Ultrasound assessment of schistosomiasis.

In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an ultrasound field protocol for assessing the morbidity due to Schistosoma (S.) haematobium and S. mansoni. The experience with this classification has recently been reviewed systematically. The WHO protocol was well accepted worldwide. Here we review the use of ultrasound to assess the morbidity due to schistosomiasis with emphasis on easy, quick, and reproducible ways that can be used in the field. Findings obtained with high-end ultrasound scanners in the hospital setting that might eventually have applications in the field are also described.

TB or not TB? Difficulties in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV-negative immigrants to Germany.

BACKGROUND: Immigrants to Germany and their children are at particular risk for tuberculosis (TB). - METHODS: 35 Patients (10 male / 25 female aged 2 - 59 years (median 33 years) originating mostly from high incidence countries in Asia (19 (54.3%)) in Africa (14 (40.0%) and East Europe (2 (5.7%)), attended at the Tropical Medicine Unit were analysed. - RESULTS: Primary clinical presentation was most frequently lymphadenitis (13 (37.1%)). Other organs involved included bones (7 (20.0%)), central nervous system (5 (14.3%)), urogenital organs (3 (8.6%)), lung (3 (8.6%)), mediastinum, (2 (5.7%)) and abdomen (2 (5.7%)). ESR was abnormal in 21/28 (75.0%), CRP in 20/35 (57.1%), and protein electrophoresis in 22/26 (84.6%) cases. The tuberculin skin test was strongly positive in all 15 cases where the test had been performed. Tuberculosis interferon gamma release assay (TB-IGRA) was positive in all 35 cases (100%). PCR for nucleic acids of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis complex was positive in only 7/20 (35.0%) cases. M. tuberculosis was identified in 32/35 (91.4%), M. bovis in 2 (5.7%) cases. 1 case was diagnosed clinically. All patients were negative for HIV. Typical histopathology was seen in the 29 cases, where biopsies had been taken. Chest-X-ray did not reveal specific pulmonary lesions in the majority of cases (22/35 (62.9%)). Diagnosis of TB was mostly delayed (4 to 299 weeks, (median 8)). The most frequent primary suspicion was a malignancy (17/35 (48.6%)) while TB was initially suspected in 5 cases only. Diagnosis of TB is impeded by its multifaceted presentation especially in immigrants.