Angiogenic activity of sera from pulmonary tuberculosis patients in relation to IL-12p40 and TNFα serum levels.

The role of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB) is not clear. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of sera from TB patients on angiogenesis induced by different subsets of normal human mononuclear cells (MNC) in relation to IL-12p40 and TNFα serum levels. Serum samples from 36 pulmonary TB patients and from 22 healthy volunteers were evaluated. To assess angiogenic reaction the leukocytes-induced angiogenesis test according to Sidky and Auerbach was performed. IL-12p40 and TNFα serum levels were evaluated by ELISA. Sera from TB patients significantly stimulated angiogenic activity of MNC compared to sera from healthy donors and PBS (p < 0.001). The number of microvessels formed after injection of lymphocytes preincubated with sera from TB patients was significantly lower compared to the number of microvessels created after injection of MNC preincubated with the same sera (p < 0.016). However, the number of microvessels created after the injection of lymphocytes preincubated with sera from healthy donors or with PBS alone was significantly higher (p < 0.017). The mean levels of IL-12p40 and TNFα were significantly elevated in sera from TB patients compared to healthy donors. We observed a correlation between angiogenic activity of sera from TB patients and IL-12p40 and TNFα serum levels (p < 0.01). Sera from TB patients constitute a source of mediators that participate in angiogenesis and prime monocytes for production of proangiogenic factors. The main proangiogenic effect of TB patients' sera is mediated by macrophages/monocytes. TNFα and IL-12p40 may indirectly stimulate angiogenesis in TB.

[Tuberculosis of shoulder bone]. / Gruzlica kosci ramiennej.

We present a case of 39-year old man in whom after one year of corticotherapy due to suspicion of lung sarcoidosis, pathologic changes in left shoulder bone were diagnosed. Bone biopsy was carried out with subsequent development of skin fistula with matter drainage. Based on histological examination of bone specimen and bacteriological tests - tuberculosis was diagnosed. Patient received typical antituberculous therapy for 6 months resulting in healing of the fistula. After next 6 months new fistula developed within the muscles of the left arm. Examination by magnetic resonance revealed changes suggestive of tuberculosis of the left shoulder bone with the presence of two fistulas and abscess in the muscle. The patient received another course of antituberculous treatment and the content of fistula was removed. After 8 months of therapy fistula was healed while changes in shoulder bone regressed only partially, so the therapy was prolonged until 12 month.

[Granuloma of epididymis of patient treated with intravesical BCG therapy--complication of BCG therapy or tuberculosis?]. / Ziarnina stwierdzona w najadrzu chorego leczonego dopecherzowymiwlewkami BCG--powiklanie leczenia BCG czy gruzlica?

We present a case of 72-year old man treated from 2007 for superficial bladder carcinoma. Patient had undergone surgical intervention for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, followed by BCG therapy. Two years later enlarged right testis and epididymis was observed. A resection was carried out. Histologic examination revealed in epididymis cauda granulomatous infiltration with eosinophilic necrosis. No bacteriologic tests of resected material were performed. Suspecting BCG infection or TB patient was referred to the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Warsaw for pulmonary evaluation. Chest X-ray, chest CT scan and bronchoscopy were performed but beside revealing scars in bronchi suggesting a history of TB did not contribute to the diagnosis. Tuberculin skin test was 21 mm. Diagnosis was determinated by spoligotyping which found bacille of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in specimen preserved in paraffin block. Tuberculosis of right epididymis and past pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed. Patient was treated with rifampin, isoniazid and pirazynamide.

[Interferon-gamma assays T-SPOT.TB for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection]. / Interferonowy test T-SPOT.TB w diagnostyce latentnego zakazeniapratkiem gruzlicy.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is currently based on the century-old tuberculin skin test (TST). However a positive reaction can result from infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, BCG vaccination or cross-reaction with nontuberculous mycobacteria. T-SPOT.TB assay is a new test to diagnose tuberculosis infection by measuring in vitro T-cell interferon gamma release in response to two Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens: ESAT-6 and CFP 10. MATERIAL AND METHODS: T-SPOT.TB assay has been performed on whole blood samples (n = 137) from March to September 2010. A tuberculin skin test result was available for 96 of participants. A positive TST result was considered if the induration was 10 mm or more. RESULTS: Of the 137 patients tested, T-SPOT.TB assay results were positive in 37 (27%), negative in 98 (71.5%) and indeterminate in only 2 (1.5%) persons. We analyzed T-SPOT.TB and TST results in the 96 patients for whom both test were available. Concordance between T-SPOT.TB and TST results (10 mm skin reaction interpreted as positive) was 79%. Fifteen (15.6%) patients had a positive TST result and a negative T-SPOT.TB and 5 (5.2%) patients had a negative TST result and a positive T-SPOT.TB. We observed good correlation between positive T-SPOT.TB results and the size of induration ≥ 15 mm in TST results. CONCLUSIONS: T-SPOT.TB offers a more accurate approach than TST for identification tuberculosis infection. The study shows that the test T-SPOT.TB is a good diagnostic tool in identifying persons with tuberculosis infection. For full confirmation of this assessment, it is necessary to examine more cases.

[Humoral immune response against mycobacterial antigens in patients with tuberculosis and mycobacterial infections other than tuberculosis]. / Odpowiedz humoralna na antygeny pratka u chorych na gruzlice i mikobakteriozy.

The aim of the study was to compare humoral immune response against various mycobacterial antigens in TB and MOTT vs healthy control group. 350 serum samples from TB patients, 20 samples from MOTT patients and 58 samples from healthy donors were examined. ELISA detecting IgG, IgA and IgM against antigens: 38 kDa and 16 kDa, 38kDa and lipoarabinomannan, and A-60 were used. Mean IgG level was higher in TB compared to healthy controls (p<0,001). Mean IgG level against 38kDa and 38 + 16 kDa mycobacterial antigens was higher in TB than in MOTT group. Mean level of the IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against LAM was higher in MOTT compared to TB patients. In all subgroups person-to-person heterogeneity of antigen recognition was observed. Humoral immune response to recombinant mycobacterial antigens significantly differs in TB and MOTT patients.

TB manual: National Tuberculosis Programme guidelines

This manual for tuberculosis, although written for Poland, aims at being a generic manual. It provides guidelines for tuberculosis control, which can be adapted and made more specific if need be. The manual is written against the background of tuberculosis control in the former socialist countries with a vertically organized and specialized system. The manual for tuberculosis gives information about the disease and the strategy and organization of a national control programme. It deals with case definitions and treatment categories. Although the manual is based on the WHO strategy for tuberculosis control, following the five key elements as defined and illustrated by the descriptions of diagnosis, treatment and recording and reporting system, it gives more information than just that. There is a chapter on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis in children, often a neglected aspect of tuberculosis control. It also deals with difficult clinical management problems, such as the adverse effects of treatment, the management of drug-resistant tuberculosis and the combination of TB/HIV. Finally, the management of tuberculosis in groups at risk and health education are discussed. It is expected that this manual will be of help to all NTPs which are changing their control strategies