Evaluation of treatment regimens and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis: a 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Considering its early bactericidal activity, isoniazid (H) is an important first-line agent in tuberculosis (TB) treatment.The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment regimens and results of H-resistant pulmonary TB patients. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated treatment regimens and results of 188 H-resistant pulmonary TB patients who were treated in our center between January 2015 and December 2017. Treatment regimens applied were noted and treatment outcomes were recorded. The long-term results were evaluated. RESULTS: Totally 174 (92.6%) of 188 patients with H-resistant pulmonary TB achieved treatment success. Ninety-seven patients (51.6%)were cured and 77 patients (41.0%) completed treatment. Five patients (2.7%) had treatment failure. Four patients (2.1%) having treatment success relapsed during one-year follow-up. Eighteen patients (9.6%) had unfavorable outcomes, including treatment failure in five (2.7%), death in nine (4.8%), and relapse in four patients (2.1%). The treatment success rate was found to be statistically higher in group 1 (9-month regimen 2HREZ/7HRE) compared with those in group 2 (9HREZ) (97.4% vs. 85.9%; p = 0.010). Group 3 (HREZFQ) and group 1 had statistically significant favorable outcomes, compared to group 2 (group 2 vs. group 3, p = 0.048; group 1 vs. group 2, p = 0.022). Interestingly, no relapse and acquired rifampicin resistance in patients occurred who received an FQ-containing regimen. DISCUSSION: Our study results show higher treatment success and positive results with the treatment regimen containing FQ and that treatment with HREZ for nine months is associated with a lower treatment success rate.

Management of Polydrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Background and Objectives: There is a lack of information regarding the effective duration of treatment necessary to prevent the development of acquired resistance when fluoroquinolones (FQ), and/or pyrazinamide (Z) resistance has occurred in patients with polydrug-resistant tuberculosis and isoniazid resistance. The management of these kinds of patients should be carried out in experienced centers according to drug susceptibility test results, clinical status of the patient and the extensity of the disease. Materials and Methods: We evaluated treatment regimens, treatment outcomes, and drug adverse effects in seven patients with polydrug-resistant tuberculosis, including those with Z and/or FQ resistance in a retrospective analysis Results: Regarding the patients with polydrug-resistant tuberculosis in addition to isoniazid (H) resistance, three had Z, two had FQ, and the remaining two had both Z and FQ resistance. In the intensive phase of the treatment, the patients were given at least four drugs according to drug susceptibility tests, and at least three drugs in the continuation phase. The duration of treatment was 9-12 months. Two of the patients were foreign nationals, and could not be followed up with due to returning to their home countries. Regarding the remaining five patients, three of them were terminated as they completed treatment, and two as cured. No recurrence was observed in the first year of the treatment. The most common, and serious drug side effect was seen for amikacin. Conclusions: In patients with polydrug-resistant TB, if Z and/or FQ resistance is detected in addition to H resistance, the treatment of these patients should be conducted on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the patient's resistance pattern, clinical condition, and disease prognosis. Close monitoring of the side effects will increase the success rate of the treatment.

A rare case series of HIV-negative patients with early relapsing cervical tuberculosis lymphadenitis.

Most patients with early recurrent tuberculous lymphadenitis (RTL) can be overlooked due to the paucibacillary character of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) causing difficulty in the differential diagnosis. Here, we present three cases with early RTL that occurred after completing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) therapy with a cure, and that improved by early diagnosis and therapy. A 30-year-old migrant male, HIV-negative patient, who had used immunosuppressive drugs for Crohn's disease presented to the TB outpatient clinic with a new anterior cervical lymph node enlargement. Two months ago, his therapy for pulmonary TB and intra-abdominal tuberculous lymphadenitis (TL) was completed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of purulent fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimen from the anterior cervical lymphadenopathy (LAP) was detected positive for MTBC. Isoniazid (H) resistance was determined via the Seegene system. The 6 cm anterior cervical LAP regressed to a 1.6 cm LAP at the 4th month of initial therapy with first-line antitubercular drugs. A 25-year-old female, the HIV-negative patient, was admitted to the TB outpatient clinic with a bulge on the submandibular area 3 months after the cessation of pulmonary multidrug-resistance TB therapy lasting 2 years. She had an index case but no comorbidity. The cytomorphology of FNA biopsy from the submandibular LAP reported granuloma with necrosis. RT-PCR of the purulent FNA specimen was positive for MTBC. H and rifampicin (R) resistances were found via the Seegene system. The right submandibular 2.9 cm LAP improved to a 1.7 cm LAP 6 months after the initiation of second-line antitubercular therapy. A 19-year-old male, the HIV-negative patient, presented to the TB outpatient clinic with a new bulge on the left supraclavicular area 9 months after cessation of pulmonary TB. He had no comorbidity and index case. RT-PCR of the purulent FNA specimen was positive for MTBC. H and R sensitivities were determined via the Seegene system. After the initial therapy with first-line antitubercular drugs for 2 months, the 1.5 cm left supraclavicular LAP improved to a 1.2 cm LAP.

Interferon-Inducible Protein-10 as a Marker to Detect Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Patients with Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases.

It is important to identify cases of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) who are at risk for tuberculosis (TB) reactivation. We aimed to evaluate the performance of interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) as a marker to detect LTBI in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD). This study comprised 76 consecutive subjects with IRD. Patients with a history of TB or having active TB were excluded. In all patients, IP-10 level was measured and tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) were performed. Seventy patients with complete test results were analyzed. Twenty-one (30%) QFT-GIT-positive patients were defined as having LTBI. IP-10 yielded 2197 pg/mL cut-off point. At this cut-off point, IP-10 showed 89% specificity with a sensitivity of 91% (AUC: 0.950, 95% CI 0.906-0.994). TST, QFT-GIT, and IP-10 were positive in 77.1%, 30%, and 44.3% of the patients, respectively. Concordance among the results of TST, QFT-GIT, and IP-10 tests was evaluated. Agreement was poor between IP-10 and TST (58.6%, κ = 0.19), whereas it was good between QFT-GIT and IP-10 (84.3%, κ = 0.65). The results of the present study demonstrated that sensitivity and specificity of released IP-10 were as high as those of QFT-GIT in indicating LTBI in IRD patient group.

Benign Solitary Pulmonary Necrotic Nodules: How Effectively Does Pathological Examination Explain the Cause?

Aims: We investigated the histopathological features of solitary pulmonary necrotic nodules (NNs) of undetermined cause. We combined our findings with those obtained using other methods to determine how well the etiological factors were explained. Methods: We screened patients who underwent surgery to treat solitary pulmonary granulomatous and nongranulomatous NNs of undetermined cause. The NN sizes and features of both the NNs and adjacent parenchyma were evaluated. Histochemical analyses included Ehrlich-Ziehl-Neelsen (EZN), Grocott, and Gram staining. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect tuberculous and nontuberculous mycobacteria, panfungal DNA, Nocardia, Francisella tularensis types A and B, and actinomycetes. Results: The NNs were granulomatous in 78.9% and nongranulomatous in 21% of the 114 patients included. EZN staining or PCR was positive for Mycobacterium in 53.5% of all NNs: 62.2% of granulomatous and 20.8% of nongranulomatous NNs. We found a weak but significant correlation between granulomatous NNs and Bacillus positivity and a significant correlation between granulomas surrounding the NNs and the presence of multiple necroses. The NN etiology was determined via histopathological, histochemical, and PCR analyses in 57% of patients but remained undetermined in 42.9%. Conclusion: The causes of both granulomatous and nongranulomatous NNs can be determined by pathological examination. Granulomatous necrosis and granulomas in the adjacent parenchyma are important for differential diagnosis. When both features are present, they strongly support a diagnosis of tuberculosis, even in the absence of bacilli.

Carotid intima-media thickness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and survival: A multicenter prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a noninvasive method assessing atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: It was aimed to determine relationship and survival between COPD and CIMT. METHODS: CIMT was measured using Doppler ultrasound (USG) in 668 stable COPD patients at 24 centers. Patients were followed-up for 2 years. RESULTS: There were 610 patients who completed the study. There were 200 patients CIMT with <0.78 mm (group 1), and 410 with CIMT ≥ 0.78 mm (group 2). There was a significant difference at the parameters of age, gender, smoking load, biomass exposure, GOLD groups and degree of airway obstruction (FEV1) between groups 1 and 2. Our results revealed positive correlations between mean CIMT and age, smoking load (pack-years), biomass exposure (years), exacerbation rate (last year), duration of hypertension (years) and cholesterol level; negative correlations between CIMT and FEV1 (P < 0.05). According to logistic regression model, compared with group A, risk of CIMT increase was 2.2-fold in group B, 9.7-fold in group C and 4.4-fold in group D (P < 0.05). Risk of CIMT increase was also related with cholesterol level (P < 0.05). Compared with infrequent exacerbation, it was 2.8-fold in the patients with frequent exacerbation (P < 0.05). The mean survival time was slightly higher in group 1, but not significant (23.9 vs 21.8 months) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study is the first regarding CIMT with combined GOLD assessment groups. It has revealed important findings supporting the increase in atherosclerosis risk in COPD patients. We recommend Doppler USG of the carotid artery in COPD patients at severe stages.

The Adverse Effects and Treatment Results of Smoking Cessation Pharmacotherapy During Fasting/Non-Fasting State.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is one of the most common addictions worldwide. Muslim smokers reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke during Ramadan due to the long fasting hours. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to share our experience in a smoking cessation clinic during Ramadan by analyzing the efficacy and adverse effects of once-daily dosing of bupropion or varenicline in a fasting group compared with conventional dosing in a non-fasting group. METHODS: We analyzed 57 patients who attended our smoking cessation clinic during Ramadan of 2014 and 2015, and at least one follow-up visit. For the fasting patients, we prescribed bupropion or varenicline after dinner (once daily) as the maintenance therapy. We recorded demographic characteristics of the patients, fasting state, drugs taken for smoking cessation, and the dosage of the medication. At the first follow-up visit, adverse effects seen with the treatment were recorded. We conducted telephone interviews 6 months after the first visits of the patients to learn the current smoking status of the groups. RESULTS: Of the total 57 patients, 20 (35.1%) were fasting and 37 (64.9%) were not fasting. Fasting and non-fasting patients were similar for sex, age, smoking pack-years, marital status, educational status, and mean Fagerström scores (p >.05). Adverse effects and quit rates after 6 months of follow-up were similar between the fasting and non-fasting groups (p >.05). CONCLUSION: Although our sample size was small, we found no difference in the rates of adverse effects or smoking cessation using a single daily oral dose of bupropion or varenicline between a fasting group and a non-fasting group that received conventional dosing.

Does Short Message Service Increase Adherence to Smoking Cessation Clinic Appointments and Quitting Smoking?

BACKGROUND: Using innovative and scientific methods increases the rate of quitting in smokers. Short message service (SMS) is a communication tool widely used and well integrated in many people's daily lives. To increase adherence to appointments in smoking cessation clinics (SCC), it is thought that increased compliance could be achieved by falling outside the traditional methods. SMS has been shown to increase the compliance of patients with SCC appointments. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of SMS in the compliance of patients with SCC follow-up visits and smoking cessation success. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Our study was a controlled, open, prospective study. We enrolled 436 cases applied to SCC of Yedikule Training and Research Hospital between 01.10.2013-30.06.2014 and agreed to follow-up with SMS. SMS was sent to the patients to remind them of appointments at the SCC and to query their smoking state. RESULTS: Two hundred-and-eighty seven (65.8%) of the patients were male and 149 (34.2%) were female. The mean age was 45±12 years. In this study, 296 (67.9%) patients had graduated from primary school. Our patients' smoking state was queried by telephone at the 6-month follow-up and we contacted 348 patients. According to this, 88 (25.3%) patients were not smoking, and 260 (74.7%) patients were smokers. Therefore, the smoking cessation rate was 24% (n=60) in patients who did not respond to SMS reminders at all, and 28.6% (n=28) in patients answering any SMS at least once (p=0.377). Smoking cessation rate of the patients invited by SMS but who did not attend any control visits was 19.1%, and it was 34.5% in patients coming to a control visit at least once. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, there was increased success of smoking cessation in patients coming to control visits. We think that this may result from the possibly increased compliance to SCC appointments following reminders by SMS, and that this may also increase smoking cessation success.

Factors affecting dropout in the smoking cessation outpatient clinic.

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of discontinuation in the smoking cessation outpatient clinic (SCC) and to examine the features of noncompliance. We retrospectively included 1324 smokers into the study. Patients were divided into two groups, as those who discontinued (dropped out) follow-up (group 1) and those who stayed in follow-up (group 2). Of the total 1324 smokers, 540 (40.8%) patients were in group 1. The mean age, smoking pack-years, and Fagerstrom scores of group 1 were lower than group 2 (p = 0.001, p = 0.008, and p = 0.007, respectively). In addition, the choice of treatment was also different between groups (p < 0.001). Motivational/behavioral therapy and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) were more common in group 1 compared with group 2. There was no difference among groups in gender, having household smokers, history of antidepressant treatment, previous quit attempts, and educational status (p > 0.05). Almost 40% of our patients did not come to their follow-up SCC visit. Younger age, lower Fagerstrom score, low amount of daily cigarette consumption, and being treated only with behavioral therapy or NRT were detected as the characteristics of the dropout group. Awareness of the characteristics of smokers who drop out of SCC programs may provide for the implementation of personalized treatment at the first appointment.

Prevalence and outcomes of comorbid illnesses in elderly patients with respiratory diseases.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of comorbidities in very elderly patients hospitalized as a result of acute respiratory diseases and to analyze sex-specific differences, and to examine the effects of these comorbidities on their treatment outcomes. METHODS: A total of 3316 patients were admitted to our pulmonary inpatient clinic between 2009 and 2011, and 243 of them (aged over 80 years) with acute respiratory disease were included in our study. Data were retrospectively collected, and included demographic features, comorbidities, laboratory findings, length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In total of 243, 144 patients (59.3%) were men and 99 patients (40.7%) were women. The mean age was 84 ± 3 years. The prevalence of comorbidity was 75.7% (n = 184). The most common comorbid disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was congestive heart failure (32.9%), and it was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (49.4%) in patients with pneumonia. The rate of having one comorbidity was 58.2% (n = 107) and 35.3% (n = 65) had two. Approximately half (52.6%) of the in-hospital deaths occurred within the first 48 hours of hospitalization. The number of comorbidities was higher in the deceased patients compared with the living patients (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the majority of our patients had at least one comorbidity. The first 48 hours of hospitalization was very important, especially for the patients with comorbidities, to determine the need for intensive care unit and prognosis. The coexistence of comorbidities can increase the risk of mortality in the elderly. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 791-796.

Categorization of COPD patients in Turkey via GOLD 2013 strategy document: ALPHABET study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine distribution of COPD assessment categories and physicians' adherence to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2013 strategy in Turkish COPD patients. METHODS: A total of 1,610 COPD patients (mean [standard deviation] age: 62.6 [9.9] years, 85.7% were males) were included in this multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional study. Patients were categorized via GOLD 2013 strategy document. Consistency between reported and re-classified GOLD categories, and measures used for symptom evaluation and exacerbation was analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 41.1% of patients were assigned to GOLD A, while 13.2% were assigned to GOLD C categories. Long-acting beta-2 agonist + long-acting muscarinic antagonist + inhaled corticosteroid regimen was the most common treatment (62.0%). Over-treatment was noted in >70% of GOLD A, B, and C patients. A high consistency between measures of symptom evaluation (Kappa coefficient =0.993, P<0.0001) and a low-moderate consistency between exacerbation risk measures (Kappa coefficient =0.237, P<0.0001) were noted. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed GOLD A as the most prevalent category in Turkish cohort of COPD patients. Group assignment was altered depending on the chosen measure for symptom and risk assessment. Physician non-adherence to treatment recommendations in GOLD 2013 document leading to over-treatment in patients assigned to GOLD A, B, and C categories was also detected.

Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in various lung diseases.

OBJECTIVE: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a new method for the diagnosis and staging of lung disease, and its use is increasing worldwide. It has been used as a means of diagnosing lung cancer in its initial stages, and there are data supporting its use for the diagnosis of benign lung disease. The aim of this study was to share our experience with EBUS-TBNA and discuss its diagnostic value. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the results related to 159 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA at our pulmonary medicine clinic between 2010 and 2013. We recorded the location and size of lymph nodes seen during EBUS. Lymph nodes that appeared to be affected on EBUS were sampled at least twice. We recorded the diagnostic results of EBUS-TBNA and (for cases in which EBUS-TBNA yielded an inconclusive diagnosis) the final diagnoses after further investigation and follow-up. RESULTS: We evaluated 159 patients, of whom 89 (56%) were male and 70 (44%) were female. The mean age was 54.6 ± 14.2 years among the male patients and 51.9 ± 11.3 years among the female patients. Of the 159 patients evaluated, 115 (84%) were correctly diagnosed by EBUS. The diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA was 83% for benign granulomatous diseases and 77% for malignant diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic value of EBUS-TBNA is also high for benign pathologies, such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. In patients with mediastinal disorders, the use of EBUS-TBNA should be encouraged, primarily because it markedly reduces the need for mediastinoscopy.

Cathelicidin as a link between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis.

SETTING: Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis share notable clinical, radiological, histological, and immunological similarities. The importance of vitamin D has long been investigated in these two granulomatous lung diseases. Cathelicidin is an antimicrobial peptide of the innate immune system, directly induced by vitD3. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of cathelicidin in sarcoidosis and tuberculosis development. DESIGN: The study included 30 consecutive patients with active lung tuberculosis, 30 patients with sarcoidosis, and 20 healthy controls. 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and cathelicidin levels were measured in blood samples. RESULTS: Vitamin D levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in tuberculosis patients (22.5 ± 9.96 ng/ml) than in sarcoidosis patients (11.75 ± 8.92 ng/ml). Severe vitamin D deficiency was as frequent as 47% in sarcoidosis patients compared to only 3% in tuberculosis patients. Cathelicidin levels were significantly higher in the control group (120.37 ± 41.03 pg/ml) than in sarcoidosis (67.68 ± 38.03 pg/ml) and tuberculosis (68.74 ± 39.44 pg/ml) patients (p<0.001). However, no significant difference in cathelicidin levels was observed between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis patients (p=0.966). The optimum cathelicidin cut-off value to distinguish sarcoidosis patients from healthy controls was 107.14 pg/ml (sensitivity 81.5%, specificity 71.2%). CONCLUSION: Cathelicidin appears to play different roles in the development of granulomatous lung disease.

Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in various lung diseases / Valor diagnóstico da punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico em diferentes doenças pulmonares

Objective: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a new method for the diagnosis and staging of lung disease, and its use is increasing worldwide. It has been used as a means of diagnosing lung cancer in its initial stages, and there are data supporting its use for the diagnosis of benign lung disease. The aim of this study was to share our experience with EBUS-TBNA and discuss its diagnostic value.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the results related to 159 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA at our pulmonary medicine clinic between 2010 and 2013. We recorded the location and size of lymph nodes seen during EBUS. Lymph nodes that appeared to be affected on EBUS were sampled at least twice. We recorded the diagnostic results of EBUS-TBNA and (for cases in which EBUS-TBNA yielded an inconclusive diagnosis) the final diagnoses after further investigation and follow-up.Results: We evaluated 159 patients, of whom 89 (56%) were male and 70 (44%) were female. The mean age was 54.6 ± 14.2 years among the male patients and 51.9 ± 11.3 years among the female patients. Of the 159 patients evaluated, 115 (84%) were correctly diagnosed by EBUS. The diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA was 83% for benign granulomatous diseases and 77% for malignant diseases.Conclusions: The diagnostic value of EBUS-TBNA is also high for benign pathologies, such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. In patients with mediastinal disorders, the use of EBUS-TBNA should be encouraged, primarily because it markedly reduces the need for mediastinoscopy.

Objetivo: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA, punção aspirativa por agulha guiada por ultrassom endobrônquico) é um novo método para o diagnóstico e estadiamento das doenças pulmonares e seu uso está aumentando em todo o mundo. Ela tem sido utilizada como um método diagnóstico de câncer de pulmão em estágios iniciais, e há dados que apoiam sua utilização para o diagnóstico de doenças pulmonares benignas. O objetivo deste estudo foi compartilhar a nossa experiência com EBUS-TBNA e discutir seu valor diagnóstico.Métodos: Analisamos, retrospectivamente, os resultados relacionados a 159 pacientes submetidos a EBUS-TBNA em nossa clínica de medicina pulmonar entre 2010 e 2013. Registramos a localização e o tamanho dos linfonodos visualizados durante EBUS. Os linfonodos suspeitos durante o procedimento foram puncionados ao menos duas vezes. Foram registrados os resultados diagnósticos por EBUS-TBNA e, para os casos com diagnóstico indefinido após EBUS-TBNA, os diagnósticos finais após investigação aprofundada e acompanhamento.Resultados: Avaliamos 159 pacientes, dos quais 89 (56%) eram homens e 70 (44%) eram mulheres. As médias de idade foram de 54,6 ± 14,2 anos nos homens e de 51,9 ± 11,3 anos nas mulheres. Dos 159 pacientes avaliados, 115 (84%) foram diagnosticados corretamente por EBUS. A acurácia diagnóstica de EBUS-TBNA foi de 83% para doenças granulomatosas benignas e de 77% para doenças malignas.Conclusões: O valor diagnóstico de EBUS-TBNA também é alto para patologias benignas, como sarcoidose e tuberculose. Em pacientes com alterações no mediastino, o uso de EBUS-TBNA deve ser incentivado, principalmente devido à redução significativa da necessidade de mediastinoscopia.

Squamous cell carcinomas confined to the bronchial wall: the effect of growth patterns.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinomas confined to the bronchial wall (SCC-CBW) exhibit two distinct patterns of growth: superficially spreading and endobronchial mass lesions. We examined whether differences exist in the histopathological features and prognosis of SCC-CBW exhibiting different growth patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 37 cases with SCC-CBW were included. Tumors were classified into two groups: superficially spreading squamous cell carcinoma (s-SCC) and nodular squamous cell carcinoma (n-SCC). For each case, the growth pattern, T and N status, lymphovascular and perineural invasions, immunohistochemical expressions of p53 and Ki-67, and survival rates were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty cases were classified as s-SCC, and 17 cases were classified as n-SCC. There was a significant relationship and correlation between the length of s-SCC in the longitudinal axis and the depth of invasion (p = 0.01, R = 0.557). There was a statistically significant positive relationship between the depth of invasion and the nodal status (N1 involvement) (p < 0.0001, R = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: SCC-CBW exhibits variable growth patterns. However, despite this variability, there are no biological or histological differences between tumors of different growth patterns, and this variability has very little, if any, effect on survival.

Is MMP-7 gene polymorphism a possible risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Turkish patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to fixed narrowing of small airways and alveolar wall destruction (emphysema). This study was performed to test the association between MMP-7 (rs155668818) and MMP-12 (rs56184183) polymorphisms in the MMP-7 gene and COPD risk and its severity in the Turkish population. MMP-7 and MMP-12 polymorphisms were genotyped in 85 patients with COPD and 73 healthy control subjects using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. There were significant differences in the distribution of MMP-7 genotypes but not in the frequencies of these alleles between COPD patients and controls (p=0.009, p=0.102, respectively). The MMP-7 AA genotype was found to be associated with an increased risk of COPD (p=0.004; odds ratio: 2.576; confidence interval: 1.297-5.119). The lowest values of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC in patients with GG homozygosity were determined and these values were statistically significant compared to the control subjects (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001). When the present study groups were analyzed for MMP-12 polymorphism, it was found that all the subjects had wild-type genotype for this polymorphism. These findings have suggested that MMP-7 polymorphism might be associated with the risk and progression of COPD in the Turkish population.

Adapted T cell interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Better and more rapid tests are needed for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE), given the known limitations of conventional diagnostic tests. OBJECTIVES: To estimate diagnostic accuracy of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test (and its components) using data-derived cutoffs in pleural fluid. METHODS: The QFT-GIT test was performed on whole blood and pleural fluid from 43 patients with TPE and 29 control subjects (non-TPE). To achieve the objective, QFT-GIT test, estimating likelihood ratios and receiver operating curve analysis were performed. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity using the QFT-GIT for the diagnosis of TPE were 48.8% and 79.3%, respectively, in pleural fluid. The best cutoff points for tuberculosis (TB) antigen, nil and TB antigen minus nil results were estimated at 0.70, 0.90 and 0.30 IU/ml, respectively. Area under the curve of TB antigen IFN-γ response was 0.86 (CI: 0.76-0.93), nil tube was 0.80 (CI: 0.69-0.89) and TB antigen minus nil tube was 0.82 (CI: 0.72-0.90). When the best cutoff scores of the nil tubes were set at this value, the results of a likelihood ratio of a positive and a negative test were 9.44 (7.4-12.0) and 0.37 (0.09-1.5), respectively. The percentages of indeterminate results in pleural fluid among the TPE cases were 42% (most of them caused by high nil IFN-γ values) using the QFT-GIT test. CONCLUSION: QFT-GIT test or its components have poor accuracy in the diagnosis of TPE, largely because of a high number of indeterminate results due to high background IFN-γ production in the TPE.

Decision-making for lung resection in patients with empyema and collapsed lung due to tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: Collapsed lung with associated empyema is a different clinical entity from destroyed lung . A low perfusion rate of the diseased lung is usually considered an indication for pneumonectomy in patients undergoing thoracotomy for tuberculosis. Such a criterion may not adequately reflect the functional capacity of the underlying parenchyma when the lung is collapsed. METHODS: One hundred twenty-seven patients underwent thoracotomy for tuberculosis at our hospital between 1998 and 2003. Among these, 5 (4%) patients who had a collapsed lung for more than 3 months and pleural infection were the subjects of this study. Surgery was considered after at least a 3-month course of regular antituberculous treatment. Despite no perfusions in 2 patients and 8%, 10%, and 15% perfusion rates for the remaining 3 patients, decortication alone was intentionally performed, and any kind of resectional operation was avoided. RESULTS: The lung gradually filled the hemithorax between 5 and 12 days after surgery in 4 patients. The remaining patient required a thoracomyoplasty 8 weeks after the initial operation. Repeated perfusion scans 1 and 2 years after decortication continued to show no perfusion in patients who had had no preoperative perfusion. All patients were symptom free on regular follow-up between 10 months and 4.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the outcome is unpredictable in terms of lung expansion after decortication, which is a relatively simple procedure compared with other surgical options. We think that the risk of rethoracotomy is acceptable, considering the devastating complications and high mortality rates of resectional surgery in the treatment of such patients.