TBDBT: A TB DataBase Template for collection of harmonized TB clinical research data in REDCap, facilitating data standardisation for inter-study comparison and meta-analyses.

Clinical tuberculosis research, both within research groups and across research ecosystems, is often undertaken in isolation using bespoke data collection platforms and applying differing data conventions. This failure to harmonise clinical phenotype data or apply standardised data collection and storage standards in turn limits the opportunity to undertake meta-analyses using data generated across multiple research projects for the same research domain. We have developed the Tuberculosis DataBase Template (TBDBT), a template for the well-supported, free and commonly deployed clinical databasing platform, REDCap. This template can be used to set up a new tuberculosis research database with a built-in set of standardised data conventions, to ensure standardised data capture across research projects and programs. A modular design enables researchers to implement only the modules of the database template that are appropriate for their particular study. The template includes core modules for informed consent data, participant demographics, clinical symptoms and presentation, diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests. Optional modules have been designed for visit scheduling and calendar functionality, clinical trial randomisation, study logistics and operations, and pharmacokinetic data. Additional fields can be added as needed. This REDCap template can facilitate collection of high-quality data for tuberculosis research, providing a tool to ensure better data harmonisation, analysis and meta-analysis.

Bilateral polymicrobial osteomyelitis with Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei: a case report and an updated literature review.

OBJECTIVES: We present a case of bilateral polymicrobial osteomyelitis with Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei, and review the literature on Candida osteomyelitis. METHODS: PubMed was searched for cases of Candida osteomyelitis published in the English-language literature between 1970 and 2010. CASE: A 60-year-old previously healthy man was hospitalized with gallstone pancreatitis. Between 3 weeks and 6 months after hospitalization, he developed bilateral osteomyelitis of the feet with C. tropicalis and C. krusei. The patient was treated with surgery, fluconazole, and a liposomal formulation of amphotericin B. The left lower limb was amputated, and at a 2-year follow-up, the patient had almost no pain in his right foot. LITERATURE REVIEW: We identified 40 new cases in the literature since the latest review in 2004. Most cases of Candida osteomyelitis are caused by Candida albicans, but an increasing number are caused by non-albicans species. The prognosis is favorable, with full recovery in the majority of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Candida osteomyelitis should be considered when a patient presents with risk factors and pain without previous trauma, because Candida, despite being part of the normal flora, is the fourth leading cause of hematogenous nosocomial infections. The recommended treatment is surgery and fluconazole as monotherapy or initially combined with a fungicidal agent, either a different amphotericin B formulation or an echinocandin.