante mantenían asociación independiente: ingreso hospitalario (OR = 96,8; IC: 29-472,3), antibiograma (OR = 4,34; IC: 1,71-12,1), tomografía axial computarizada de tórax (OR = 2,25; IC: 1,08-4,77), TDO (OR = 20,76; IC: 4,11-148) y baja laboral (OR = 26,9; IC: 8,51-122). Conclusión. La Tuberculosis acarrea un gasto sanitario significativo. Medidas dirigidas a mejorar el control de la enfermedad y disminuir los ingresos hospitalarios serían importantes para reducirlo

Objective. To analyze the direct and indirect costs of diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB) and associated factors. Patients and methods. Prospective study of patients diagnosed with TB between September 2014 and September 2015. We calculated direct (hospital stays, visits, diagnostic tests, and treatment) and indirect (sick leave and loss of productivity, contact tracing, and rehabilitation) costs. The following cost-related variables were compared: age, gender, country of origin, hospital stays, diagnostic testing, sensitivity testing, treatment, resistance, directed observed therapy (DOT), and days of sick leave. Proportions were compared using the chi-squared test and significant variables were included in a logistic regression analysis to calculate odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results. 319 patients were included with a mean age of 56.72 ± 20.79 years. The average cost was €10,262.62 ± 14,961.66, which increased significantly when associated with hospital admission, polymerase chain reaction, sputum smears and cultures, sensitvity testing, chest computed tomography, pleural biopsy, drug treatment longer than nine months, DOT and sick leave. In the multivariate analysis, hospitalization (OR = 96.8; CI 29-472), sensitivity testing (OR = 4.34; CI 1.71-12.1), chest CT (OR = 2.25; CI 1.08-4.77), DOT (OR = 20.76; CI 4.11-148) and sick leave (OR = 26,9; CI 8,51-122) showed an independent association with cost. Conclusion. Tuberculosis gives rise to significant health spending. In order to reduce these costs, more control of transmission, and fewer hospital admissions would be required

Enfermedad pulmonar por Mycobacterium interjectum: a propósito de un caso / Mycobacterium interjectum Lung Infection: A Case Report

No disponible

Adecuación del aislamiento respiratorio e influencia del tratamiento en lamicrobiología del esputo en pacientes con tuberculosis / No disponible

Objetivo: Evaluar la adecuación del aislamiento y la respuesta microbiológica al tratamiento en pacientes con tuberculosis (TB).Métodos: Determinaciones: 1. Adecuación del aislamiento: hospitalario (sospecha diagnóstica y aislamiento desde la admisión en la planta de hospitalización) o domiciliario (diagnóstico y tratamiento tras el alta en urgencias y aislamiento en el domicilio 15 días). 2. Influencia del tratamiento en el estado bacteriológico del esputo. Resultados: 1. De 100 pacientes consecutivos con TB, 50 tenían baciloscopia +, 37 de ellos tenían aislamiento correcto (28 hospitalario, 9 domiciliario). En los 13 restantes el aislamiento fue incorrecto,3 domiciliario (dos alta sin aislamiento y retraso diagnóstico de 7 y 10 días, otro con aislamiento 10días) y 10 ingresados (retraso de 1-14 días, media 4.5; en 5 retraso de un día y en los 5 restantes retraso de 3 a 14 días). 2. De 50 pacientes con baciloscopia + en 14 se realizó control microbiológicoal mes del inicio del tratamiento (todos baciloscopia +, 10 cultivo +). En 25 con control al 2º mes, 8baciloscopia +, 7 Cultivo +.Conclusiones: 1. Se ha objetivado que en el 13% de los pacientes con TB no se realizó el aislamiento correctamente. 2. En pacientes con TB bacilífera, tras uno o dos meses de tratamiento existe un número importante con baciloscopia y cultivo +. Se deben controlar la política de aislamiento y la respuesta microbiológica al tratamiento por la influencia que pueden tener en la transmisión de la TB (AU)

Aim: To know 1º. The respiratory isolation policy, 2º. The effect of treatment on the sputum bacteriologic status in patients with tuberculosis (TB).Methods: 1. Description of isolation policies. We defined correct isolation in hospital as diagnosis suspicion and isolation on admission and duration no less than 15 days and correct domiciliary isolation as diagnosis in emergency room with recommendation of treatment and stay at home at least 15days. 2. Follow-up of sputum status after treatment. Results: 1. 100 consecutive patients, sputum smear + in 50, 37 with correct isolation (28 in hospital and 9 domiciliary). In 13 with incorrect isolation, 3 were outpatients (2 without diagnosis neither isolation and delay in diagnosis of 7 and 10 days and another with domiciliary isolation of 10 days). In10 inpatients the diagnosis delay was 1 to 14 days (mean 4.5). 2. Fifty positive smear patients were followed-up for bacteriology controls. First month control on 14 showed positive smear for all and positive culture for 10 of them. Second month control was performed on 25, 8 of them were smear positive and 7 culture positive. Conclusions: 1. In 13% of patients with TB we did not perform the isolation correctly. 2. There was a high rate of positives smear and culture after one and two months of treatment within TB patients with initial positive smear. We must control isolation policy and bacteriologic response to treatment because of the influence that can have in TB transmission (AU)

Una dorsalgia peligrosa / A dangerous pain back

El dolor de espalda, no tiene que tener necesariamente un origen musculoesquelético, por lo que hemos de ser rigurosos al estudiar nuestros pacientes y contemplar todo tipo de posibilidades. La prescripción de las diferentes terapias, se ha de hacer después de confirmar el diagnóstico en el que los datos del historial clínico, la exploración y la evolución, deben de poner en guardia al clínico frente a patologías no habituales en el día a día del médico deportivo. La principal enseñanaza de este caso clínico es recordar el concepto global de la medicina que debe regir nuestras actuaciones, con independencia de la especialidad que ejerzamos cada uno y, la necesidad de mantener vínculos con otros profesionales en los que apoyarse

No disponible