Improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life Following Antibiotic Treatment in Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: Initial Analysis of the NTM-KOREA Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has emerged as a priority in the management of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). We aimed to evaluate HRQOL and its changes after 6 months' treatment in patients with NTM-PD. METHODS: The NTM-KOREA is a nationwide prospective cohort enrolling patients initiating treatment for NTM-PD in 8 institutions across South Korea. We conducted the Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) at 6-month intervals and evaluated baseline scores (higher scores indicate better quality of life) and changes after 6 months' treatment. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with improvement in the QOL-B physical functioning and respiratory symptoms domains. RESULTS: Between February 2022 and August 2023, 411 patients were included in the analysis. Baseline scores (95% confidence interval [CI]) for physical functioning and respiratory symptoms were 66.7 (46.7-86.7) and 81.5 (70.4-92.6), respectively. Among 228 patients who completed the QOL-B after 6 months' treatment, improvements in physical functioning and respiratory symptoms were observed in 61 (26.8%) and 71 (31.1%) patients, respectively. A lower score (adjusted odds ratio; 95% CI) for physical functioning (0.93; 0.91-0.96) and respiratory symptoms (0.92; 0.89-0.95) at treatment initiation was associated with a greater likelihood of physical functioning and respiratory symptom improvement, respectively; achieving culture conversion was not associated with improvement in physical functioning (0.62; 0.28-1.39) or respiratory symptoms (1.30; 0.62-2.74). CONCLUSIONS: After 6 months of antibiotic treatment for NTM-PD, HRQOL improved in almost one-third, especially in patients with severe initial symptoms, regardless of culture conversion. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03934034.

Next-generation sequencing using tissue specimen collected with a 1.1 mm-diameter cryoprobe in patients with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis is considered standard for lung cancer diagnosis in clinical practice. Little is known about the feasibility of NGS using tumour tissue sampled with a 1.1 mm-diameter cryoprobe. We aimed to investigate the suitability of specimens obtained by transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBC) using a 1.1 mm-diameter cryoprobe for NGS analysis. METHODS: Patients with lung cancer who underwent TBC using a 1.1 mm-diameter cryoprobe for NGS testing between October 2020 and April 2023 were enrolled. A 4.0- or 3.0 mm-diameter bronchoscope with radial probe endobronchial ultrasound and virtual bronchoscopic navigation was used to detect peripheral lung lesions. All procedures were performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Data were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients underwent TBC using a 1.1 mm cryoprobe for NGS testing, during the study period. Most patients (98%) were in the advanced stage of lung cancer (recurrent or inoperable disease of stages III or IV). The diagnostic yield of NGS for DNA and RNA sequencing was 95% each (53 of 56). Moderate bleeding was noted in three patients (5%) and none of the study patients developed life-threatening complications, such as pneumothorax or lung infection. CONCLUSION: TBC using a 1.1 mm-diameter cryoprobe is a useful and safe tool for NGS analysis, for both DNA and RNA sequencing.

Bronchial Washing Using a Thin Versus a Thick Bronchoscope to Diagnose Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of using a thin bronchoscope for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: Between March 2019 and November 2021, we prospectively enrolled participants with suspected PTB whose sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and tuberculosis (TB) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were negative or who could not produce self-expectorated sputum. Participants were randomized to a control group (bronchial washing [BW] using a 5.9-mm conventional bronchoscope guided by chest computed tomography) or an investigational group (BW using a 4.0-mm thin bronchoscope under virtual bronchoscopic navigation guidance). The primary outcome was detection of TB in BW fluid, defined as a positive result in the Xpert MTB/RIF assay. The secondary outcomes included AFB smear and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture positivity, time to treatment initiation, and bronchoscopy-related complications. RESULTS: In total, 85 participants were included in the final analysis (43 in the control group and 42 in the investigational group). Twenty-three and 29, respectively, were finally diagnosed with PTB. The TB detection rate in BW fluid was higher in the investigational group (72.4% vs 43.5%, P = .035). Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture positivity was also higher in the investigational group (79.3% vs 52.2%, P = .038). No participants required premature bronchoscopy termination because of complications. Of the participants with PTB, the time to treatment initiation was shorter in the investigational group (median, 2.0 days vs 4.0 days, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: BW using a thin bronchoscope increases the TB detection rate in patients with PTB compared to conventional bronchoscopy. Clinical Trials Registration.ȃNCT03802812.

9 months of delamanid, linezolid, levofloxacin, and pyrazinamide versus conventional therapy for treatment of fluoroquinolone-sensitive multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-END): a multicentre, randomised, open-label phase 2/3 non-inferiority trial in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: With the introduction of new anti-tuberculosis drugs, all-oral regimens with shorter treatment durations for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis have been anticipated. We aimed to investigate whether a new all-oral regimen was non-inferior to the conventional regimen including second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs for 20-24 months in the treatment of fluoroquinolone-sensitive multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. METHODS: In this multicentre, randomised, open-label phase 2/3 non-inferiority trial, we enrolled men and women aged 19-85 years with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis confirmed by phenotypic or genotypic drug susceptibility tests or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis by genotypic tests at 12 participating hospitals throughout South Korea. Participants with fluoroquinolone-resistant multidrug-resistant tuberculosis were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to two groups using a block randomisation, stratified by the presence of diabetes and cavitation on baseline chest radiographs. The investigational group received delamanid, linezolid, levofloxacin, and pyrazinamide for 9 months, and the control group received a conventional 20-24-month regimen, according to the 2014 WHO guidelines. The primary outcome was the treatment success rate at 24 months after treatment initiation in the modified intention-to-treat population and the per-protocol population. Participants who were "cured" and "treatment completed" were defined as treatment success following the 2014 WHO guidelines. Non-inferiority was confirmed if the lower limit of a 97·5% one-sided CI of the difference between the groups was greater than -10%. Safety data were collected for 24 months in participants who received a predefined regimen at least once. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02619994. FINDINGS: Between March 4, 2016, and Sept 14, 2019, 214 participants were enrolled, 168 (78·5%) of whom were included in the modified intention-to-treat population. At 24 months after treatment initiation, 60 (70·6%) of 85 participants in the control group had treatment success, as did 54 (75·0%) of 72 participants in the shorter-regimen group (between-group difference 4·4% [97·5% one-sided CI -9·5% to ∞]), satisfying the predefined non-inferiority margin. No difference in safety outcomes was identified between the control group and the shorter-regimen group. INTERPRETATION: 9-month treatment with oral delamanid, linezolid, levofloxacin, and pyrazinamide could represent a new treatment option for participants with fluoroquinolone-sensitive multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. FUNDING: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, South Korea.

A prospective patient registry to monitor safety, effectiveness, and utilisation of bedaquiline in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) represents a major public health concern, with an ongoing need for new effective treatments. Bedaquiline is an oral diarylquinoline that has shown encouraging treatment success and culture conversion rates in MDR-TB. METHODS: A South Korean patient registry was set up across 19 centres between 2016 and 2018 for the prospective collection of data from patients with MDR-TB who received either a bedaquiline-containing or a non-bedaquiline-containing regimen. Treatment was at the physician's discretion (bedaquiline use requiring approval by special committee) and was based on patient characteristics, disease status, and local treatment guidelines. RESULTS: The safety population included 172 patients (88 bedaquiline and 84 non-bedaquiline). The mean (standard deviation, SD) duration of follow-up was 24.3 (9.5) months. Mean (SD) durations of treatment were 5.4 (1.8) months in bedaquiline-treated patients and 15.7 (6.7) months in the non-bedaquiline group. Treatment success (cured and treatment completed according to WHO 2013 treatment outcome definitions) was achieved by 56.3% of bedaquiline-treated and 45.2% of non-bedaquiline-treated patients. Sputum culture conversion rates were 90.4% and 83.7% with and without bedaquiline, respectively. Diarrhoea and nausea were the most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in the bedaquiline group (27.3% [24/88] and 22.7% [20/88], respectively). The most frequent bedaquiline-related TEAEs were prolonged QT interval (10.2%; 9/88), and diarrhoea and nausea (9.1% each; 8/88). QT interval prolongation was reported in 19.3% (17/88) of bedaquiline-treated and 2.4% (2/84) of non-bedaquiline-treated patients, but bedaquiline was not discontinued for any patient for this reason. There were 13 (14.7%) and three (3.6%) deaths in the bedaquiline-treated and non-bedaquiline groups, respectively. Review of fatal cases revealed no unexpected safety findings, and no deaths were bedaquiline-related. The most common cause of death was worsening cancer (three patients). Patients in the bedaquiline group tended to have poorer baseline risk profiles than non-bedaquiline patients and were more likely to have relapsed or already failed second-line treatment. Interpretation of mortality data was complicated by high rates of loss to follow-up in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The South Korean registry findings support previous risk/benefit observations and the continued use of bedaquiline as part of combination therapy in patients with MDR-TB.

Nationwide Treatment Outcomes of Patients With Multidrug/Rifampin-Resistant Tuberculosis in Korea, 2011-2017: A Retrospective Cohort Study (Korean TB-POST).

BACKGROUND: The treatment outcomes of patients with multidrug/rifampin-resistant (MDR/RR) tuberculosis (TB) are important indicators that reflect the current status of TB management and identify the key challenges encountered by TB control programs in a country. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the treatment outcomes as well as predictors of unfavorable outcomes in patients with MDR/RR-TB notified from 2011 to 2017, using an integrated TB database. RESULTS: A total of 7,226 patients with MDR/RR-TB were included. The treatment success rate had significantly increased from 63.9% in 2011 to 75.1% in 2017 (P < 0.001). Among unfavorable outcomes, the proportion of patients who failed, were lost to follow up, and were not evaluated had gradually decreased (P < 0.001). In contrast, TB-related death rate was not significantly changed (P = 0.513), while the non-TB related death rate had increased from 3.2% in 2011 to 11.1% in 2017 (P < 0.001). Older age, male sex, immigrants, low household income, previous history of TB treatment, and comorbidities were independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Of the 5,308 patients who were successfully treated, recurrence occurred in 241 patients (4.5%) at a median 18.4 months (interquartile range, 9.2-32.4) after completion treatment. CONCLUSION: The treatment outcomes of patients with MDR/RR-TB has gradually improved but increasing deaths during treatment is an emerging challenge for MDR-TB control in Korea. Targeted and comprehensive care is needed for vulnerable patients such as the elderly, patients with comorbidities, and those with low household incomes.

Early Bactericidal Activity of Delpazolid (LCB01-0371) in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Delpazolid, an oxazolidinone, has been studied in non-clinical studies of efficacy and toxicity and Phase 1 clinical studies. Delpazolid has in vitro activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study evaluated the bactericidal activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of delpazolid in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Seventy-nine subjects, aged 19 to 75 years with newly diagnosed smear-positive TB with no prior treatment for the current episode and no confirmed resistance to rifampin or isoniazid, were randomized to receive delpazolid 800 mg once a day (QD), 400 mg twice a day (BID), 800 mg BID or 1,200 mg QD or an active control of isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol (HRZE) or linezolid 600 mg BID. The primary endpoint was the average daily reduction in log transformed bacterial load, assessed on 7H11 solid-media culture, from days 0 to 14. The average daily decline in log-CFU was 0.044 ± 0.016, 0.053 ± 0.017, 0.043 ± 0.016, and 0.019 ± 0.017, for the delpazolid 800 mg QD, 400 mg BID, 800 mg BID, and the 1,200 mg QD groups, respectively. The average daily decline in log-CFU was 0.192 ± 0.028 for the HRZE group and 0.154 ± 0.023 for the linezolid 600 mg BID group. Three serious adverse events (SAE) were reported, one each in the delpazolid 400 mg BID group (death due to worsening of TB at day 2), the HRZE group (hospitalization due to pleural effusion) and the linezolid group (hyperkalemia); none of the SAEs were assessed as related to study drugs. This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with registration number NCT02836483.

Safety and Diagnostic Yield of Radial Probe Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy for Peripheral Lung Lesions in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (RP-EBUS-TBLB) is widely used for diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions (PLLs). To date, there have been no reports regarding the clinical outcomes of RP-EBUS-TBLB for PLLs in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). OBJECTIVES: This study was performed between October 2017 and December 2019 to identify the safety and diagnostic performance of RP-EBUS-TBLB in IPF patients. METHODS: Patients were divided into the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) group (n = 39, 4%), the probable UIP group (n = 12, 1%), and the noninterstitial lung disease (non-ILD) group (n = 903, 95%). RESULTS: The diagnostic yield was significantly lower in the UIP group than in the non-ILD group (62% vs. 76%; p = 0.042), but there were no significant differences between the UIP and probable UIP groups (62% vs. 83%; p = 0.293) or the probable UIP and non-ILD groups (83% vs. 76%; p = 0.741). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the mean diameter of PLLs, positive bronchus sign on CT, and "within the lesion" status on EBUS were independently associated with success of the procedure. Especially, the presence of the UIP pattern on CT (OR, 0.385; 95% CI: 0.172-0.863; p = 0.020) was independently associated with failed diagnosis. Among patients with UIP, "within the lesion" status on EBUS (OR, 25.432; 95% CI: 2.321-278.666; p = 0.008) was shown to be a factor contributing to a successful diagnosis. Overall, there were no significant differences in complication rates among the 3 study groups. CONCLUSION: RP-EBUS-TBLB can be performed safely with an acceptable diagnostic yield, even in patients with IPF.

Role of digital tomosynthesis in the context of tuberculosis contact investigation: comparisons with digital radiography.

BACKGROUND: Chest radiography value as a screening tool in those exposed to pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is reduced by its lower sensitivity to detect small intrapulmonary lesions. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of digital tomosynthesis (DTS) screening of individuals that had contacted persons with active TB using low-dose computed tomography (CT) as the reference standard methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective, community-based screening study of 90 adults who had been in close contact with a TB case was undertaken at our institution. All individuals underwent clinical evaluation, digital radiography (DR), DTS, and low-dose chest CT. Observers assessed and classified DR and DTS images using CT as the reference-standard method. Based on clinical and imaging findings, TB status was classified as normal, latent, minimal, subclinical, and active. Diagnostic performances of DTS and DR for the interpretation of correct diagnosis were calculated. RESULTS: The estimated effective doses for DR, DTS, and low-dose CT were 0.01 mSv, 0.1 mSv, and 0.33 mSv, respectively. TB statuses of the 90 individuals were as follows: 62 latent (68.9%); two subclinical (2.2%); and one minimal (1.1%). The sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies of DTS and DR in the interpretation of correct diagnosis were 75.8%, 100%, 91.1% and 48.5%, 96.5%, 78.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DTS appears to be superior to DR for the detection of lung lesions in individuals with TB contacts. DTS can offer a reasonable option for TB contact investigation.

Additional Drug Resistance in Patients with Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in Korea: a Multicenter Study from 2010 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Drug-resistance surveillance (DRS) data provide key information for building an effective treatment regimen in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This study was conducted to investigate the patterns and trends of additional drug resistance in MDR-TB patients in South Korea. METHODS: Phenotypic drug susceptibility test (DST) results of MDR-TB patients collected from seven hospitals in South Korea from 2010 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 633 patients with MDR-TB were included in the analysis. Of all patients, 361 (57.0%) were new patients. All patients had additional resistance to a median of three anti-TB drugs. The resistance rates of any fluoroquinolone (FQ), linezolid, and cycloserine were 26.2%, 0.0%, and 6.3%, respectively. The proportions of new patients and resistance rates of most anti-TB drugs did not decrease during the study period. The number of additional resistant drugs was significantly higher in FQ-resistant MDR-TB than in FQ-susceptible MDR-TB (median of 9.0 vs. 2.0). Among 26 patients with results of minimum inhibitory concentrations for bedaquiline (BDQ) and delamanid (DLM), one (3.8%) and three (11.5%) patients were considered resistant to BDQ and DLM with interim critical concentrations, respectively. Based on the DST results, 72.4% and 24.8% of patients were eligible for the World Health Organization's longer and shorter MDR-TB treatment regimen, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proportions of new patients and rates of additional drug resistance in patients with MDR-TB were high and remain stable in South Korea. A nationwide analysis of DRS data is required to provide effective treatment for MDR-TB patients in South Korea.

Patterns of sensitization to aeroallergens and their effect on airway hyper-responsiveness in Busan, Korea.

BACKGROUND: Allergen sensitization and its influence on allergic disease can vary depending on ethnicity and geography. OBJECTIVE: To investigate aeroallergen sensitization patterns and their effect on airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) in Busan, Korea. METHODS: We reviewed data for subjects who attended for evaluation of respiratory symptoms between 2011 and 2016. The skin test results of 16 allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, cat, dog, Alternaria, Aspergillus fumigatus, early blossoming tree pollen mix, late blossoming tree pollen mix, alder, birch, oak, grass mix, mugwort, ragweed, and Japanese hop) were analyzed. Age was categorized as group I (15 to < 65 years) or group II (≥ 65 years). RESULTS: A total of 2,791 subjects were analyzed (mean age: 50.9 years, female 61.3%). AHR was demonstrated in 15.8%; sputum eosinophilia in 12.1%; and atopy in 31.2%. The most commonly sensitizing allergen was house dust mite (17.4% to D. pteronyssinus and 17.9% to D. farinae), followed by late blossoming tree pollen mix (8.8%) and early blossoming tree pollen mix (8.6%). AHR was associated with sensitization to D. pteronyssinus, D. farina, Alternaria, dog, cat, alder, birch, oak, and mugwort. However, group II did not show any associations between AHR and any of the aeroallergens except D. farina. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the independent factors for AHR were ever-smoker status, D. farina, and oak sensitization. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitization to house dust mites and tree pollen was found to be common in Busan. These aeroallergens significantly affected AHR, particularly in the younger group.

Early discontinuation of ethambutol in pulmonary tuberculosis treatment based on results of the GenoType MTBDRplus assay: A prospective, multicenter, non-inferiority randomized trial in South Korea.

No studies have investigated whether discontinuation of ethambutol (EMB) based on the susceptibility to isoniazid and rifampin as determined by the GenoType MTBDRplus assay would be appropriate. We aimed to determine the feasibility of discontinuing EMB before the end of intensive phase treatment based on the result of MTBDRplus assay in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). This prospective, multicenter non-inferiority randomized trial was conducted at 12 referral centers in South Korea in drug-susceptible PTB patients who initiated the standard four-drug regimen for PTB. Based on the results of the assay, EMB was discontinued in the MTBDRplus group after the confirmation that M. tuberculosis isolate was susceptible to isoniazid and rifampin. The timepoint for EMB discontinuation in the Guideline group was determined using the results of the phenotypic drug susceptibility test based on the Korean National TB Guidelines. The primary outcome was treatment success. Secondary outcomes included the 1-year rates of recurrence and adverse events. Of 600 randomized patients, the treatment outcome analysis was performed for 493 patients (MTBDRplus group, 244; Guideline group, 249). Treatment success rates were 93.9% (229/224) in the MTBDRplus group and 93.6% (233/249) in the Guideline group and did not differ between groups; relative risk 1.00 (95% CI 0.95-1.06). The 1-year recurrence rate between the two groups (0.9% vs. 0.5%, respectively) and differences in adverse drug reactions did not differ between groups. In conclusion, early discontinuation of EMB based on the results of the MTBDRplus assay did not affect the treatment outcomes in PTB.

Clinical outcomes of radial probe endobronchial ultrasound using a guide sheath for diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions in patients with pulmonary emphysema.

BACKGROUND: Generally, structural destruction of lung parenchyma, such as pulmonary emphysema, is considered to be related to the low diagnostic yields and high complication rates of lung biopsies of peripheral lung lesions. Currently, little is known about the clinical outcomes of using endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) to diagnose peripheral lesions in patients with emphysema. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed to identify the clinical outcomes of EBUS-GS in patients with pulmonary emphysema. This study included 393 consecutive patients who received EBUS-GS between February 2017 and April 2018. The patients were classified according to the severity of their emphysema, and factors possibly contributing to a successful EBUS-GS procedure were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall diagnostic yield of EBUS-GS in patients with no or mild emphysema was significantly higher than in those with moderate or severe pulmonary emphysema (78% vs. 61%, P = 0.007). There were no procedure-related complications. The presence of a bronchus sign on CT (P <  0.001) and a "within the lesion" status on EBUS (P = 0.009) were independently associated with a successful EBUS-GS procedure. Although the diagnostic yield of EBUS-GS in patients with moderate-to-severe emphysema was relatively low, a bronchus sign and "within the lesion" status on EBUS were contributing factors for a successful EBUS-GS. CONCLUSIONS: EBUS-GS is a safe procedure with an acceptable diagnostic yield, even when performed in patients with pulmonary emphysema. The presence of a bronchus sign and "within the lesion" status on EBUS were predictors of a successful procedure.

Interim outcomes of delamanid for the treatment of MDR- and XDR-TB in South Korea.

Objectives: Delamanid is a new anti-TB drug, but few data exist on its use outside clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy as well as the safety and tolerability of a delamanid-containing regimen for 24 weeks in the treatment of MDR- and XDR-TB. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study among patients with MDR/XDR-TB who were treated with a delamanid-containing regimen in seven hospitals in South Korea. Results: A total of 32 patients with MDR-TB, of which 6 (18.8%) were XDR-TB, were included and all completed 24 weeks of delamanid treatment. Of 19 patients (59.4%) who had positive culture sputum at the initiation of delamanid treatment, the proportion of culture conversion at 8 weeks was 72.2% (13 of 18) in solid medium and 50.0% (7 of 14) in liquid medium. The proportion of culture conversion at 24 weeks was 94.4% (17 of 18) in solid medium and 92.9% (13 of 14) in liquid medium. The median time to culture conversion was 33 days (range = 5-81) using solid medium and 57 days (range = 8-96) using liquid medium. Of the 32 patients, there was no serious adverse event or death. Three patients developed a transient QTcF of > 500 ms. Conclusions: The use of delamanid combined with optimized background regimens has the potential to achieve high culture conversion rates at 24 weeks with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile in patients with MDR/XDR-TB.

Treatment outcomes and factors affecting treatment outcomes of new patients with tuberculosis in Busan, South Korea: a retrospective study of a citywide registry, 2014-2015.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the treatment outcomes, and factors affecting the outcomes, of new tuberculosis (TB) patients in Busan, South Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the citywide TB registry data (collected for the Korean National TB Surveillance System) of new TB patients registered in Busan from January 2014 to December 2015. RESULTS: A total of 4732 patients were included in this study (mean age, 52.5 ± 19.9 years; 58.4% male). The overall treatment success rate was 83.9% (cured, 20.2%; completed, 63.7%); 8.0% of patients died, and 3.6% were lost to follow-up. In multivariate analyses, a higher rate of loss to follow-up was associated with foreign nationality, registered as TB-positive at least twice, and being in Q4 (fourth quintile) or Q5 (fifth quintile) of the regional deprivation index. Conversely, a lower rate of loss to follow-up was associated with female gender, smear-positive for pulmonary TB (PTB), and the treatment outcome being reported by a public health centre. Higher mortality was associated with old age (≥ 75 years), smear-positive PTB, treatment outcome being reported by the hospital, and being registered as TB-positive twice. Lower mortality was associated with female gender, treatment outcome being reported by a public health centre or clinic, and Q5 of the regional deprivation index. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment outcomes of new TB patients were sub-optimal in Busan. TB control programs should maintain close monitoring and provide greater socioeconomic support to patients at high risk of poor treatment outcomes.

Factors Affecting Postoperative Lung Expansion in Patients with Pyogenic Empyema.

BACKGROUND: In patients with parapneumonic empyema, decortication is usually preferred to ensure functional lung re-expansion. However, there could be patients exhibiting incomplete postoperative lung expansion and inadequate drainage despite decortication. Therefore, we evaluated factors affecting postoperative lung expansion in patients undergoing decortication. METHODS: A total of 221 patients with pyogenic empyema who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) between January and October 2016 in our hospital were reviewed in terms of surgical success. The following factors were evaluated: age; the time between identification of a localized effusion and surgical referral; chest tube drainage durations; any underlying morbidity preoperative blood culture data; and the thickness of the visceral pleura. RESULTS: Several factors that significantly prolonged the postoperative time to lung expansion were evident in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and bacteremia; postoperative chest tube drainage was significantly longer in those with DM (p = 0.009) and bacteremia (p = 0.01); and postoperative hospitalization time was significantly longer in patients with bacteremia (p = 0.01). The thickness of the visceral pleura was strongly correlated with postoperative chest tube drainage duration and postoperative hospitalization time (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.245, p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DM, bacteremia, or thickened pleura, the time to lung expansion after operation was longer. Therefore, stricter pre- and post-operative control of blood-sugar levels and adequate antibiotics are required to facilitate postoperative lung re-expansion. In patients with thickened pleurae, prolonged chest tube placement is unavoidable.

Muscular sarcoidosis involving the chest and abdominal walls: case report with MR imaging.

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disorder that is characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas in tissues, involving many organs and tissues. Extra-pulmonary, especially muscular sarcoidosis is a rare condition. The most common location of the muscular sarcoidosis is known to be the proximal muscles of the extremities; however, there have been no cases of diffuse involvement of the chest and abdominal wall muscles. Here, we report a rare muscular sarcoidosis with infiltrative pattern in the chest and abdominal wall muscles and describe the MR imaging findings that were mistaken as lymphoma at initial diagnosis. Although our case did not show characteristic MR findings of muscular sarcoidosis, clinicians or radiologists who are aware of these imaging features can perform early systemic survey for sarcoidosis. Also muscle biopsy is very important to confirm the sarcoidosis and distinguish it from other tumors.

Bronchoscopic Strategies to Improve Diagnostic Yield in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients.

In cases where pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is not microbiologically diagnosed via sputum specimens, bronchoscopy has been the conventional method to enhance diagnostic rates. Although the additional benefit of bronchoscopy in diagnosing PTB is well-known, its overall effectiveness remains suboptimal. This review introduces several strategies for improving PTB diagnosis via bronchoscopy. First, it discusses how bronchoalveolar lavage or an increased number of bronchial washings can increase specimen abundance. Second, it explores how thin or ultrathin bronchoscopes can achieve specimen acquisition closer to tuberculosis (TB) lesions. Third, it highlights the importance of conducting more sensitive TB-polymerase chain reaction tests on bronchoscopic specimens, including the Xpert MTB/RIF assay and the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay. Finally, it surveys the implementation of endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath for tuberculomas, collection of post-bronchoscopy sputum, and reduced use of lidocaine for local anesthesia. A strategic combination of these approaches may enhance the diagnostic rates in PTB patients undergoing bronchoscopy.

Timing and predictors of death during treatment in patients with multidrug/rifampin-resistant tuberculosis in South Korea.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the timing and predictors of death during treatment among patients with multidrug/rifampin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in South Korea. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that included MDR/RR-TB cases notified between 2011 and 2017 in South Korea. Results: Among 7,226 MDR/RR-TB cases, 699 (9.7%) died at a median of 167 days (IQR 51-358 d) from the initiation of MDR-TB treatment. The cumulative proportion of all-cause death was 35.5% at 90 days and 52.8% at 180 days from treatment initiation. TB-related deaths occurred at a median of 133 days (IQR 32-366 d), which was significantly earlier than the median of 184 days (IQR 68-356 d) for non-TB-related deaths (p = 0.002). In a multivariate analysis, older age was the factor most strongly associated with death, with those aged ≥ 75 years being 68 times more likely to die (aHR 68.11, 95% CI 21.75-213.26), compared those aged ≤ 24 years. In addition, male sex, comorbidities (cancer, human immunodeficiency virus, and end stage renal disease), the lowest household income class, and TB-specific factors (previous history of TB treatment, smear positivity, and fluoroquinolone resistance) were identified as independent predictors of all-cause death. Conclusions: This nationwide study highlights increased deaths during the intensive phase and identifies high-risk groups including older people and those with comorbidities or socioeconomic vulnerabilities. An integrated and comprehensive strategy is required to reduce mortality in patients with MDR/RR-TB, particularly focusing on the early stages of treatment and target populations.