A controlled evaluation of filter paper use during staining of sputum smears for tuberculosis microscopy.

Background: Some sputum smear microscopy protocols recommend placing filter paper over sputum smears during staining for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) . We found no published evidence assessing whether this is beneficial. We aimed to evaluate the effect of filter paper on sputum smear microscopy results. Methods: Sputum samples were collected from 30 patients with confirmed pulmonary TB and 4 healthy control participants. From each sputum sample, six smears (204 smears in total) were prepared for staining with Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), auramine or viability staining with fluorescein diacetate (FDA). Half of the slides subjected to each staining protocol were randomly selected to have Whatman grade 3 filter paper placed over the dried smears prior to stain application and removed prior to stain washing. The counts of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and precipitates per 100 high-power microscopy fields of view, and the proportion of smear that appeared to have been washed away were recorded. Statistical analysis used a linear regression model adjusted by staining technique with a random effects term to correct for between-sample variability.   Results: The inclusion of filter paper in the staining protocol significantly decreased microscopy positivity independent of staining with ZN, auramine or FDA (p=0.01). Consistent with this finding, there were lower smear grades in slides stained using filter paper versus without (p=0.04), and filter paper use reduced AFB counts by 0.28 logarithms (95% confidence intervals, CI=0.018, 0.54, p=0.04) independent of staining technique. In all analyses, auramine was consistently more sensitive with higher AFB counts versus ZN (p=0.001), whereas FDA had lower sensitivity and lower AFB counts (p<0.0001). Filter paper use was not associated with the presence of any precipitate (p=0.5) or the probability of any smear washing away (p=0.6) during the staining process. Conclusions: Filter paper reduced the sensitivity of AFB microscopy and had no detectable beneficial effects so is not recommended.

Active and passive case-finding in tuberculosis-affected households in Peru: a 10-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Active case-finding among contacts of patients with tuberculosis is a global health priority, but the effects of active versus passive case-finding are poorly characterised. We assessed the contribution of active versus passive case-finding to tuberculosis detection among contacts and compared sex and disease characteristics between contacts diagnosed through these strategies. METHODS: In shanty towns in Callao, Peru, we identified index patients with tuberculosis and followed up contacts aged 15 years or older for tuberculosis. All patients and contacts were offered free programmatic active case-finding entailing sputum smear microscopy and clinical assessment. Additionally, all contacts were offered intensified active case-finding with sputum smear and culture testing monthly for 6 months and then once every 4 years. Passive case-finding at local health facilities was ongoing throughout follow-up. FINDINGS: Between Oct 23, 2002, and May 26, 2006, we identified 2666 contacts, who were followed up until March 1, 2016. Median follow-up was 10·0 years (IQR 7·5-11·0). 232 (9%) of 2666 contacts were diagnosed with tuberculosis. The 2-year cumulative risk of tuberculosis was 4·6% (95% CI 3·5-5·5), and overall incidence was 0·98 cases (95% CI 0·86-1·10) per 100 person-years. 53 (23%) of 232 contacts with tuberculosis were diagnosed through active case-finding and 179 (77%) were identified through passive case-finding. During the first 6 months of the study, 23 (45%) of 51 contacts were diagnosed through active case-finding and 28 (55%) were identified through passive case-finding. Contacts diagnosed through active versus passive case-finding were more frequently female (36 [68%] of 53 vs 85 [47%] of 179; p=0·009), had a symptom duration of less than 15 days (nine [25%] of 36 vs ten [8%] of 127; p=0·03), and were more likely to be sputum smear-negative (33 [62%] of 53 vs 62 [35%] of 179; p=0·0003). INTERPRETATION: Although active case-finding made an important contribution to tuberculosis detection among contacts, passive case-finding detected most of the tuberculosis burden. Compared with passive case-finding, active case-finding was equitable, helped to diagnose tuberculosis earlier and usually before a positive result on sputum smear microscopy, and showed a high burden of undetected tuberculosis among women. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, Department for International Development Civil Society Challenge Fund, Joint Global Health Trials consortium, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Imperial College National Institutes of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Sir Halley Stewart Trust, WHO, TB REACH, and IFHAD: Innovation for Health and Development.

A score to predict and stratify risk of tuberculosis in adult contacts of tuberculosis index cases: a prospective derivation and external validation cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Contacts of tuberculosis index cases are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis. Screening, preventive therapy, and surveillance for tuberculosis are underused interventions in contacts, particularly adults. We developed a score to predict risk of tuberculosis in adult contacts of tuberculosis index cases. METHODS: In 2002-06, we recruited contacts aged 15 years or older of index cases with pulmonary tuberculosis who lived in desert shanty towns in Ventanilla, Peru. We followed up contacts for tuberculosis until February, 2016. We used a Cox proportional hazards model to identify index case, contact, and household risk factors for tuberculosis from which to derive a score and classify contacts as low, medium, or high risk. We validated the score in an urban community recruited in Callao, Peru, in 2014-15. FINDINGS: In the derivation cohort, we identified 2017 contacts of 715 index cases, and median follow-up was 10·7 years (IQR 9·5-11·8). 178 (9%) of 2017 contacts developed tuberculosis during 19 147 person-years of follow-up (incidence 0·93 per 100 person-years, 95% CI 0·80-1·08). Risk factors for tuberculosis were body-mass index, previous tuberculosis, age, sustained exposure to the index case, the index case being in a male patient, lower community household socioeconomic position, indoor air pollution, previous tuberculosis among household members, and living in a household with a low number of windows per room. The 10-year risks of tuberculosis in the low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk groups were, respectively, 2·8% (95% CI 1·7-4·4), 6·2% (4·8-8·1), and 20·6% (17·3-24·4). The 535 (27%) contacts classified as high risk accounted for 60% of the tuberculosis identified during follow-up. The score predicted tuberculosis independently of tuberculin skin test and index-case drug sensitivity results. In the external validation cohort, 65 (3%) of 1910 contacts developed tuberculosis during 3771 person-years of follow-up (incidence 1·7 per 100 person-years, 95% CI 1·4-2·2). The 2·5-year risks of tuberculosis in the low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk groups were, respectively, 1·4% (95% CI 0·7-2·8), 3·9% (2·5-5·9), and 8·6%· (5·9-12·6). INTERPRETATION: Our externally validated risk score could predict and stratify 10-year risk of developing tuberculosis in adult contacts, and could be used to prioritise tuberculosis control interventions for people most likely to benefit. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, Department for International Development Civil Society Challenge Fund, Joint Global Health Trials consortium, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Imperial College National Institutes of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Sir Halley Stewart Trust, WHO, TB REACH, and Innovation for Health and Development.

Sputum Microscopy With Fluorescein Diacetate Predicts Tuberculosis Infectiousness.

Background: Sputum from patients with tuberculosis contains subpopulations of metabolically active and inactive Mycobacterium tuberculosis with unknown implications for infectiousness. Methods: We assessed sputum microscopy with fluorescein diacetate (FDA, evaluating M. tuberculosis metabolic activity) for predicting infectiousness. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was quantified in pretreatment sputum of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis using FDA microscopy, culture, and acid-fast microscopy. These 35 patients' 209 household contacts were followed with prevalence surveys for tuberculosis disease for 6 years. Results: FDA microscopy was positive for a median of 119 (interquartile range [IQR], 47-386) bacteria/µL sputum, which was 5.1% (IQR, 2.4%-11%) the concentration of acid-fast microscopy-positive bacteria (2069 [IQR, 1358-3734] bacteria/µL). Tuberculosis was diagnosed during follow-up in 6.4% (13/209) of contacts. For patients with lower than median concentration of FDA microscopy-positive M. tuberculosis, 10% of their contacts developed tuberculosis. This was significantly more than 2.7% of the contacts of patients with higher than median FDA microscopy results (crude hazard ratio [HR], 3.8; P = .03). This association maintained statistical significance after adjusting for disease severity, chemoprophylaxis, drug resistance, and social determinants (adjusted HR, 3.9; P = .02). Conclusions: Mycobacterium tuberculosis that was FDA microscopy negative was paradoxically associated with greater infectiousness. FDA microscopy-negative bacteria in these pretreatment samples may be a nonstaining, slowly metabolizing phenotype better adapted to airborne transmission.

Diagnóstico diferencial del temblor / Differential diagnosis of tremor

Se hace una revisión bibliográfica del temblor con énfasis en la crítica del concepto, los aspectos etiológicos y la semiología, así como la semiotecnia; aspectos estos que conducen, entre otros, a clarificar el diagnóstico diferencial en base a la localización anatómica, las circunstancias conductuales acompañantes, la amplitud del mismo y algunas entidades o factores causales, elementos que derivan en facilitar una propuesta de clasificación con la semiotecnia correspondiente. Finalmente se insiste en las patologías, tóxicos, drogas y aspectos genéticos que pueden originar este síntoma-signo, así como en una entidad nosológica en que el temblor es un síntoma capital y excepcionalmente puede cursar con ausencia total del mismo (Parkinson) y conllevar a dificultades en el diagnóstico. Se evidencia la necesidad de estudiar este tópico por su importancia clínica y neuro- psíquica así como por su escueta bibliografía, sobre todo reciente (AU)

A bibliographical revision of the tremor is made with emphasis in the criticism of the concept, the etiologic aspects and the semiology, as well as the semiotecnia; aspects these that contribute, among other, to clarify the differential diagnosis based on the anatomical localization, the accompanying behavioral circumstances, its extent and some entities or causal factors, elements that derive in facilitating a classification proposal with the corresponding semiotecnia. Finally it is insisted in the pathologies, toxic, drugs and genetic aspects that can originate this symptom-sign, as well as in a nosologic entity that tremor is a capital symptom and exceptionally it can happen with total absence (Parkinson) and to share to difficulties in the diagnosis. The necessity of studying this topic for its clinical and neuro - psychic importance as well as for its concise bibliography, is evidenced mainly recent (AU)

Diagnóstico diferencial del temblor: [revisión] / Differential diagnosis of tremor: [review]

Se hace una revisión bibliográfica del temblor con énfasis en la crítica del concepto, los aspectos etiológicos y la semiología, así como la semiotecnia; aspectos estos que conducen, entre otros, a clarificar el diagnóstico diferencial en base a la localización anatómica, las circunstancias conductuales acompañantes, la amplitud del mismo y algunas entidades o factores causales, elementos que derivan en facilitar una propuesta de clasificación con la semiotecnia correspondiente. Finalmente se insiste en las patologías, tóxicos, drogas y aspectos genéticos que pueden originar este síntoma-signo, así como en una entidad nosológica en que el temblor es un síntoma capital y excepcionalmente puede cursar con ausencia total del mismo (Parkinson) y conllevar a dificultades en el diagnóstico. Se evidencia la necesidad de estudiar este tópico por su importancia clínica y neuro- psíquica así como por su escueta bibliografía, sobre todo reciente.

A bibliographical revision of the tremor is made with emphasis in the criticism of the concept, the etiologic aspects and the semiology, as well as the semiotecnia; aspects these that contribute, among other, to clarify the differential diagnosis based on the anatomical localization, the accompanying behavioral circumstances, its extent and some entities or causal factors, elements that derive in facilitating a classification proposal with the corresponding semiotecnia. Finally it is insisted in the pathologies, toxic, drugs and genetic aspects that can originate this symptom-sign, as well as in a nosologic entity that tremor is a capital symptom and exceptionally it can happen with total absence (Parkinson) and to share to difficulties in the diagnosis. The necessity of studying this topic for its clinical and neuro - psychic importance as well as for its concise bibliography, is evidenced mainly recent.

Respuesta completa al tratamiento en un caso de seminoma del mediastino / Complete answer to treatment in a case of seminoma of the mediastinum

Se presenta y discute el caso de un paciente de 46 años con antecedentes de la enfermedad de Hansen y cuadro clínico de dolor torácico, tos seca y derrame pleural de cuatro meses de evolución. Se le diagnosticó por biopsia de las partes blandas a nivel de esternón un seminoma de mediastino avanzado que infiltra la pared torácica y recibió tratamiento con poliquimioterapia basada en cisplatino y radioterapia hace seis años y se mantiene controlado de su enfermedad(AU)

It is present and discusses a case of a 46 year-old patient with antecedents of the Hansen´s disease and clinical picture of thoracic pain, dry cough and pleural effusion of four months of evolution. It was diagnosed by biopsy of the soft parts to sternum level an advanced seminoma of the mediastinum that infiltrates the thoracic wall and he received treatment with polychemotherapy based on cisplatin and radiotherapy six years ago and he stays controlled of his illness(AU)

Respuesta completa al tratamiento en un caso de seminoma del mediastino / Complete answer to treatment in a case of seminoma of the mediastinum

Se presenta y discute el caso de un paciente de 46 años con antecedentes de la enfermedad de Hansen y cuadro clínico de dolor torácico, tos seca y derrame pleural de cuatro meses de evolución. Se le diagnosticó por biopsia de las partes blandas a nivel de esternón un seminoma de mediastino avanzado que infiltra la pared torácica y recibió tratamiento con poliquimioterapia basada en cisplatino y radioterapia hace seis años y se mantiene controlado de su enfermedad.

It is present and discusses a case of a 46 year-old patient with antecedents of the Hansen´s disease and clinical picture of thoracic pain, dry cough and pleural effusion of four months of evolution. It was diagnosed by biopsy of the soft parts to sternum level an advanced seminoma of the mediastinum that infiltrates the thoracic wall and he received treatment with polychemotherapy based on cisplatin and radiotherapy six years ago and he stays controlled of his illness.

Improved diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis using the microscopic- observation drug-susceptibility technique.

Tests for pleural tuberculosis are insensitive and expensive. We compared nonproprietary microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility (MODS) culture with Löwenstein-Jensen culture for evaluation of pleural specimens. MODS culture was associated with greatly increased diagnostic sensitivity and shorter time to diagnosis, compared with Löwenstein-Jensen culture (sensitivity of culture of biopsy specimens, 81% vs.51%; time to diagnosis, 11 days vs. 24 days; P < .001). The MODS technique is inexpensive, allows drug-susceptibility testing, and is a considerably improved diagnostic method for pleural tuberculosis.

Evaluation of a PCR-based universal heteroduplex generator assay as a tool for rapid detection of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Peru.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is an increasing health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. The PCR-UHG-Rif assay, which detects mutations within the rpoB gene associated with rifampin resistance, was evaluated for its ability and reliability to detect and identify drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a developing country where tuberculosis is highly endemic.

[Omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin in the treatment of helicobacterpylori, in 7 and 10-day regimens]. / Tratamiento del Helicobacter pylori con omeprazol, amoxicilina y claritromicina en esquemas de 7 y 10 días.

AIM: The most accepted treatment for infection by Helicobacter pylori is the proton pump inhibitor based therapy with two antibiotics. However, there is no consensus regarding the duration. The purpose here was to compare eradication percentages in the omeprazole+amoxicillin+clarithromycin regimen administered during 7 days versus 10 days and confront the results with a previous 14-day* experience in Peru. METHOD: Patients from the Central Military Hospital and Peruvian-Japanese Hospital evidencing chronic upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms were recruited. We excluded patients with peptic ulcer. Biopsies were taken for diagnosis, for urease and PCR tests, culture and coloring with silver. Omeprazole+clarithromycin+amoxicillin was used during 7 days versus 10 days. Control endoscopy was performed one month after treatment had been completed and molecular biology techniques were used to differentiate recurrences from new infections. Susceptibility to clarithromycin was assessed. RESULTS: 36 patients were included in each group. Eradication was the same in both groups: 86.1% (31/36). In several patients in whom the bacteria persisted, the same initial nucleus was found. In a previous study* using this same regimen during 14 days, a 93% eradication was obtained. 91.18% of our samples were susceptible to clarithromycin. CONCLUSIONS: In Peru, the omeprazole+clarithromycin+amoxicillin combination gives results higher than 80% in the eradication of infection by Helicobacter pylori. The 7 and 10 days regimens eradicated the bacteria in 86% of our patients.

Tratamiento del Helicobacter Pylori con Omeprazol, Amoxicilina y Claritromicina en esquemas de 7 y 10 días / Omeprazole, Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin in the treatment of Helicobacter Pylori, in 7 and 10-day regimens

Objetivo. La terapia de un inhibidor de la bomba de protones más dos antibióticos es el tratamiento más aceptado para la infección por el helicobacter pylori. Sin embargo, no hay consenso sobre su duración. El objetivo fue comparar los porcentajes de erradicación del esquema de omeprazol+amoxicilina+claritromicina administrados durante 7 vs 10 días. Metodología: Seleccionamos pacientes del Hospital Militar Central y Policlínico Peruano-Japonés con síntomas del tracto gastrointestinal superior y Helicobacter pylori. Excluimos aquellos con úlcera péptica. Para el diagnóstico se tomaron biopsias para la prueba de la ureasa, PCR, cultivo y coloración con plata. Empleamos omeprazol+claritromicina+amoxicilina, durante 7 días versus 10 días. Realizamos endoscopía control al mes de terminado el tratamiento, y utilizamos técnicas de biología molecular para diferenciar las recurrencias de las reinfeciones. Evaluamos l susceptibilidad a claritromicina. Resultados: Incluimos 36 pacientes en cada grupo. En ambos la erradicación fue igual: 86.1 por ciento (31/36). En varios pacientes en que persistió la bacteria se identificó la misma cepa que la inicial. El 91.18 por ciento de nuestras muestras fueron sensibles a claritromicina. Conclusiones: En el Perú la combinación de omeprazol+claritromicina+amoxicilina para erradicar la infección por el Helicobacter pylori da resultados superiores al 80 por ciento. El esquema de 7 y 10 días erradicó a la bacteria en el 86 por ciento de nuestros pacientes.

Respuesta completa al tratamiento en un caso de seminoma del mediastino / Complete response to treatment in a medisastinal seminoma

Se reportó el caso de un paciente con diagnóstico de seminoma del mediastino, en el Hospital Provincial Oncológico "María Curie" donde se le aplicó un esquema de tratamiento de poliquimioterapia con cisplatino, adriamicina, vincristina y bleomicín, con posterioridad recibió tratamiento radiante externo con Co 60 y se obtuvo una respuesta favorable y desaparición de todos los síntomas(AU)

Respuesta completa al tratamiento en un caso de seminoma del mediastino / Complete response to treatment in a medisastinal seminoma

Se reportó el caso de un paciente con diagnóstico de seminoma del mediastino, en el Hospital Provincial Oncológico "María Curie" donde se le aplicó un esquema de tratamiento de poliquimioterapia con cisplatino, adriamicina, vincristina y bleomicín, con posterioridad recibió tratamiento radiante externo con Co 60 y se obtuvo una respuesta favorable y desaparición de todos los síntomas.

Respuesta completa a quimioterapia en 2 pacientes con tumores malignos no seminomatosos de testículo diseminados / Complete response to chemotherapy in 2 patients with non-seminomatous disseminated malignant testicular tumors

Se reportan los casos de 2 pacientes diagnosticados con tumores malignos no seminomatosos de testículo (coriocarcinoma y carcinoma embrionario) que al momento de su diagnóstico presentaban enfermedad diseminada y que fueron tratados en el Hospital Provincial de Oncología "María Curie" de Camagüey con esquema de poliquimioterapia que incluye cisplatino, bleomicin, vinblastina y adriamicina. En ambos casos se obtuvo una respuesta completa que se mantiene en uno a los 48 meses y en otro a los 45 meses después de finalizado el tratamiento(AU)

Bioética y oncología: relación médico-paciente / Bioethics and Oncology

Se realizó un análisis del manejo de la información del médico al enfermo oncológico y cómo ésta debe ser suministrada; destacando el papel del médico en la relación con este tipo de paciente acorde con las características personales del afectado y de sus posibles diferentes modalidades de respuesta emocional. Se imbrica en tal sentido el manejo del pronóstico, del tratamiento y el papel de la familia y la sociedad(AU)