Paediatric tuberculosis in Queensland, Australia: overrepresentation of cross-border and Indigenous children.

SETTING: Queensland, Australia. BACKGROUND: Understanding paediatric tuberculosis (TB) is important, as children with TB typically reflect recent community transmission. Children pose unique diagnostic challenges and are at risk of developing severe disseminated infection. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology, presentation and outcomes of children with TB disease in Queensland. DESIGN: This is a retrospective case series of children diagnosed with TB aged 0-16 years notified in 2005-2014. Data collected in the Queensland Notifiable Conditions System were extracted and analysed. RESULTS: Of 127 children diagnosed with TB, 16 were Australian-born (including 12 Indigenous Queenslanders), 41 were overseas-born permanent and temporary residents and 70 were cross-border Papua New Guinea (PNG) children; 88 children had pulmonary disease (with/without other sites) and 39 had extra-pulmonary disease only, with lymph node TB the predominant extra-pulmonary site; 70.1% of children had laboratory confirmation; and 14 cross-border children had multidrug-resistant TB. Treatment outcomes among children residing in Australia were good (100% among Australian-born and 97.2% among permanent and temporary residents), but they were less favourable among PNG children diagnosed in the Torres Strait Protected Zone (76.6%). CONCLUSION: Queensland has unique challenges in TB control, with a high proportion of cross-border diagnoses and over-representation of Indigenous children. Vigilance is needed given the wide spectrum of clinical presentation, particularly in high-risk communities.

Association of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis with age, sex and season differs depending on the affected organ.

SETTING: Data from tuberculosis (TB) cases in Germany who are continuously monitored for the purposes of epidemiological surveillance and disease control. OBJECTIVE: To examine the distribution of age, sex, place of birth, seasonality and recurrence of TB disease in different types of TB organ manifestations, with particular focus on lymph nodes and pleura. DESIGN: All TB cases reported to the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LAGeSo) in Berlin, Germany, between 2001 and 2012 were analysed. RESULTS: Significant differences with regard to seasonal variation as well as age and sex distribution were seen when comparing pleural TB and TB of the extrathoracic lymph nodes, the predominant types of extra-pulmonary TB. EPTB was generally more prevalent in patients born outside Europe. In contrast to a previous study, an increase in recurrent TB was not observed in EPTB when compared to pulmonary TB cases. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in TB organ manifestation in association with season, sex and age suggest different pathophysiological mechanisms of disease development. Future studies might provide further insight into the mechanism of TB development and may therefore be of help in the prevention and treatment of EPTB.

Relationship between human LTA4H polymorphisms and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in an ethnic Han Chinese population in Eastern China.

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in Leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) gene were reported to be associated with protection from pulmonary tuberculosis in Vietnamese population. But these associations were not found in the Russians. To investigate the association of LTA4H polymorphisms with tuberculosis in a Han Chinese population in Eastern China, we genotyped 5 SNPs of LTA4H gene in 743 of pulmonary tuberculosis patients, 372 of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 888 of healthy controls individuals. The CC and TT homozygotes of rs1978331 and rs2540474 were identified to have higher rates (P < 0.01) and be risk factors in the patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (OR = 1.412; 95% CI = 1.104-1.804 and(OR = 1.380; 95% CI = 1.080-1.764). However, no significant association was found between any of the SNPs and pulmonary tuberculosis. In the extra-pulmonary tuberculosis subgroups. LTA4H gene were significantly associated with tuberculous meningitis, lymph node tuberculosis, bone tuberculosis and other extra-pulmonary tuberculosis except for pleural tuberculosis. The present findings suggest that polymorphisms in the LTA4H gene may affect susceptibility to extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and change the risk of developing the disease in the Han nationality in the East China.

Challenges in diagnosing tuberculosis in children.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical investigations of childhood tuberculosis (TB) are challenged by the paucibacillary nature of the disease and the difficulties in obtaining specimens. We investigated the challenges in diagnosing TB in children in a low-incidence country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were retrieved retrospectively from the paediatric departments at Danish university hospitals from April 2004 to March 2009 using the diagnosis code A15.0-A19.9 in children below the age of 15 years. RESULTS: A total of 54 children were identified of whom 13 were native Danes. The remaining immigrants were from a range of countries, the majority from Somalia. In all, 44 children had pulmonary TB and the proportion of extrapulmonary TB was higher among immigrants than among Danes. The cardinal symptoms were fever, weight loss and cough. In 41 cases (76%), a combination of a positive tuberculin skin test, an abnormal chest X-ray and the clinical presentation led to initiation of treatment. TB diagnosis was confirmed later by culture in 29 cases. The median number of days from contact to the healthcare system to treatment initiation was two days for 23 children who were part of contact tracing and seven days for the remaining children. All children but one completed treatment, and three patients were retreated due to relapse. Side effects to treatment were observed in 20 cases. None of the patients died. CONCLUSION: The majority of the children affected with TB were foreign-born with a higher proportion of extrapulmonary TB. The microbiological confirmation was low. A rapid onset of treatment was closely related to known, recent exposure.

Mediastinal tuberculosis in Bradford, United Kingdom: the role of mediastinoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patients with mediastinal tuberculosis (MT), their demographic profiles, symptoms, radiological features and the role of mediastinoscopy. METHODS: This retrospective study conducted at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, Bradford, United Kingdom, looked at the case notes of 160 (13%) patients with MT out of a cohort of 1252 notifications of tuberculosis (TB) cases from 1995 to 2004, analysing the demographic data, diagnostic findings, computed tomography (CT) scans and outcomes. Interventions included bronchoscopy, lymph node biopsy and mediastinoscopy. RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 1 to 75 years; the majority were females and from minority ethnic groups. Contact history was positive in 76% of cases. Cough was the most common symptom (50%); however, asymptomatic patients were also common (45%). Heaf test was positive in 99%. Right paratracheal lymphadenopathy was common on chest X-ray and chest CT scan. Mediastinoscopy was performed in only 37 patients with definitive diagnosis. CONCLUSION: MT should be suspected in adult asymptomatic immigrants presenting with mediastinal adenopathy and a strongly positive Heaf test. Trial of anti-tuberculosis treatment should be initiated and response should guide further management. Mediastinoscopy is required in only a minority of patients.

Lymph node tuberculosis in patients from regions with varying burdens of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

BACKGROUND: Few large cohorts of patients with lymph node tuberculosis (LNTB) have been reported in developed countries. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of LNTB in patients living in France but born and raised in geographic areas with varying burdens of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. DESIGN: A retrospective study of all patients with bacteriologically-proven LNTB assessed in a French hospital from March 1996 through April 2005. RESULTS: The analysis included 92 patients. HIV coinfected patients had a higher risk than those without HIV of presenting with disseminated TB and systemic symptoms and of hospitalization. Lymph node diagnostic procedures had a high yield when samples were cultured. About 25% of patients had an abnormal chest radiograph, and most of them were positive for acid-fast bacilli on sputum smears or for Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture. Treatment was generally prescribed for a longer duration than that recommended by international guidelines. One quarter of the patients developed a paradoxical reaction. A high proportion of our patients were classified as nonadherent and 20% defaulted or were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Most of the differences in the clinical presentation among patients from various geographic areas were driven by the epidemiology of TB and HIV in the countries of origin. LNTB is frequently a clinical sign of disseminated disease, and culture for M. tuberculosis from LN or other sites is crucial for diagnosis. Adopting the strategy of Directly Observed Treatment, Short course (DOTS) might reduce the rates of nonadherence and default.

[Lymph node tuberculosis in France in non-immunosuppressed adults: current pathology]. / La tuberculose ganglionnaire en France chez l'adulte non immunodéprimé: une pathologie qui reste d'actualité.

PURPOSE: Lymph node tuberculosis is more frequent in Africa or in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: We review results that were obtained in 18 patients with lymph node tuberculosis but without infection by HIV. Eight French native patients (mean age: 69 years) and ten African patients (mean age: 32.5 years) were included into the study. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, 14 had exclusively hematopoietic localizations, two with medullar involvement and two with either liver or spleen involvement. Normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate was found in two out of 18 cases and normal C-reactive protein levels in seven out of 17 cases. Lymph node biopsy revealed lesions typically associated with tuberculosis in 12 out of 14 patients, two of them had no necrosis. Inflammatory syndrome was inconstant, tuberculin test sometimes negative. A favorable outcome was seen in all cases after 6, 12 or 18 months of treatment, depending on clinical appreciation. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous lymphadenopathy in non-HIV-infected patients may occur without inflammatory syndrome, with sometimes negative tuberculin test and without lymph node necrosis.

Cutaneous tuberculosis in Blackburn district (U.K.): a 15-year prospective series, 1981-95.

Data collected prospectively on all 1065 cases of tuberculosis occurring in the Blackburn district, U.K. (population 265,000), over a 15-year period have been analysed, and from these 47 cases of cutaneous tuberculosis have been identified. The most common form was scrofuloderma, skin involvement with adjacent structural disease, of which there were 26 cases (55.3%). There was no ethnic bias in this group. The eight white patients with scrofuloderma were of average age 66 years, and are thought to represent reactivation disease. Six patients (12.8%) had lupus vulgaris, four (8.5%) had metastatic tuberculosis and 10 (21.3%) were diagnosed as having one of the tuberculides, of which Bazin's disease (erythema induratum) was the most common. In addition, one patient (2.2%) had orificial tuberculosis. In contrast to scrofuloderma, all other forms of cutaneous tuberculosis occurred almost exclusively in patients from the Indian Subcontinent (ISC). The high incidence of tuberculosis in Blackburn is mainly linked to its significant proportion of residents of ISC ethnic origin. There were no cases of HIV infection coexisting with either cutaneous or other forms of tuberculosis. Recommendations for the treatment of cutaneous tuberculosis are made.

Mediastinal computed tomography in a British Asian population.

We describe a retrospective review of all the thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans performed on British Asian patients at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton between January 1989 and April 1992. 39 patients were studied. Of 15 patients with active tuberculosis (TB), 14 showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy. In nine of these 15 patients this adenopathy was the only positive imaging finding, as neither lung parenchymal nor pleural abnormalities were detected on CT or plain chest radiograph (CXR). The patterns of node distribution and enhancement following intravenous contrast are described. We conclude that thoracic CT is useful in Asian or other high risk patients in whom active TB is suspected, but who lack definitive microbiological or CXR proof of diagnosis.

Bacteriological survey of tuberculous lymphadenitis in southeast England, 1981-1989.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to detect any changing trends in the nature and incidence of tuberculous lymphadenitis in southeast England and to determine whether there is any evidence for an increase in this disease that could be related to HIV infection. DESIGN: Mycobacteria isolated from patients with lymphadenitis in the years 1981 to 1989 were identified. Information was available on the age, sex, and ethnic origin of the patients and the anatomical site from which the mycobacterium was isolated. SETTING: The Public Health Laboratory Service Regional Tuberculosis Centre at Dulwich, which receives over 95% of mycobacteria isolated in southeast England. MAIN RESULTS: From 1980 to 1989, cultures were received from 1817 patients with mycobacterial lymphadenitis: 1677 were M tuberculosis, 25 M bovis, 21 M africanum, and 94 were other (environmental) species. In comparison with a survey conducted in the same region in 1973-80, the number of ethnic Indian subcontinent patients with lymphadenitis due to M tuberculosis had dropped by 30% and the number of European patients had dropped by 43% and showed a continuing decline and a shift towards an older age group. By contrast, there was a 20% increase in the number of cases due to environmental mycobacteria. The number of species causing such infections had increased and a greater proportion of patients were adults. Three patients infected by environmental mycobacteria were known to be HIV positive. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of lymphadentis due to M tuberculosis is declining but cases due to environmental mycobacteria are increasing, with a greater diversity of species and more adult patients. There is no conclusive evidence for an impact of HIV infection on the incidence and nature of mycobacterial lymphadenopathy in southeast England, but this cannot be ruled out.

Primary tuberculosis in childhood: radiographic manifestations.

The aim of the study was to review the radiologic features of primary tuberculosis in childhood and to determine whether differences in patterns of disease occur among age and ethnic groups. Chest radiographs of 191 children with pediatric primary tuberculosis were reviewed by two observers. Lymphadenopathy, present in 92% of cases, was the most common abnormality identified on the initial chest radiograph and typically involved the hilar and paratracheal regions. Parenchymal abnormalities, identified in 70% of cases, occurred more commonly in the right lung (P less than .001). Children 0-3 years of age had a higher prevalence of lymphadenopathy (P less than .01) and a lower prevalence of parenchymal abnormalities (P less than .001) than older children. A lower prevalence of lymphadenopathy was found in whites than in nonwhites (P less than .02). The radiologic abnormalities often progressed in the initial follow-up. Lymphadenopathy, with or without concomitant parenchymal abnormality, is the radiologic hallmark of primary tuberculosis in childhood. However, distinct age-related and racial differences in presenting patterns of disease exist and should be recognized.

[The manifestations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis]. / Erscheinungsformen der extrapulmonalen Tuberkulose.

Seven weeks after a generalized cerebral seizure a 27-year-old woman from Ghana developed nausea, vomiting and weight loss, gradually increasing over two weeks. Cranial computed tomography revealed several hyperdense formations with extensive associated oedema and a midline shift. Among extensive biochemical tests only a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 24/50 mm and leukopenia of 2,600/microliters (with normal differential count) were notable. Diagnostic laparotomy was performed because of sonographic and computed tomographic evidence of enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. Histological examination of representative lymph nodes and of tiny nodules deposited on the peritoneum revealed caseous granulomatous inflammation. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from these specimens. Antituberculosis treatment was started with 0.3 g/d isoniazid, 0.6 g/d rifampicin, 2 g/d pyrazinamide and 1 g/d streptomycin, plus dexamethasone, 4 mg four times daily. After eight weeks treatment an intracerebral focus, removed to exclude neoplasm, proved histologically to be a tuberculoma. Only after four months was it possible to reduce the glucocorticoid dosage to prednisone, 20 mg/d. The antituberculosis treatment was continued for 18 months, with only isoniazid and rifampicin taken during the last 14 months. Final clinical and biochemical examinations were unremarkable. Computed tomography demonstrated regression of the abdominal lymph nodes and the cerebral foci. The patient was without any symptoms.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis in an immigrant society: clinical and demographic aspects of 92 cases.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis accounted for 33% of all new cases of tuberculosis identified at the Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva, Israel, during a 10-year period. The most common types of extrapulmonary infection diagnosed were genitourinary tuberculosis (54% of patients), lymphadenitis (13%), pleural tuberculosis (9%), and tuberculosis of bones and joints (8%). Of 92 patients, 51% were Jews of Ethiopian origin, 29% were Jews of non-Ethiopian origin, and 20% were Bedouins. Thus, extrapulmonary tuberculosis remains a significant problem for Israel's heterogeneous population.

[Health care channels for new cases of respiratory tuberculosis in Seine Saint-Denis in 1984-1986]. / Les filières de soins des nouveaux cas de tuberculose respiratoire en Seine Saint-Denis en 1984-1986.

The purpose of this study was to observe routine practice in the care of tuberculosis cases treated in the Seine Saint-Denis department in 1984, with reference to the recent recommendations of the French Pneumology Society. The pathway of each patient through the care network was established for 336 adult cases being treated for respiratory tuberculosis for the first time. The social and economic cost of each pathway was evaluated. The results show the multiplicity of health services intervening in the care of these patients, the persistence of hospitalization, sanatorium care, and long sick-leaves from work, together with major differences in the care pathways according to the nationality, sex, and socio-economic group of the patients. The cost of tuberculosis treatment is shown to be high for both patients and the community.

[Multifocal tuberculosis of bone. Apropos of an exceptional case]. / La tuberculose osseuse multifocale. A propos d'une observation exceptionnelle.

Multifocal tuberculosis of bones (MTB) is exceptional in Europe. To the few cases found in the literature the authors add another case well documented by computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance and remarkable for the number of bone lesions and their coexistence with extra-skeletal lesions. The patient was a 28-year old man native of the Ivory Coast in whom the imaging techniques demonstrated no less than 19 different bone lesions plus an abscess of the iliopsoas muscle and a prevertebral pus collection. The diagnosis of MTB was confirmed by the finding of alcohol- and acid-fast bacilli at needle aspiration of the bone lesions and by the presence of folliculo-caseous Ziehl-stained granuloma on bronchial biopsies. Fourteen months after treatment with specific 4-drug therapy, the outcome is favourable. This case is exceptional by the diffusion of bone lesions and by their association with bronchial lesions due to lymph node fistulization. Modern imaging techniques (CT, NMR), clearly demonstrated the bone lesions and their extent.

Clinical features of abdominal tuberculosis.

The clinical features of 81 cases of abdominal tuberculosis (TB) are presented. The peritoneum was involved in 41 patients, the ileocecal area in 17, the anorectal area in 16, and mesenteric glands in 8. There was one case each involving the liver and sigmoid colon. Most patients were young women. The tuberculin reaction was significant in 83% of patients tested, and 54% had evidence of TB elsewhere. Tuberculous peritonitis was more common in native North American Indians and presented as an acute abdomen, abdominal tumor, or cirrhosis. Asians developed the majority of ileocecal and mesenteric lymph node disease and were frequently diagnosed as having Crohn's disease, appendicitis, or cancer. Anorectal cases presented with fistulae or abscesses and usually had concomitant pulmonary TB. The disease was fatal in five patients (6%), four of whom were diagnosed only after death. One noncompliant patient had a relapse. All other patients were cured after receiving treatment.

Tuberculosis in children: a national survey of notifications in England and Wales in 1983. Medical Research Council Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Unit.

A survey of all notifications of tuberculosis in children (aged less than 15 years) in England and Wales in 1983 showed a decline of 35% in the estimated annual number of previously untreated children notified since the previous survey in 1978-9. Of the 452 children in the 1983 survey, 217 (48%) were of white, 79 (17%) of Indian, and 104 (23%) of Pakistani or Bangladeshi ethnic origin. The decline in the number of Indian children notified (46%) was much greater than that for Pakistani and Bangladeshi children (16%). In both surveys the estimated annual notification rate was much higher for the Indian and the Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups (32 and 52/100,000, respectively in 1983) than for the white group (2.4/100,000 in 1983). The mean annual decline in rate between the two surveys was 14% for the Indian, 10% for the Pakistani and Bangladeshi, and 7% for the white children. In both surveys the rates for the children of Indian subcontinent (Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi) ethnic origin born in the United Kingdom were considerably lower than for those born abroad. Of the 452 children in the 1983 survey, 342 (76%) had respiratory disease (including 26 (6%) with a non-respiratory lesion as well). Less than half (134, 45%) had a pulmonary lesion at independent assessment of chest radiographs, a further 115 (38%) had only enlarged intrathoracic nodes. Only 60 (19%) of the children with respiratory disease only had a positive culture from a respiratory specimen, but the culture positivity rate in those tested was 45%. Almost two thirds of the children with non-respiratory disease had lesions of the extrathoracic nodes, nearly all cervical. There were 20 children with tuberculosis meningitis in the 12 months, including 12 (6%) of the 217 white and six (3%) of the 183 children of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin.

Tuberculosis in children: a national survey of notifications in England and Wales in 1983. Medical Research Council Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Unit

A survey of all notifications of tuberculosis in children (aged less than 15 years) in England and Wales in 1983 showed a decline of 35 percent in the estimated annual number if previously untreated children notified since the previous survey in 1978-9. Of the 452 children in 1983 survey, 217 (48 percent) were of white, 79 (17 percent) of Indian, and 104 (23 percent) of Pakistani or Bangladeshi ethnic origin. The decline in the number of Indian children notified (46 percent) was much greater than that for Pakistani and Bangladeshi children(16 percent). In both surveys the estimated annual notification rate was much higher for the Indian and Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups (32 and 52/100000, respectively in 1983) than for the white grop(2.4/100000 in 1983). The mean annual decline in rate between the two surveys was 14 percent for the Indian, 10 percent for the Pakistani and Bangladeshi, and 7 percent for the white children. In both surveys the rates for the children of Indian subcontinent(Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi) ethnic origin born in the United Kingdom were cosiderably lower than those born abroad. Of the 452 children in the 1983 survey, 342 (76 percent) had respiratory disease (including 26.6 percent with a non-respiratory lesion as well). Less than half (134, 45 percent) had a pulmonary lesion at independent assessment of chest radiographs, a further 115 (38 percent) had only enlarged intrathoracic nodes. Only 60 (19 percent) of the children with respiratory disease only had a positive culture from a respiratory specimen, but the culture positivity rate in those tested was 45 percent. Almost two thirds of the children with non-respiratory disease had lesions of the extrathoracic nodes, nearly all cervical. There were 20 children with tuberculosis meningits in the 12 months, including 12 (6 percent) of the 217 white and six (3 percent) of the 183 children of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin. (AU)