Tuberculosis pulmonar asociada a Infliximab: a propósito del primer caso reportado en Cuba / Infliximab-associated pulmonary tuberculosis: regarding the first case reported in Cuba

La terapia con fármacos antagonistas del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa ha sido beneficiosa en el tratamiento de varias enfermedades como las del tejido conectivo e inflamatorias del intestino, pero no está exenta de riesgos. Las principales complicaciones de estas drogas inmunosupresoras son las infecciones, y la tuberculosis pulmonar es una de las principales afecciones, que se pueden observar en los pacientes con este tipo de tratamiento.Se presentó una mujer de 31 años, atendida en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras, La Habana, Cuba, con antecedentes de colitis ulcerativa, que hace 3 meses recibe terapia con Infliximab. Acude al hospital por referir 4 días previos al ingreso, fiebre de 390 C dos veces al día, acompañándose de cefalea, pérdida del apetito y dolor en la región perineal. Se le realizó radiografía de tórax, donde se describe radiopacidad heterogénea que va desde el cuerno superior del hilio derecho hasta planos axilares, en la tomografía axial de tórax reportan consolidación en segmento anterior del lóbulo superior derecho con presencia de broncograma aéreo y en el lavado bronquial microbiológico para bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes se informó codificación 8, positivo a Mycobacterium tuberculosis. El diagnóstico preciso de tuberculosis relacionada con el uso de fármacos antagonistas del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa requiere un alto índice de sospecha y una investigación detallada. Existe un alto grado de complejidad diagnóstica, por la existencia de un amplio espectro clínico y la necesidad de excluir otras enfermedades.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist drug therapy has been beneficial in the treatment of several diseases such as connective tissue and inflammatory bowel diseases, but it is not without risks. The main complications of these immunosuppressive drugs are infections, and pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the main conditions, which can be observed in patients with this type of treatment. A 31-year-old woman, treated at the Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital, Havana, Cuba, with a history of ulcerative colitis, who has been receiving Infliximab therapy for 3 months, presented. He went to the hospital for referring 4 days prior to admission, a fever of 390 C twice a day, accompanied by headache, loss of appetite and pain in the perineal region. A chest X-ray was performed, which described heterogeneous radiopacity that goes from the upper horn of the right hilum to axillary planes, in the chest axial tomography they report consolidation in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe with the presence of air bronchogram and in the bronchial lavage microbiological for acid-fast bacilli coding 8, positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis was reported. Accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis related to the use of tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist drugs requires a high index of suspicion and detailed investigation. There is a high degree of diagnostic complexity, due to the existence of a wide clinical spectrum and the need to exclude other diseases.

Intra-Axial Metastatic Angiosarcoma of the Central Nervous System Associated with Anemia, Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Short Survival

Introduction Angiosarcoma (AG) is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm that predominantly affects the soft tissues and, to variable degrees, expresses themorphological and functional characteristics of the endothelium. The incidence of sarcomas of the central nervous system(CNS) is low (0.5% to 2.7%), and AGs involving the brain are even rarer. Case Description A 45-year-old male patient presented with complaints of headache, nausea, and vomiting. An examination showed bilateral papilledema and a right lung pleurotomy. The patient's previous history included drug addiction, pulmonary tuberculosis, lung abscess, pleural empyema, and pulmonary artery embolization for severe hemoptysis. Computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed a large intra-axial lesion extending into the right parietal and temporal lobes, with hemorrhagic zones. The patient underwent surgical resection of the lesion. Microscopy showed a poorly-differentiated, high-grade malignant tumor composed of plump/epithelioid cells forming small vascular spaces and solid nests, compatible with AG.In the postoperative period, the patient developed recurrent hemoptysis. A biopsy of the tissues adjacent to the pleurotomy determined the diagnosis of pulmonary AG. At 30 days after the resection, the patient died from hemoptysis, hemothorax, lung atelectasis, and intracranial hypertension related to the recurrence of the brain tumor. Conclusion Angiosarcoma is a rare neoplasia related to short survival due to the high proliferative index, which must be considered in patients presenting hemorrhagic tumors. No specific genetic abnormalities have been described for this neoplasia.

Caracterización de la tuberculosis pulmonar en mayores de 15 años. Hospital de Día "Dr. Efrén Jurado López" / Characterization of pulmonary tuberculosis in over 15 years. "Dr. Efrén Jurado López Day Hospital"

La tuberculosis pulmonar constituye una enfermedad de salud pública en el territorio ecuatoriano en expansión que provoca muerte y sufrimiento para la población. El objetivo del estudio es caracterizar la tuberculosis pulmonar en individuos mayores de 15 años que asisten al Hospital de Día "Dr. Efrén Jurado López" de la ciudad de Guayaquil. Se realizó una investigación cuantitativa, descriptiva, retrospectiva. La muestra de estudio quedó conformada por 58 pacientes de ambos géneros mayores de 15 años, diagnosticados con tuberculosis en todas sus formas, atendidos en el contexto de estudio entre enero 2017 y enero de 2018. En la recolección de la información se aplicó una ficha de observación validada por expertos con previo consentimiento informado de los pacientes estudiados. Como resultados se obtuvo que el 72,4% eran del sexo masculino y el 27,6% femenino. El predominio de diagnóstico presentado fue sintomático TBP BK+ en un 100%. Por otra parte para el diagnóstico por TBP cultivo + fue 87,9% (51/58) y TBP cultivo- de 12,1% (7/58). Por otra parte la TB EP fue de 25,9% (15/58) con predominio en el sexo masculino 80%, las formas de tuberculosis y la comorbilidad asociada al al Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH), se observó una frecuencia de 6,9% (4/58) de personas con TB que tenían VIH, de las cuales el 5,2% correspondían a casos de VIH con tuberculosis extra pulmonar y 1,7% a casos de TBP BK+/VIH. Se debe continuar trabajando en la búsqueda de TB en pacientes sintomáticos respiratorios para un diagnóstico oportuno(AU)

Characterization of pulmonary tuberculosis in teenagers older than 15 years in thedr.Efrénjuradolópez day time hospital. Pulmonary tuberculosis is a public health disease in the expanding Ecuadorian territory that causes death and suffering for the population. The objective of the study is to characterize pulmonary tuberculosis in individuals over 15 years of age attending the "Dr. Efrén Jurado López" Day Hospital in the city of Guayaquil. A quantitative, descriptive, retrospective investigation was carried out. The study sample consisted of 58 patients of both genders over 15 years of age, diagnosed with tuberculosis in all its forms, treated in the context of the study between January 2017 and January 2018. A data sheet was applied in the collection of information observation validated by experts with prior informed consent of the patients studied. As a result, it was obtained that 72.4% were male and 27.6% female. The prevalence of diagnosis presented was symptomatic TBP BK + in 100%. On the other hand for the diagnosis by TBP culture + it was 87.9% (51/58) and TBP culture- of 12.1% (7/58). On the other hand, the TB TB was 25.9% (15/58) with a predominance in the male sex 80%, the forms of tuberculosis and the comorbidity associated with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a frequency of 6 was observed, 9% (4/58) of people with TB who had HIV, of which 5.2% corresponded to HIV cases with extra pulmonary tuberculosis and 1.7% to cases of BK + / HIV TBP. Work should continue in the search for TB in symptomatic respiratory patients for a timely diagnosis(AU)

US Tuberculosis Rates among Persons Born Outside the United States Compared with Rates in Their Countries of Birth, 2012-20161.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends screening populations at increased risk for tuberculosis (TB), including persons born in countries with high TB rates. This approach assumes that TB risk for expatriates living in the United States is representative of TB risk in their countries of birth. We compared US TB rates by country of birth with corresponding country rates by calculating incidence rate ratios (IRRs) (World Health Organization rate/US rate). The median IRR was 5.4. The median IRR was 0.5 for persons who received a TB diagnosis <1 year after US entry, 4.9 at 1 to <10 years, and 10.0 at >10 years. Our analysis suggests that World Health Organization TB rates are not representative of TB risk among expatriates in the United States and that TB testing prioritization in the United States might better be based on US rates by country of birth and years in the United States.

Determinants associated with areas with higher tuberculosis mortality rates: an ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise tuberculosis deaths in a region of northeast Brazil during the period from 2006 to 2017 and to identify determinants associated with areas with higher tuberculosis mortality rates. METHODS: Ecological descriptive study of deaths from tuberculosis with multivariate mapping and logistic regression, carried out from 2006 to 2017 in the 75 municipalities of Sergipe, Brazil. The focus of the analysis was the mean mortality rate from tuberculosis, dichotomised according to the median. The independent variables were selected based on the conceptual model of the social determinants of health. RESULTS: Mortality due to tuberculosis in Sergipe, Brazil, was most prevalent among males, mixed-race people, and people over 40 years old and with a low level of education. Multivariate logistic regression identified the mean incidence rate for tuberculosis (aOR: 1.06), the proportion of HIV testing (aOR: 7.10), people without primary education and with informal occupation (aOR: 1.26) and people living in urban households without waste collection service (aOR: 0.10) as determinants associated to municipalities with higher tuberculosis mortality rates, with area under the ROC curve of 84% (P-value 0.000). Mapping revealed evident spatial variability. CONCLUSIONS: The tuberculosis epidemic in Brazil is determined by access to health services, especially the provision of HIV testing among those diagnosed with tuberculosis, accelerated urbanisation with large pockets of poverty and unsanitary housing conditions, corroborating global trends.

OBJECTIF: Caractériser les décès dus à la tuberculose dans une région du nord-est du Brésil au cours de la période de 2006 à 2017 et identifier les déterminants associés aux zones où les taux de mortalité par tuberculose sont plus élevés. MÉTHODES: Etude descriptive écologique des décès par tuberculose avec une cartographie multivariée et une régression logistique, réalisée de 2006 à 2017 dans les 75 municipalités de Sergipe, au Brésil. L'analyse était axée sur le taux moyen de mortalité par tuberculose, dichotomisé selon la médiane. Les variables indépendantes ont été sélectionnées sur la base du modèle conceptuel des déterminants sociaux de la santé. RÉSULTATS: La mortalité due à la tuberculose à Sergipe, au Brésil, était plus fréquente chez les hommes, les personnes métissées, les personnes de plus de 40 ans et avec un faible niveau d'éducation. La régression logistique multivariée a identifié le taux moyen d'incidence de la tuberculose (aOR: 1,06), la proportion des tests de dépistage du VIH (aOR: 7,10), les personnes sans éducation primaire et occupant une fonction informelle (aOR: 1,26) et les personnes vivant dans des ménages en milieu urbain sans service de collecte des déchets (aOR: 0,10) comme étant des déterminants associés aux municipalités avec des taux de mortalité par tuberculose plus élevés, avec une aire sous la courbe ROC de 84 % (p=0,000). La cartographie a révélé une variabilité spatiale évidente. CONCLUSIONS: L'épidémie de tuberculose au Brésil est déterminée par l'accès aux services de santé, en particulier la fourniture des tests de dépistage du VIH chez les personnes diagnostiquées avec la tuberculose, l'urbanisation accélérée avec de grandes poches de pauvreté et les conditions de logement insalubres, corroborant les tendances mondiales.

Update on the approach to smoking in patients with respiratory diseases.

Smoking is the leading cause of respiratory disease (RD). The harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system begin in utero and influence immune responses throughout childhood and adult life. In comparison with "healthy" smokers, smokers with RD have peculiarities that can impede smoking cessation, such as a higher level of nicotine dependence; nicotine withdrawal; higher levels of exhaled carbon monoxide; low motivation and low self-efficacy; greater concern about weight gain; and a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. In addition, they require more intensive, prolonged treatment. It is always necessary to educate such individuals about the fact that quitting smoking is the only measure that will reduce the progression of RD and improve their quality of life, regardless of the duration and severity of the disease. Physicians should always offer smoking cessation treatment. Outpatient or inpatient smoking cessation treatment should be multidisciplinary, based on behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapy. It will thus be more effective and cost-effective, doubling the chances of success.

Polymorphisms in TLR4 and TNFA and Risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Development of Active Disease in Contacts of Tuberculosis Cases in Brazil: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The role of genetic polymorphisms in latent tuberculosis (TB) infection and progression to active TB is not fully understood. METHODS: We tested the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs5743708 (TLR2), rs4986791 (TLR4), rs361525 (TNFA), rs2430561 (IFNG) rs1143627 (IL1B) as risk factors for tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion or development of active TB in contacts of active TB cases. Contacts of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB cases were initially screened for longitudinal evaluation up to 24 months, with clinical examination and serial TST, between 1998 and 2004 at a referral center in Brazil. Data and biospecimens were collected from 526 individuals who were contacts of 177 active TB index cases. TST conversion was defined as induration ≥5 mm after a negative TST result (0 mm) at baseline or month 4 visit. Independent associations were tested using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the 526 contacts, 60 had TST conversion and 44 developed active TB during follow-up. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-4.6), as well as SNPs in TLR4 genes (OR: 62.8, 95% CI: 7.5-525.3) and TNFA (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.9-9.5) were independently associated with TST conversion. Moreover, a positive TST at baseline (OR: 4.7, 95% CI: 2.3-9.7) and SNPs in TLR4 (OR: 6.5, 95% CI: 1.1-36.7) and TNFA (OR: 12.4, 95% CI:5.1-30.1) were independently associated with incident TB. CONCLUSIONS: SNPs in TLR4 and TNFA predicted both TST conversion and active TB among contacts of TB cases in Brazil.

Tuberculose entre crianças e adolescentes indígenas no Brasil: fatores associados ao óbito e ao abandono do tratamento / Tuberculosis in indigenous children and adolescents in Brazil: factors associated with death and treatment dropout / Tuberculosis entre niños y adolescentes indígenas en Brasil: factores asociados al óbito y al abandono del tratamiento

Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever características clínicas e sociodemográficas, estimar a incidência da tuberculose (TB), além de analisar fatores associados ao abandono e ao óbito na vigência do tratamento dos casos de TB notificados entre crianças e adolescentes indígenas, no Brasil, entre 2006-2016. Realizou-se análise da série histórica de incidência, segundo faixa etária e macrorregião e utilizou-se regressão logística multinomial para elucidar fatores associados ao abandono e ao óbito. Do total de 2.096 casos notificados, 88,2% tiveram cura, 7,2% abandonaram o tratamento e 4,6% evoluíram para óbito. Houve predomínio de casos em meninos de 15-19 anos e maior proporção de óbitos (55,7%) em < 4 anos. Considerando o conjunto de crianças e adolescentes indígenas com TB no Brasil, a incidência média foi 49,1/100 mil, variando de 21,5/100 mil a 97,6/100 mil nas regiões Nordeste e Centro-oeste, respectivamente. Os casos com acompanhamento insuficiente e regular tiveram maiores chances de abandono (OR = 11,1; IC95%: 5,2-24,8/OR = 4,4; IC95%: 1,9-10,3) e óbito (OR = 20,3; IC95%: 4,9-84,9/OR = 5,1; IC95%: 1,2-22,7). Os casos em retratamento (OR = 2,4; IC95%: 2,08-8,55) e com anti-HIV positivo (OR = 8,2; IC95%: 2,2-30,9) também mostraram-se associados ao abandono. As formas clínicas extrapulmonar (OR = 1,8; IC95%: 1,1-3,3) e mista (OR = 5,6; IC95%: 2,8-11,4), os casos em < 4 anos (OR = 3,1; IC95%: 1,5-6,4) e os casos provenientes das regiões Norte (OR = 2,8; IC95%: 1,1-7,1) e Centro-oeste (OR = 2,8; IC95%: 1,1-7,0) mostraram-se associados ao óbito. Acreditamos que o controle da TB em crianças e adolescentes indígenas não poderá ser alcançado sem investimentos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento e sem a redução das desigualdades sociais.

Abstract: The study aimed to describe clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, estimate incidence, and analyze factors associated with dropout and death during treatment of TB cases reported in indigenous children and adolescents in Brazil from 2006 to 2016. A historical case series was performed on incidence according to age bracket and major geographic region, and multinomial logistic regression was used to explain factors associated with treatment dropout and death. Of the 2,096 reported cases, 88.2% evolved to cure, 7.2% dropped out of treatment, and 4.6% evolved to death. There was a predominance of cases in boys 15-19 years of age and a higher proportion of deaths (55.7%) in children < 4 years. Considering indigenous children and adolescents with TB in Brazil as a whole, mean incidence was 49.1/100,000, ranging from 21.5/100,000 to 97.6/100,000 in the Northeast and Central, respectively. Cases with insufficient and irregular follow-up showed higher odds of dropout (OR = 11.1; 95%CI: 5.2-24.8/OR = 4.4; 95%CI: 1.9-10.3) and death (OR = 20.3; 95%CI: 4.9-84.9/OR = 5.1; 95%CI: 1.2-22.7). Cases in retreatment (OR = 2.4; 95%CI: 2.08-8.55) and with HIV coinfection (OR = 8.2; 95%CI: 2.2-30.9) were also associated with dropout. Extrapulmonary (OR = 1.8; 95%CI: 1.1-3.3) and mixed clinical forms (OR = 5.6; 95%CI: 2.8-11.4), age < 4 years (OR = 3.1; 95%CI: 1.5-6.4), and cases from the North (OR = 2.8; 95%CI: 1.1-7.1) and Central (OR = 2.8; 95%CI: 1.1-7.0) were associated with death. TB control in indigenous children and adolescents cannot be achieved without investments in research and development and without reducing social inequalities.

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue describir características clínicas y sociodemográficas, estimar la incidencia de la tuberculosis (TB), además de analizar factores asociados al abandono y al óbito en la vigencia del tratamiento de los casos de TB, notificados entre niños y adolescentes indígenas, en Brasil entre 2006-2016. Se realizó un análisis de la serie histórica de incidencia, según la franja de edad y macrorregión y se utilizó la regresión logística multinomial para elucidar factores asociados al abandono y al óbito. Del total de 2.096 casos notificados, un 88,2% tuvieron cura, un 7,2% abandonaron el tratamiento y un 4,6% evolucionaron hacia óbito. Hubo un predominio de casos en chicos de 15-19 años y mayor proporción de óbitos (55,7%) en < 4 años. Considerando el conjunto de niños y adolescentes indígenas con TB en Brasil, la incidencia media fue 49,1/100.000, variando de 21,5/100.000 a 97,6/100.000 en las regiones Nordeste y Centro-oeste, respectivamente. Los casos con un seguimiento insuficiente y regular tuvieron mayores oportunidades de abandono (OR = 11,1; IC95%: 5,2-24,8/OR = 4,4; IC95%: 1,9-10,3) y óbito (OR = 20,3; IC95%: 4,9-84,9/OR = 5,1; IC95%: 1,2-22,7). Los casos de retorno al tratamiento (OR = 2,4; IC95%: 2,08-8,55) y con anti-VIH positivo (OR = 8,2; IC95%: 2,2-30,9) también se mostraron asociados al abandono. Las formas clínicas extrapulmonares (OR = 1,8; IC95%: 1,1-3,3) y mixta (OR = 5,6; IC95%: 2,8-11,4), los casos en < 4 años (OR = 3,1; IC95%: 1,5-6,4) y los casos procedentes de las regiones Norte (OR = 2,8; IC95%: 1,1-7,1) y Centro-oeste (OR = 2,8; IC95%: 1,1-7,0) se mostraron asociados al óbito. Creemos que el control de la TB en niños y adolescentes indígenas no se podrá alcanzar sin inversiones en investigación y desarrollo y sin la reducción de las desigualdades sociales.

Update on the approach to smoking in patients with respiratory diseases / Atualização na abordagem do tabagismo em pacientes com doenças respiratórias

ABSTRACT Smoking is the leading cause of respiratory disease (RD). The harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system begin in utero and influence immune responses throughout childhood and adult life. In comparison with "healthy" smokers, smokers with RD have peculiarities that can impede smoking cessation, such as a higher level of nicotine dependence; nicotine withdrawal; higher levels of exhaled carbon monoxide; low motivation and low self-efficacy; greater concern about weight gain; and a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. In addition, they require more intensive, prolonged treatment. It is always necessary to educate such individuals about the fact that quitting smoking is the only measure that will reduce the progression of RD and improve their quality of life, regardless of the duration and severity of the disease. Physicians should always offer smoking cessation treatment. Outpatient or inpatient smoking cessation treatment should be multidisciplinary, based on behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapy. It will thus be more effective and cost-effective, doubling the chances of success.

RESUMO O tabagismo é o maior responsável pelas doenças respiratórias (DR). Os efeitos nocivos do tabaco sobre o aparelho respiratório se iniciam ainda intraútero e influenciam as respostas imunológicas ao longo da infância e vida adulta. Os tabagistas com DR possuem peculiaridades que podem dificultar a cessação tabágica, tais como maior grau de dependência e de abstinência de nicotina; níveis mais elevados de monóxido de carbono exalado; motivação e autoeficácia baixas; maior preocupação com ganho ponderal; e elevada prevalência de ansiedade e depressão. Além disso, requerem tratamento mais intensivo e prolongado. É necessário esclarecer sempre o paciente sobre o fato de que parar de fumar será a única medida que irá reduzir a progressão das DR e melhorar sua qualidade de vida, independentemente do tempo e da gravidade da doença. Os médicos devem sempre oferecer o tratamento de cessação tabágica. O tratamento ambulatorial ou hospitalar deve ser multidisciplinar, baseado em intervenções comportamentais e farmacoterapia, sendo eficaz e custo-efetivo, dobrando as chances de sucesso.

Chest X-ray and chest CT findings in patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis following solid organ transplantation: a systematic review.

The objective of this systematic review was to select articles including chest X-ray or chest CT findings in patients who developed pulmonary tuberculosis following solid organ transplantation (lung, kidney, or liver). The following search terms were used: "tuberculosis"; "transplants"; "transplantation"; "mycobacterium"; and "lung". The databases used in this review were PubMed and the Brazilian Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (Virtual Health Library). We selected articles in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, regardless of the year of publication, that met the selection criteria in their title, abstract, or body of text. Articles with no data on chest CT or chest X-ray findings were excluded, as were those not related to solid organ transplantation or pulmonary tuberculosis. We selected 29 articles involving a collective total of 219 patients. The largest samples were in studies conducted in Brazil and South Korea (78 and 35 patients, respectively). The imaging findings were subdivided into five common patterns. The imaging findings varied depending on the transplanted organ in these patients. In liver and lung transplant recipients, the most common pattern was the classic one for pulmonary tuberculosis (cavitation and "tree-in-bud" nodules), which is similar to the findings for pulmonary tuberculosis in the general population. The proportion of cases showing a miliary pattern and lymph node enlargement, which is most similar to the pattern seen in patients coinfected with tuberculosis and HIV, was highest among the kidney transplant recipients. Further studies evaluating clinical data, such as immunosuppression regimens, are needed in order to improve understanding of the distribution of these imaging patterns in this population.

Chest X-ray and chest CT findings in patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis following solid organ transplantation: a systematic review / Achados de radiografia e de TC de tórax em pacientes transplantados de órgãos sólidos e diagnosticados com tuberculose pulmonar: uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT The objective of this systematic review was to select articles including chest X-ray or chest CT findings in patients who developed pulmonary tuberculosis following solid organ transplantation (lung, kidney, or liver). The following search terms were used: "tuberculosis"; "transplants"; "transplantation"; "mycobacterium"; and "lung". The databases used in this review were PubMed and the Brazilian Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (Virtual Health Library). We selected articles in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, regardless of the year of publication, that met the selection criteria in their title, abstract, or body of text. Articles with no data on chest CT or chest X-ray findings were excluded, as were those not related to solid organ transplantation or pulmonary tuberculosis. We selected 29 articles involving a collective total of 219 patients. The largest samples were in studies conducted in Brazil and South Korea (78 and 35 patients, respectively). The imaging findings were subdivided into five common patterns. The imaging findings varied depending on the transplanted organ in these patients. In liver and lung transplant recipients, the most common pattern was the classic one for pulmonary tuberculosis (cavitation and "tree-in-bud" nodules), which is similar to the findings for pulmonary tuberculosis in the general population. The proportion of cases showing a miliary pattern and lymph node enlargement, which is most similar to the pattern seen in patients coinfected with tuberculosis and HIV, was highest among the kidney transplant recipients. Further studies evaluating clinical data, such as immunosuppression regimens, are needed in order to improve understanding of the distribution of these imaging patterns in this population.

RESUMO O objetivo desta revisão sistemática foi selecionar artigos com achados radiográficos e/ou tomográficos de tórax em pacientes que desenvolveram tuberculose pulmonar após transplante de órgãos sólidos (pulmão, rim ou fígado). Os descritores utilizados para a pesquisa foram: "tuberculosis", "transplants", "transplantation", "mycobacterium" e "lung". As bases de dados utilizadas nesta revisão foram PubMed e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Foram selecionados artigos em inglês, português e espanhol, independentemente do ano de sua publicação, que possuíam em seu título, resumo ou corpo do texto os aspectos selecionados quanto ao objetivo da pesquisa. Foram excluídos artigos sem dados sobre achados de radiografia ou de TC de tórax e aqueles não relacionados com transplantes de órgão sólido ou tuberculose pulmonar. Foram selecionados 29 artigos para o estudo, somando 219 pacientes. As maiores amostras vieram de estudos realizados no Brasil e na Coreia do Sul (78 e 35 pacientes, respectivamente). Os achados de imagem foram subdivididos em cinco padrões mais comuns. Os achados de imagem nesses pacientes variaram dependendo do órgão transplantado. O padrão mais comum foi o clássico para tuberculose pulmonar (escavação e nódulos em árvore em brotamento) nos transplantados de fígado e pulmão, que é similar ao acometimento da doença na população em geral. Transplantados de rim apresentaram um maior número de casos de acometimento miliar e de linfonodomegalia, que é mais similar aos casos de pacientes coinfectados com tuberculose e HIV. Estudos que avaliem dados clínicos, como o esquema farmacológico de imunossupressão, são necessários para um melhor entendimento da distribuição desses padrões de imagem nessa população.

Imbalance of NET and Alpha-1-Antitrypsin in Tuberculosis Patients Is Related With Hyper Inflammation and Severe Lung Tissue Damage.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) can lead to lung tissue damage (LTD) and compromise the pulmonary capacity of TB patients that evolve to severe PTB. The molecular mechanisms involved in LTD during anti-tuberculous treatment (ATT) remain poorly understood. Methods and findings: We evaluated the role of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) and the occurrence of LTD through chest radiographic images, the microbial load in sputum, and inflammatory serum profile (IL-12p40/p70, IL-8, IL-17A, IL-23, VEGF-A, MMP-1, and -8, galectin-3, citrunillated histone H3-cit-H3, alpha-1-antitrypsin-α1AT, C-reactive protein-CRP and albumin) in a cohort of 82 PTB patients before and after 60 days of ATT. Using univariate analysis, LTD was associated with neutrophilia and increase of several inflammatory proteins involved in the neutrophil-mediated response, being cit-H3 the more related to the event. In the multivariate analysis, neutrophilia and cit-H3 appear as directly related to LTD. The analysis of the ROC curve at day 60 presented AUC of 0.97 (95.0% CI 0.95-1). Interestingly, at day 0 of ATT, these biomarkers demonstrated fine relation with LTD showing an AUC 0.92 (95.0% CI 0.86-0.99). Despite of that, the same molecules have no impact in culture conversion during ATT. Conclusions: Our data revealed that NETs may play a key role in the pathway responsible for non-specific inflammation and tissue destruction in PTB. High level of cit-H3 and low level of α1AT was observed in the serum of severe TB patients, suggesting a breakdown in the intrinsic control of NET-driven tissue damage. These data show a new insight to knowledge TB immunopathogenesis, the role of neutrophil and NET pathway. Likewise, we identified possible biomarkers to screening of PTB patients eligible to adjuvants therapies, as anti-inflammatories and alpha-1-antitrypsin.

Relationship between climatic factors and air quality with tuberculosis in the Federal District, Brazil, 2003-2012

Abstract Introduction: Despite the high rate of tuberculosis indicators in Brazil, the Federal District shows a low prevalence of the disease. Objective: To analyze the relationship between climatic factors and air quality with tuberculosis in the Brazilian Federal District. Methodology: This was an ecological and descriptive study comparing 3927 new cases of Tuberculosis registered at the Federal District Tuberculosis Control Program with data from the National Institute of Meteorology, Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, Brazilian Agricultural Research Institute, Brasilia Environmental Institute, and the Federal District Planning Company. Results: From 2003 to 2012, there has been a higher incidence of Tuberculosis (27.0%) in male patients in the winter (27.2%). Patients under 15 years of age (28.6%) and older than 64 years (27.1%) were more affected in the fall. For youth and adults (15-64 years), the highest number of cases was reported during winter (44.3%). The disease was prevalent with ultraviolet radiation over 17 MJ/m2 (67.8%; p = <0.001); relative humidity between 31.0% and 69.0% (95.8% of cases; p = <0.00); 12 h of daily sunlight or more (40.6%; p = 0.001); and temperatures between 20 °C and 23 °C (72.4%; p = <0.001). In the city of Taguatinga and surrounding area, pollution levels dropped to 15.2% between 2003 and 2012. Smoke levels decreased to 31.9%. In the Sobradinho region, particulate matter dropped to 13.1% and smoke to 19.3%, coinciding with the reduction of Tuberculosis incidence rates during the same period. Conclusion: The results should guide surveillance actions for Tuberculosis control and elimination and indicate the need to expand observation time to new climate indicators and air quality.

High-resolution computed tomography findings of pulmonary tuberculosis in lung transplant recipients / Achados de tuberculose pulmonar na tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução em transplantados de pulmão

ABSTRACT Objective: Respiratory infections constitute a major cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis is high among such patients. On imaging, tuberculosis has various presentations. Greater understanding of those presentations could reduce the impact of the disease by facilitating early diagnosis. Therefore, we attempted to describe the HRCT patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis in lung transplant recipients. Methods: From two hospitals in southern Brazil, we collected the following data on lung transplant recipients who developed pulmonary tuberculosis: gender; age; symptoms; the lung disease that led to transplantation; HRCT pattern; distribution of findings; time from transplantation to pulmonary tuberculosis; and mortality rate. The HRCT findings were classified as miliary nodules; cavitation and centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud pattern; ground-glass attenuation with consolidation; mediastinal lymph node enlargement; or pleural effusion. Results: We evaluated 402 lung transplant recipients, 19 of whom developed pulmonary tuberculosis after transplantation. Among those 19 patients, the most common HRCT patterns were ground-glass attenuation with consolidation (in 42%); cavitation and centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud pattern (in 31.5%); and mediastinal lymph node enlargement (in 15.7%). Among the patients with cavitation and centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud pattern, the distribution was within the upper lobes in 66.6%. No pleural effusion was observed. Despite treatment, one-year mortality was 47.3%. Conclusions: The predominant HRCT pattern was ground-glass attenuation with consolidation, followed by cavitation and centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud pattern. These findings are similar to those reported for immunocompetent patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and considerably different from those reported for AIDS patients with the same disease.

RESUMO Objetivo: As infecções respiratórias constituem a principal causa de morbidade e mortalidade em transplantados de órgãos sólidos. A incidência de tuberculose pulmonar é alta entre esses pacientes. Em exames de imagem, a tuberculose tem diferentes apresentações. Uma maior compreensão dessas apresentações poderia reduzir o impacto da doença ao facilitar o diagnóstico precoce. Portanto, buscamos descrever os padrões de tuberculose pulmonar na TCAR em transplantados de pulmão. Métodos: De dois hospitais no sul do Brasil, foram coletados os seguintes dados sobre transplantados de pulmão que desenvolveram tuberculose pulmonar: sexo; idade; sintomas; doença pulmonar que levou ao transplante; padrão na TCAR; distribuição dos achados; tempo entre transplante e tuberculose pulmonar; e taxa de mortalidade. Os achados na TCAR foram classificados como nódulos miliares; cavitação e nódulos centrolobulares com padrão de árvore em brotamento; atenuação em vidro fosco com consolidação; linfonodomegalia mediastinal; ou derrame pleural. Resultados: Foram avaliados 402 transplantados de pulmão, dos quais 19 desenvolveram tuberculose pulmonar após o transplante. Entre esses 19 pacientes, os padrões mais comuns na TCAR foram atenuação em vidro fosco com consolidação (em 42%); cavitação e nódulos centrolobulares com padrão de árvore em brotamento (em 31,5%); e linfonodomegalia mediastinal (em 15,7%). Entre os pacientes com cavitação e nódulos centrolobulares com padrão de árvore em brotamento, esses achados se distribuíam nos lobos superiores em 66,6%. Não se observou derrame pleural. Apesar do tratamento, a mortalidade em um ano foi de 47,3%. Conclusões: O padrão predominante na TCAR foi atenuação em vidro fosco com consolidação, seguido por cavitação e nódulos centrolobulares com padrão de árvore em brotamento. Esses achados são semelhantes aos relatados para pacientes imunocompetentes com tuberculose pulmonar e consideravelmente diferentes dos relatados para portadores de AIDS com a mesma doença.

Protective effect of metformin against tuberculosis infections in diabetic patients: an observational study of south Indian tertiary healthcare facility

ABSTRACT Background: World Health Organization estimated that people with diabetes (DM) are at 2-3 times higher risk for tuberculosis (TB). Studies have shown that DM not only increases the risk of active TB, but also puts co-affected persons at increased risk of poor outcomes. Objectives: To determine the protective effect of metformin against TB in DM patients and also, to investigate the relationship between poor glycemic control and TB. Methods: A case-control study was conducted over 8 months, where cases and controls were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. The diabetics diagnosed with TB were selected as study group (SG = 152) and without TB were as control group (CG = 299). Exposure status of metformin in both groups were analyzed. Results: The mean (SD) age of both CG and SG were 55.54 ± 11.82 and 52.80 ± 11.75, respectively. Majority of the subjects in the study were males. The mean hospital stay of SG and CG were 7 days and 6 days, respectively. Poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 8) observed in SG (51.7%) vs CG (31.4%). HbA1c value <7 is associated protective factor for TB occurrence [OR = 0.52 (95% CI 0.29-0.93)]. The protective effect of metformin against TB was 3.9-fold in diabetics (OR = 0.256, 0.16-0.40). Conclusion: Poor glycemic control among diabetics is a risk factor for TB occurrence. The result shows metformin use is a protective agent against TB infection in diabetics. Hence, incorporation of metformin into standard clinical care would offer a therapeutic option for the prevention of TB.

Relationship between climatic factors and air quality with tuberculosis in the Federal District, Brazil, 2003-2012.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the high rate of tuberculosis indicators in Brazil, the Federal District shows a low prevalence of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between climatic factors and air quality with tuberculosis in the Brazilian Federal District. METHODOLOGY: This was an ecological and descriptive study comparing 3927 new cases of Tuberculosis registered at the Federal District Tuberculosis Control Program with data from the National Institute of Meteorology, Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, Brazilian Agricultural Research Institute, Brasilia Environmental Institute, and the Federal District Planning Company. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2012, there has been a higher incidence of Tuberculosis (27.0%) in male patients in the winter (27.2%). Patients under 15 years of age (28.6%) and older than 64 years (27.1%) were more affected in the fall. For youth and adults (15-64 years), the highest number of cases was reported during winter (44.3%). The disease was prevalent with ultraviolet radiation over 17MJ/m2 (67.8%; p=<0.001); relative humidity between 31.0% and 69.0% (95.8% of cases; p=<0.00); 12h of daily sunlight or more (40.6%; p=0.001); and temperatures between 20°C and 23°C (72.4%; p=<0.001). In the city of Taguatinga and surrounding area, pollution levels dropped to 15.2% between 2003 and 2012. Smoke levels decreased to 31.9%. In the Sobradinho region, particulate matter dropped to 13.1% and smoke to 19.3%, coinciding with the reduction of Tuberculosis incidence rates during the same period. CONCLUSION: The results should guide surveillance actions for Tuberculosis control and elimination and indicate the need to expand observation time to new climate indicators and air quality.

Protective effect of metformin against tuberculosis infections in diabetic patients: an observational study of south Indian tertiary healthcare facility.

BACKGROUND: World Health Organization estimated that people with diabetes (DM) are at 2-3 times higher risk for tuberculosis (TB). Studies have shown that DM not only increases the risk of active TB, but also puts co-affected persons at increased risk of poor outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To determine the protective effect of metformin against TB in DM patients and also, to investigate the relationship between poor glycemic control and TB. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted over 8 months, where cases and controls were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. The diabetics diagnosed with TB were selected as study group (SG=152) and without TB were as control group (CG=299). Exposure status of metformin in both groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of both CG and SG were 55.54±11.82 and 52.80±11.75, respectively. Majority of the subjects in the study were males. The mean hospital stay of SG and CG were 7 days and 6 days, respectively. Poor glycemic control (HbA1c>8) observed in SG (51.7%) vs CG (31.4%). HbA1c value <7 is associated protective factor for TB occurrence [OR=0.52 (95% CI 0.29-0.93)]. The protective effect of metformin against TB was 3.9-fold in diabetics (OR=0.256, 0.16-0.40). CONCLUSION: Poor glycemic control among diabetics is a risk factor for TB occurrence. The result shows metformin use is a protective agent against TB infection in diabetics. Hence, incorporation of metformin into standard clinical care would offer a therapeutic option for the prevention of TB.

High-resolution computed tomography findings of pulmonary tuberculosis in lung transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory infections constitute a major cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis is high among such patients. On imaging, tuberculosis has various presentations. Greater understanding of those presentations could reduce the impact of the disease by facilitating early diagnosis. Therefore, we attempted to describe the HRCT patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis in lung transplant recipients. METHODS: From two hospitals in southern Brazil, we collected the following data on lung transplant recipients who developed pulmonary tuberculosis: gender; age; symptoms; the lung disease that led to transplantation; HRCT pattern; distribution of findings; time from transplantation to pulmonary tuberculosis; and mortality rate. The HRCT findings were classified as miliary nodules; cavitation and centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud pattern; ground-glass attenuation with consolidation; mediastinal lymph node enlargement; or pleural effusion. RESULTS: We evaluated 402 lung transplant recipients, 19 of whom developed pulmonary tuberculosis after transplantation. Among those 19 patients, the most common HRCT patterns were ground-glass attenuation with consolidation (in 42%); cavitation and centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud pattern (in 31.5%); and mediastinal lymph node enlargement (in 15.7%). Among the patients with cavitation and centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud pattern, the distribution was within the upper lobes in 66.6%. No pleural effusion was observed. Despite treatment, one-year mortality was 47.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The predominant HRCT pattern was ground-glass attenuation with consolidation, followed by cavitation and centrilobular nodules with a tree-in-bud pattern. These findings are similar to those reported for immunocompetent patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and considerably different from those reported for AIDS patients with the same disease.

Human tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis: a retrospective comparison with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a Mexican tertiary care centre, 2000-2015.

BACKGROUND: Human tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis is believed to be frequent in developing countries. Transmission is usually through ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products, although airborne contagion is possible. Disease caused by M. tuberculosis or M. bovis is clinically indistinguishable from each other. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with M. bovis disease. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all culture-positive cases of M. bovis and M. tuberculosis from 2000 to 2015, in a Mexican tertiary-care centre. Sociodemographic, clinical, and radiographic data from medical records were compared. Disease site was classified as pulmonary, extrapulmonary, or pulmonary and extrapulmonary, based on cultures. RESULTS: We evaluated 533 cases, 372 (69.7 %) of which were caused by M. tuberculosis and 161 (30.2 %) by M. bovis. Characteristics associated with M. bovis disease were: younger age (aOR 0.97, 95 % CI 0.95-0.98), glucocorticoid use (aOR 2.27, 95 % CI 1.42-3.63), and extrapulmonary disease (aOR 1.80, 95 % CI 1.21-2.69). M. tuberculosis was associated with lower socioeconomic status (aOR 0.52, 95 % CI 0.28-0.97). When we analysed only pulmonary cases, younger age (aOR 0.97, 95 % CI 0.96-0.99), glucocorticoid use (aOR 2.41, 95 % CI 1.30-4.46), and smoking (aOR 1.94, CI 95 % 1.15-3.27) were associated with M. bovis. Both groups showed similar proportions of direct microscopy smear results (respiratory samples) and chest X-ray cavitations. CONCLUSIONS: Younger age, glucocorticoid use, and extrapulmonary disease were associated with M. bovis as the causative agent of tuberculosis in a group of patients from a tertiary care centre in a country where bovine tuberculosis is endemic. Further studies must be conducted in the general population to determine pathogen-specific associated factors and outcomes.

Aspectos clinicoepidemiológicos en pacientes con coinfección por sida y tuberculosis en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba / Clinical and epidemiological aspects in patients with coinfection due to aids and tuberculosis in Santiago de Cuba province

Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de los 15 pacientes con coinfección por sida y tuberculosis en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba, en el período de enero del 2004 a diciembre del 2013, a fin de caracterizarles según algunas variables clinicoepidemiológicas: edad, sexo, comportamiento sexual, formas clínicas y radiológicas de la tuberculosis, conteo de CD4, pruebas microbiológicas del esputo, pruebas inmunológicas y evolución. En la serie resultó superior el total de hombres bisexuales y homosexuales, el diagnóstico de tuberculosis después de 6 meses de completar la quimioprofilaxis, con mayor incidencia de la forma pulmonar de la enfermedad, los rayos X con infiltrado en bases, el conteo de CD4 por debajo de 200 células/mm3, el esputo directo y cultivo negativos, además de la prueba de Mantoux no reactiva. La mayoría de los afectados evolucionó favorablemente y se les dio el alta médica al finalizar el tratamiento y ser curados de tuberculosis(AU)

A descriptive and retrospective study of the 15 patients with coinfection due to AIDS and tuberculosis in Santiago de Cuba province was carried out in the period of January, 2004 to December, 2013, in order to characterize them according to some clinical-epidemiological variables: age, sex, sexual behavior, clinical and radiological features of tuberculosis, CD4 count, sputum microbiological tests, immunological tests and clinical course. In the series the total of bisexual and homosexual men, the tuberculosis diagnosis after 6 months of completing the chemoprophylaxis, with higher incidence in the pulmonary type of the disease, the X rays with base infiltrates, the CD4 count under 200 cells/mm3, the direct sputum and negative culture, besides the non-reactive Mantoux test. Most of the affected patients had a favorable clinical course and they were discharged when concluding the treatment and were cured of tuberculosis(AU)