Bacteriological analysis of induced sputum for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in the clinical practice of a general tertiary hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity of bacteriological analyses in induced sputum (IS) for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and to identify the clinical characteristics associated with the confirmed diagnosis, as well as to determine the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy carried out when IS tests negative for AFB in smear microscopy. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients suspected of having active pulmonary TB and referred to our clinic for sputum induction. We consecutively reviewed the laboratory data of all patients submitted to sputum induction between June of 2003 and January of 2006, as well as their electronic medical records. In addition, the results of the bacteriological analysis of bronchoscopic specimens collected from the patients whose AFB tests were negative in IS were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 417 patients included in the study, 83 (19.9%) presented IS samples that tested positive for TB (smear microscopy or culture). In the logistic regression analysis, radiological findings of cavitation (OR = 3.8; 95% CI: 1.9-7.6) and of miliary infiltrate (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.6-8.6) showed the strongest association with the diagnosis of pulmonary TB. In 134 patients, bronchoscopy was carried out after negative AFB results in IS and added 25 (64.1%) confirmed diagnoses of pulmonary TB. CONCLUSIONS: In our clinical practice, the frequency of confirmed diagnosis of pulmonary TB using IS (19.9%) was lower than that previously reported in controlled trials. Cavitation and miliary infiltrate increase the diagnostic probability of pulmonary TB using IS. The use of bronchoscopy when IS tests negative for AFB significantly increases sensitivity in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB.

Bacteriological analysis of induced sputum for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in the clinical practice of a general tertiary hospital / Análise bacteriológica do escarro induzido para o diagnóstico de tuberculose pulmonar na prática clínica de um hospital geral terciário

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity of bacteriological analyses in induced sputum (IS) for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and to identify the clinical characteristics associated with the confirmed diagnosis, as well as to determine the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy carried out when IS tests negative for AFB in smear microscopy. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients suspected of having active pulmonary TB and referred to our clinic for sputum induction. We consecutively reviewed the laboratory data of all patients submitted to sputum induction between June of 2003 and January of 2006, as well as their electronic medical records. In addition, the results of the bacteriological analysis of bronchoscopic specimens collected from the patients whose AFB tests were negative in IS were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 417 patients included in the study, 83 (19.9 percent) presented IS samples that tested positive for TB (smear microscopy or culture). In the logistic regression analysis, radiological findings of cavitation (OR = 3.8; 95 percent CI: 1.9-7.6) and of miliary infiltrate (OR = 3.7; 95 percent CI: 1.6-8.6) showed the strongest association with the diagnosis of pulmonary TB. In 134 patients, bronchoscopy was carried out after negative AFB results in IS and added 25 (64.1 percent) confirmed diagnoses of pulmonary TB. CONCLUSIONS: In our clinical practice, the frequency of confirmed diagnosis of pulmonary TB using IS (19.9 percent) was lower than that previously reported in controlled trials. Cavitation and miliary infiltrate increase the diagnostic probability of pulmonary TB using IS. The use of bronchoscopy when IS tests negative for AFB significantly increases sensitivity in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a sensibilidade diagnóstica da análise bacteriológica do escarro induzido (EI) para o diagnóstico de tuberculose (TB) pulmonar e identificar as variáveis clínicas associadas com o diagnóstico confirmado. Além disso, avaliar o rendimento diagnóstico da broncoscopia realizada se a pesquisa de BAAR for negativa no EI. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal e retrospectivo de pacientes com suspeita de TB pulmonar ativa, encaminhados ao serviço para a indução de escarro. Foram revisados consecutivamente os registros laboratoriais de todos os pacientes submetidos à indução de escarro entre junho de 2003 e janeiro de 2006, assim como o prontuário eletrônico de cada caso. Também foram revisados os resultados bacteriológicos das amostras broncoscópicas coletadas dos pacientes cujos resultados de BAAR em EI foram negativos. RESULTADOS: Dos 417 pacientes estudados, 83 (19,9 por cento) tiveram resultados positivos (BAAR e/ou cultura) no EI. Na análise de regressão logística, os achados radiológicos de cavitação pulmonar (OR = 3,8; IC95 por cento: 1,9-7,6) e de infiltrado de padrão miliar (OR = 3,7; IC95 por cento: 1,6-8,6) associaram-se mais significativamente com o diagnóstico de TB pulmonar. A broncoscopia foi realizada, após resultado de BAAR negativo no EI, em 134 pacientes e acrescentou 25 (64,1 por cento) diagnósticos confirmados de TB pulmonar. CONCLUSÕES: Na prática clínica, a frequência de diagnósticos confirmados de TB pulmonar por EI (19,9 por cento) foi menor do que aquela previamente relatada em ensaios controlados. Cavitação e infiltrado miliar aumentam a probabilidade diagnóstica de TB pulmonar no EI. O uso de broncoscopia quando EI é negativo para BAAR melhora significativamente a sensibilidade para o diagnóstico de TB.

Avaliação da adesão ao protocolo de pneumonia adquirida na comunidade na emergência do HCPA / Assessment of adherence to community acquired pneumonia protocol at HCPA emergency room

Objetivo: O estudo tem como objetivo principal avaliar o grau de adesão ao protocolo para manejo de Pneumonia Adquirida na Comunidade (PAC) vigente na emergência do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). Visamos também, buscar características epidemiológicas, clínicas e laboratoriais que possam contribuir para um desfecho mais grave nestes pacientes. Métodos: De forma prospectiva e observacional, selecionamos pacientes com diagnóstico clínico e radiológico de pneumonia, através de busca ativa na emergência do HCPA, durante o período de agosto a novembro de 2005. O já consagrado escore PORT (Pneumonia Patient outcomes Research Team) de gravidade foi utilizado para estratificação dos pacientes, os quais foram reavaliados no quinto dia. Resultados: Foram obtidos dados de 77 pacientes, com taxa geral de adesão de 65,8 por cento. Esta caiu para apenas 8,7 por cento quando analisados pacientes com PORT 1 e 2, subindo para 91,8 por cento quando considerados os pacientes com escores PORT maiores. Conclusões: Antibioticoterapia não recomendada, exames laboratoriais e internação desnecessários foram os pontos mais discordantes das recomendações do protocolo. Os dados demonstram a necessidade de uma maior adesão ao protocolo, com vistas à redução de gastos desnecessários e melhoria na qualidade do atendimento