Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis in Peru and Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) has been linked to an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We assessed whether latent TB infection (LTBI) is associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in 2 TB-prevalent areas. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from studies conducted in Lima, Peru, and Kampala, Uganda. Individuals ≥40 years old were included. We excluded persons with known history of ASCVD events or active TB. Participants underwent QuantiFERON-TB (QFT) testing to define LTBI and computed tomography angiography to examine coronary atherosclerosis. A Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting Data System (CAD-RADS) score ≥3 defined obstructive CAD (plaque causing ≥50% stenosis). RESULTS: 113 and 91 persons with and without LTBI, respectively, were included. There were no significant differences between LTBI and non-LTBI participants in terms of age (median [interquartile range]; 56 [51-62] vs 55 [49-64] years; P = .829), male sex (38% vs 42%; P = .519), or 10-year ASCVD risk scores (7.1 [3.2-11.7] vs 6.1 [2.8-1.8]; P = .533). CAD prevalence (any plaque) was similar between groups (29% vs 24%; P = .421). Obstructive CAD was present in 9% of LTBI and 3% of non-LTBI individuals (P = .095). LTBI was associated with obstructive CAD after adjusting for ASCVD risk score, HIV status, and study site (adjusted OR, 4.96; 95% CI, 1.05-23.44; P = .043). Quantitative QFT TB antigen minus Nil interferon-γ responses were associated with obstructive CAD (adjusted OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.03-1.41; P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: LTBI was independently associated with an increased likelihood of subclinical obstructive CAD. Our data indicate that LTBI is a nontraditional correlate of ASCVD risk.

Long-term impact on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life among patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection in a 6-month follow-up period in Lima, Peru: FUNCTION cohort study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The sequelae of COVID-19 have been described as a multisystemic condition, with a great impact on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems with abnormalities in pulmonary function tests, such as lower diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) levels and pathological patterns in spirometry; persistence of radiological lesions; cardiac involvement such as myocarditis and pericarditis; and an increase in mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Several factors, such as infection severity during the acute phase as well as vaccination status, have shown some variable effects on these post-COVID-19 conditions, mainly at a clinical level such as symptoms persistence. Longitudinal assessments and reversibility of changes across the spectrum of disease severity are required to understand the long-term impact of COVID-19. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A prospective cohort study aims to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life after the acute phase of the disease over a 6-month follow-up period. Sample size was calculated to recruit 200 participants with confirmatory COVID-19 tests who will be subsequently classified according to infection severity. Four follow-up visits at baseline, month 1, month 3 and month 6 after discharge from the acute phase of the infection will be scheduled as well as procedures such as spirometry, DLco test, 6-minute walk test, chest CT scan, echocardiogram, ECG, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide measurement and RAND-36 scale. Primary outcomes are defined as abnormal pulmonary function test considered as DLco <80%, abnormal cardiovascular function considered as left ventricular ejection fraction <50% and abnormal quality of life considered as a <40 score for each sphere in the RAND-36-Item Short Form Health Survey. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (SIDISI 203725) and the Ethics Committee of the Hospital Cayetano Heredia (042-2021). Protocol details were uploaded in ClinicalTrials.gov. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences and open-access social media platforms. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05386485.

Pro-Inflammatory Alterations of Circulating Monocytes in Latent Tuberculosis Infection.

Background: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated the activation and pro-inflammatory profile of monocytes in individuals with LTBI and their association with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Individuals 40-70 years old in Lima, Peru, underwent QuantiFERON-TB testing to define LTBI, completed a coronary computed tomography angiography to evaluate CAD, and provided blood for monocyte profiling using flow cytometry. Cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide to assess interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α responses. Results: The clinical characteristics of the LTBI (n = 28) and non-LTBI (n = 41) groups were similar. All monocyte subsets from LTBI individuals exhibited higher mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CX3CR1 and CD36 compared with non-LTBI individuals. LTBI individuals had an increased proportion of nonclassical monocytes expressing IL-6 (44.9 vs 26.9; P = .014), TNF-α (62.3 vs 35.1; P = .014), and TNF-α+IL-6+ (43.2 vs 36.6; P = .042). Among LTBI individuals, CAD was associated with lower CX3CR1 MFI on classical monocytes and lower CD36 MFI across all monocyte subsets. In multivariable analyses, lower CD36 MFI on total monocytes (b = -0.17; P = .002) and all subsets remained independently associated with CAD in LTBI. Conclusions: Individuals with LTBI have distinct monocyte alterations suggestive of an exacerbated inflammatory response and tissue migration. Whether these alterations contribute to cardiovascular disease pathogenesis warrants further investigation.

Encefalopatía y degeneración subaguda combinada por deficiencia de vitamina B12 / Encephalopathy and combined subacute degeneration due to vitamin B12 deficiency

Varón de 70 años, diabético, que desconoce a sus familiares, con amnesia transitoria de eventos recientes e inestabilidad en la marcha asociada a caídas frecuentes. Dos años antes, tuvo un episodio depresivo y pérdida progresiva de peso. Seis meses antes de su ingreso, presentó alucinaciones visuales e hipotiroidismo. Pálido, con cuadriparesia espástica. Los estudios mostraron una anemia megaloblástica, con niveles séricos muy bajos de vitamina B12, autoanticuerpos para factor intrínseco, células parietales y antiroideos, atrofia cerebral y compromiso de los cordones posteriores de C1 a D5. Tras dos meses de tratamiento con cianobalamina, el paciente recuperó el 50% de su capacidad cognitiva y motora.

A 70 year-old male, diabetic, who failed to recognize his relatives, with temporary amnesia of recent events and instability in gait associated with frequent falls. Two years earlier, he had a major depressive episode and progressive weight loss. Six months before his admission, he presented visual hallucinations and hypothyroidism. Pale, with spastic quadriparesis. The studies showed a megaloblastic anemia, with very low serum levels of vitamin B12, antibodies to intrinsic factor, parietal cells and anthyroid, brain atrophy and cord involvement from C1 to D5. After two months of treatment with cyanocobalamin, the patient recovered 50% of their cognitive and motor ability.

Neurofibromatosis tipo 1 asociada a déficit cognitivo, hidrocefalia, displasia ósea y elefantiasis / Neurofibromatosis type 1 associated to cognition deficit, hydrocephaly, bone dysplasia and elephantiasis

Se presenta el caso de un paciente varón de 31 años, procedente de Cajamarca, con problemas cognitivos desde su escolaridad temprana, que desde los 12 años desarrolló incremento progresivo de volumen y deformación de su miembro inferior derecho y en menor cuantía del izquierdo, asociado a plegamiento de piel, crecimiento de nódulos subcutáneos, con formación de cordones nerviosos en muslo y pierna que le daban un aspecto elefantiásico. Dolor y limitación funcional para la marcha. Concomitantemente, presencia en piel de manchas café con leche generalizadas y nódulos de Lisch en ambos iris. En la resonancia magnética y TAC con contraste, se evidenciaron abundantes nódulos plexiformes en cavidad abdominopélvica, que continuaban por todo el muslo, de tamaño uniforme, formando tumoraciones y cordones. Asimismo, presentó displasia ósea (adelgazamiento de la cortical del fémur y tibia, formación de neocótilo izquierdo, pseudoartrosis). La resonancia cerebral con contraste descubrió una hidrocefalia triventricular, normotensa.

We report the case of a 31 year-old male from Cajamarca, Peru, with cognitive problems since childhood, who at 12 year-old developed increased volume and deformation of his right lower limb and to a lesser extent of his left, associated to massive skin folding, growth of subcutaneous nodules, elephantine look due to nerve cords formation in thigh and leg, pain and functional walking limitation. Concomitantly generalized skin café au lait spots, subcutaneous nodules, and Lisch nodules in both irides. Magnetic resonance and contrast TAC revealed abundant uniform plexiform nodules in abdomino-pelvic cavity forming masses and cords that continued throughout his thigh as lumps and cords. In addition, the patient presented bone dysplasia (thinning of femur and tibia cortex, pseudoarthrosis, new left cotyle formation). Contrast magnetic resonance showed triventricular normotensive hydrocephalus.