Objective/background: The present investigation was undertaken to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles using Limonia acidissima L. and to test their efficacy against the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods: The formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles was confirmed with UV–visible spectrophotometry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows the presence of bio-molecules involved in the stabilization of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The shape and size was confirmed with atomic force microscope, X-ray diffraction, and high resolution transmission electron microscope. These nanoparticles were tested for their effect on the growth of M. tuberculosis through the microplate alamar blue assay technique. Results: The UV–visible data reveal that an absorbance peak at 374nm confirms formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles and they are spherical in shape with sizes between 12nm and 53nm. These nanoparticles control the growth of M. tuberculosis at 12.5μg/mL. Conclusion: Phytosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles is a green, eco-friendly technology because it is inexpensive and pollution free. In the present investigation, based on our results we conclude that the aqueous extract of leaves of L. acidissima can be used for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles control the growth of M. tuberculosis and this was confirmed with the microplate alamar blue method. The potential of biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles may be harnessed as a novel medicine ingredient to combat tuberculosis disease.

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Objective/Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death worldwide, with new threats of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB. Pakistan is the fifth highest among high-burden TB countries and the fourth highest among high-burden drug-resistant-TB countries. Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, and Pakistani youth is the highest population group in Pakistan and second in the world. This study was aimed at assessing the understanding, awareness, and mindset of university students toward TB, MDR TB, and XDR TB in Lahore. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed on 1137 individuals from three major public-sector universities in Lahore, Pakistan. Information regarding their knowledge and attitude toward MDR and XDR TB was gathered using a structured questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Male (531) and female (606) students were asked about different aspects of MDR and XDR TB. Although 80.47% students had good knowledge about simple TB, a very small fraction had awareness and appropriate knowledge about MDR/XDR-TB. Considering TB as a stigma, only 9.3% students disclosed that they had household TB contact. Only 25% students knew about XDR TB. Conclusion: Our results indicated that a small fraction of people knew the exact definition and treatment duration of MDR TB and XDR TB in our society. There is a need to increase the awareness and knowledge status of university students about MDR and XDR TB.

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Objective/Background: Drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB) represent a major threat to global TB control. In low- and middle-income countries, resource constraints make it difficult to identify and monitor cases of resistance using drug susceptibility testing and culture. Molecular assays such as the GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin may prove to be a cost-effective solution to this problem in these settings. The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of GeneXpert in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB since it was introduced into two tertiary hospitals in Ghana in 2013. Methods: A 2-year retrospective audit of clinical cases involving patients who presented with clinically suspected TB or documented TB not improving on standard therapy and had samples sent for GeneXpert testing. Results: GeneXpert identified 169 cases of TB, including 17 cases of rifampicin-resistant TB. Of the seven cases with final culture and drug susceptibility testing results, six demonstrated further drug resistance and five of these were multidrug-resistant TB. Conclusion: These findings call for a scale-up of TB control in Ghana and provide evidence that the expansion of GeneXpert may be an optimal means to improve case finding and guide treatment of drug-resistant TB in this setting.

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Objective/Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a re-emerging disease with the advent of human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS infections. Discovered in 1959, diagnosed by various approaches and treated with antibiotics, the treatment of TB infection still poses public health concerns. Many cases of resistance and cross-resistance are observed. Diagnosis by culture, which is considered as the standard method, takes too long (20–30days) and is not suitable for extrapulmonary TB. QuantiFERON test, which is an indirect immunoassay based on blood, was developed. Much hope was placed in this new approach because it is based on blood, and many research teams have used it. We discuss the results of these different research groups who have used QuantiFERON for diagnosis, prediction of disease progression, or monitoring patients during the treatment of TB. Methods: rticles published in PubMed and documents published on Google were searched with the keywords: diagnosis and TB and QuantiFERON; TB and QuantiFERON and therapeutic monitoring; interferon-γ release assay; disease progression. These articles were read and analyzed. Results: The results were controversial with regards to using the QuantiFERON test for the diagnosis of TB according to the study population (ethnic group, bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine use) and according to the state of the immune system of the people studied (human immunodeficiency virus immunosuppression in cancer medication, hypertension). Also, research findings were controversial with regards to using QuantiFERON for monitoring TB patients on anti-TB medications. Also, the predictive positive value for the progression to TB among immigrant close contacts of both interferon-γ release assays was not better than that of the tuberculin skin test. Conclusion: The QuantiFERON has advantages and limitations depending on the type of population studied. Recommendations are made to improve the sensitivity and specificity and to differentiate between latent and active TB by adding other specific proteins in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen cocktail.

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Objective/background: The nature and frequency of mutations in rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates vary considerably according to geographic locations. However, information regarding specific mutational patterns in Ethiopia remains limited. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was carried out among confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis cases in Southwest Ethiopia. Mutations associated with RIF and INH resistances were studied using GenoType MTBDRplus line probe assay in 112 M. tuberculosis isolates. Culture (MGIT960) and identification tests were performed at the Mycobacteriology Research Center of Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. Results: Mutations conferring resistance to INH, RIF, and multidrug resistance were detected in 36.6% (41/112), 30.4% (34/112), and 27.7% (31/112) of M. tuberculosis isolates respectively. Among 34 RIF-resistant isolates, 82.4% (28/34) had rpoB gene mutations at S531L, 2.9% (1/34) at H526D, and 14.7% (5/34) had mutations only at wild type probes. Of 41 INH-resistant strains, 87.8% (36/41) had mutations in the katG gene at Ser315Thr1 and 9.8% (4/41) had mutations in the inhA gene at C15T. Mutations in inhA promoter region were strongly associated with INH monoresistance. Conclusion: A high rate of drug resistance was commonly observed among failure cases. The most frequent gene mutations associated with the resistance to INH and RIF were observed in the codon 315 of the katG gene and codon 531 of the rpoB gene, respectively. Further studies on mutations in different geographic regions using DNA sequencing techniques are warranted to improve the kit by including more specific mutation probes in the kit.

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Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a common complication of lepromatous leprosy. Some patients unresponsive to conventional, first-line therapeutics develop recurrent, recalcitrant ENL. Here, we report a case of severe refractory ENL that was successfully treated with Etanercept. Biologics may be considered as therapeutic alternatives in management of severe, recalcitrant ENL.

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With the absence of an effective diagnostic tool for leprosy, cases with negative bacteriological index and limited clinical manifestations often pose diagnostic challenges. In this study, we investigated the utility of a novel Mycobacterium leprae specific 112-bp DNA sequence in the promoter region of probable 4-alpha-glucanotransferase (pseudogene, ML1545) for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based diagnosis of leprosy in comparison to that of the RLEP gene. DNA was extracted from slit skin scrapings of 180 newly diagnosed untreated leprosy cases that were classified as per Ridley Jopling classifications and bacteriological index (BI). Primers were designed using Primer Blast 3.0 and PCR was performed with annealing temperatures of 61°C for ML1545 and 58°C for the RLEP gene using conventional gradient PCR. The results indicated a significant increase in PCR positivity of ML1545 when compared to RLEP across the study groups (164/180 [91.11%] were positive for ML1545 whereas 114/180 (63.33%) were positive for RLEP [p < .0001, z = 6.3]). Among 58 leprosy cases with negative BI, 28 (48.28%) were positive for RLEP and 48 (82.76%) were positive for ML1545 (p = .0001, z = 3.8). Of the 42 borderline tuberculoid leprosy cases, 23 (54.76%) were positive for RLEP whereas 37 (88.09%) were positive for ML1545 (p < .0001, z = 3.9). Increase in PCR positivity for ML1545 was also noted in lepromatous leprosy and BI-positive groups. ML1545 can be a potential gene target for PCR-based diagnosis of leprosy especially in cases where clinical manifestations were minimal.

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Objective/background: Guidelines for the manipulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) cultures require a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) infrastructure and accompanying code of conduct. In this study, we aimed to validate and apply detection methods for viable mycobacteria from surfaces in a BSL-3 MTB laboratory. Methods: We evaluated phenotypic (Replicate Organism Detection and Counting [RODAC] plates) and molecular (propidium monoazide [PMA]-based polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) approaches for the detection of viable mycobacteria, as well as the effect of 70% ethanol applied for 5min for disinfection against mycobacteria. For validation of the method, recovery of serial dilutions of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette–Guérin from glass slides was measured. Subsequently, we stamped surfaces in and around the biosafety cabinet (BSC) after different technicians had manipulated high bacterial load suspensions for routine drug-susceptibility testing in a Class II BSC. Results: RODAC stamping could detect as few as three bacteria on slides stamped either 5min or 60min after inoculation. PMA-based PCR, tested in parallel, did not pass validation. Mycobacteria were still detected after 5-min disinfection with ethanol 70%. In the BSL-3, from 201 RODAC-stamped surfaces, MTB was detected in four: three inside a BSC—on a tube cap and on an operator's gloves—and one outside, on an operator's gown. Conclusion: RODAC plates detect mycobacteria at low numbers of microorganisms. In addition, this method allowed us to show that 70% ethanol does not reliably kill mycobacteria when applied for 5min to a dried surface, and that MTB bacilli may arrive outside a Class II BSC during routine practice, although the route could not be documented.

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Objective/Background: A published survey of bacteria in showerhead biofilm samples revealed that Methylobacterium spp. and Mycobacterium spp. seldom coexisted in biofilms. Method: To confirm that information, biofilm samples were collected from household plumbing of Mycobacterium avium patients and Methylobacterium spp. and M. avium numbers were measured by direct colony counts. Results: The results demonstrated that if Methylobacterium spp. were present, Mycobacterium spp. were absent, and the opposite. Conclusion: The data demonstrate that microbial populations in biofilms can influence the presence or absence of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens and, thereby, increase the range of strategies to reduce exposure to waterborne pathogens. Finally, by assessing for the visual presence of methylobacteria as pink pigmentation on showers and shower curtains, homeowners and managers of hospitals and other buildings can quickly determine whether a premise plumbing biofilm sample has mycobacteria with a high degree of assurance.

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Objective/background: According to estimates by the World Health Organization, there were 9.6 million new tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2014: 5.4 million among men, 3.2 million among women, and 1.0 million among children. There were also 1.5 million TB deaths. Although there are potent anti-TB molecules, the misuse of these drugs in addition to inconsistent or partial treatment have led to the development of multidrug-resistant TB and extensively drug-resistant TB. It is established that plants harbor microorganisms, collectively known as endophytes, which also produce metabolites. Exploring the as-yet untapped natural products from the endophytes increases the chances of finding novel and active compounds. The present study was aimed to investigate the antimycobacterial activity of the crude extract and compounds isolated from Penicillium sp. endophyte associated with Garcinia nobilis against Mycobacterium smegmatis. Methods: Liquid culture obtained from the fermentation of Penicillium sp. was extracted using ethylacetate and the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry monitored fractionation of crude extracts yielded six compounds. Their structures were elucidated with spectroscopic analyses including two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, high resolution mass spectrometry by dereplication using Antibase, and by comparison to literature data. All compounds and the crude extract from the liquid medium were evaluated for their antimycobacterial activity against M. smegmatis. Results: In this study, the activity of penialidins A–C (1–3), citromycetin (4), p-hydroxy phenyl glyoxalaldoxime (5), and Brefeldin A (6) were tested against nonpathogenic M. smegmatis. Penialidin C was the most active compound with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 15.6μg/mL. Conclusion: Isolated compounds from Penicillium sp. harbored in G. nobilis exhibited promising antimycobacterial activity against M. smegmatis thus supporting the immensity of the potential of antimycobacterial drug discovery from endophytes from medicinal plants. Penialidin C could further be investigated for antimycobacterial drug development.

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Objective/background: The development of new tools capable of targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-infected cells have potential applications in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis. In Mtb-infected cells, CD1b molecules present Mtb lipids to the immune system (Mtb lipid–CD1b complexes). Because of the lack of CD1b polymorphism, specific Mtb lipid–CD1b complexes could be considered as universal Mtb infection markers. 2-Stearoyl-3-hydroxyphthioceranoyl-2′-sulfate-α-α′-d-trehalose (Ac₂SGL) is specific for Mtb, and is not present in other mycobacterial species. The CD1b–Ac₂SGL complexes are expressed on the surface of human cells infected with Mtb. The aim of this study was to generate ligands capable of binding these CD1b–Ac₂SGL complexes. Methods: A synthetic human scFv phage antibody library was used to select phage-displayed antibody fragments that recognized CD1b–Ac₂SGL using CD1b-transfected THP-1 cells loaded with Ac₂SGL. Results: One clone, D11—a single, light-variable domain (kappa) antibody (dAbκ11)—showed high relative binding to the Ac₂SGL–CD1b complex. Conclusion: A ligand recognizing the Ac₂SGL–CD1b complex was obtained, which is a potential candidate to be further tested for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

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Objective/background: The GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay (Xpert) was endorsed as the initial diagnostic tool in people suspected of human immunodeficiency virus-associated or drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). However, information regarding the performance of Xpert for diagnosing smear-negative TB in high burden settings remains limited. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert and the impact of bleach concentration on the performance of Xpert using smear-negative sputum samples from human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients. Methods: One spot and one morning smear-negative sputum samples per patient were examined using Xpert and culture at the Mycobacteriology Research Center of Jimma University, Ethiopia. The sputum culture on both Löwenstein–Jensen and/or Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube was the gold-standard. Results: Of 185 smear-negative presumptive pulmonary TB cases, 19 (10.3%) had culture-proven TB. The sensitivity of Xpert on spot and morning sputum was similar (63.2%). Testing two specimens per patient insignificantly increased the sensitivity of Xpert. Bleach concentration and pelleting improved the sensitivity of Xpert over unprocessed sputum in paired samples (73.8% vs. 63.2%) without affecting the specificity (95%). Bleach concentration and pelleting allowed an additional seven cases of TB (missed on the first and second direct Xperts) to be detected, five of which were from culture-negative cases. Conclusion: Testing of a single sputum sample by Xpert can reach reasonable sensitivity and results would be available on the same day, avoiding loss of patients and treatment delay. The sensitivity of Xpert was improved after bleach concentration and pelleting, although its added value needs further study on a larger scale.

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Objective/background: Tuberculosis remains an important cause of mortality worldwide. Previous tuberculosis treatment is a strong determinant of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. The study objective was to describe the mutations detected of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex clinical strains screened with GeneXpert isolated from previously treated patients in Côte d'Ivoire. Methods: Sputum collected and decontaminated by the n-acetyl-l-cysteine method was used to perform Ziehl–Neelsen staining, GeneXpert MTB/rifampicin, and culture on Lowenstein–Jensen medium. Drug susceptibility testing (DST) for first-line drugs was performed in a Bactec 960 Automated System. After strain identification by antigen MPT64 detection, DNA extraction, and genotyping with MTBDRplus assay was performed and interpreted. The strains muted in rpoB without a specific protein identified and were sequenced. Results: Mutant sequences were detected in 60 sputum samples with GeneXpert MTB/rifampicin of which 55 were confirmed multi-drug resistant MTB strains after DST. The most frequent mutations responsible for rifampin resistance were detected with MTBDRplus assay for 49 (81.7%) clinical strains, while sequencing was required for 11 (18.3%). H526Q mutation, L533P, and D516V associated respectively with L533P, A532A, and S522L, and were observed for three relapse cases. For these cases, GeneXpert and sequencing results were concordant. Discrepancies between GeneXpert and mycobacteria growth indicator tube-DST for rifampin were observed for three strains, on which D516Y, H526C, and L533P were identified. Conclusion: In the setting of a high prevalence of drug resistance, characterization of the genetic basis of MTB strains resistant to rifampin could be screened first with MTBDRplus.

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Aspergillomas are often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries where the prevalence of TB is high, hemoptysis is often equated with TB, and most patients are diagnosed clinically. This report describes the case of a patient being treated for smear-negative TB who presented with hemoptysis and was found to have an aspergilloma.

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Objective/background: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared tuberculosis (TB) as a global public health emergency and recommended directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) as a standard strategy to control the disease. In Ethiopia the strategy was started in 1992 as a pilot in the Arsi and Bale zone, Oromia Region. The DOTS strategy has been subsequently scaled up in the country and implemented at a national level reaching better coverage, although there are recognizable variations from region to region and district to district. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the DOTS strategy on smear-positive pulmonary TB case findings and their treatment outcomes in the Afar Regional State, Ethiopia, from 2003 to 2012 and from 2002 to 2011, respectively. Methods: A health facility-based retrospective study was conducted. Data were collected and reported on a quarterly basis using the WHO reporting format for TB case findings and their treatment outcomes from all DOTS-implementing health facilities in all zones of the region to the Federal Ministry of Health. Results: A total of 34,894 of TB cases had been registered in the period from 2003 to 2012. Out of these, 11,595 (33.2%) were smear-positive pulmonary TB, 13,859 (39.7%) smear-negative pulmonary TB, and 9838 (28.2%) extrapulmonary TB. The case detection rate (CDR) of smear-positive pulmonary TB had increased from 18.3% to 37.2%, with the average value being 32% (standard deviation = 6.8) from the total TB cases to its peak of 39% in 2008. The treatment success rate (TSR) had an average value of 86.2% from 2002 to 2011 with its peak value being 96.5% in 2007. Moreover, the average values of treatment defaulter and treatment failure rate were 2.9% and 2.7%, respectively. Conclusion: The implementation for the DOTS strategy in the area improved the CDR of smear-positive TB, although it is unacceptably lower than the recommended WHO target of 70%. Additionally, the WHO target of 85% for TSR had already been achieved in the region. However, continued efforts should be in place to increase the CDR and maintain the high TSR registered.

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Objective/background: The prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (pNTM) disease, including Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), varies widely according to geographic region. However, the factors that influence regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence remain unknown. This study was undertaken to examine whether environmental or occupational factors or host traits could influence regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence. Methods: We collected laboratory data on pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) and pNTM from two hospitals in the West Harima area of Japan and five hospitals in Kyoto City, Japan from 2012 to 2013. We estimated microbiological pNTM disease prevalence by multiplying all pTB cases in each area with the ratio of pNTM cases and pTB cases at the survey hospitals in each area. We administered a standardized questionnaire to 52 patients and 120 patients with pulmonary MAC (pMAC) disease at Ako City Hospital and Kyoto University Hospital, respectively. Results: The estimated prevalence of microbiological pNTM disease in the West Harima area (85.4/100,000 population-years) was significantly higher than that observed in Kyoto City (23.6/100,000 population-years; p < .001). According to multiple logistic regression analysis, in Ako City Hospital, primary (activities directly related to natural resources) and secondary industries (construction, mining, and manufacturing primary industry produce; odds ratio [OR] = 4.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.49−14.0; p = .007) and soil exposure (OR = 13.6; 95% CI = 4.94−45.26; p < .001) were associated with pMAC disease. Conclusion: Environmental factors, both industrial structures associated with occupational dust and environmental soil exposure, could influence the regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence.

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Objective/Background: Phagolysosome process in macrophage of leprosy patients' is important in the early phase of eliminating Mycobacterium leprae invasion. This study was to clarify the involvement of Rab5, Rab7, and trytophan aspartate-containing coat protein (TACO) from host macrophage and leprae lipoarabinomannan (Lep-LAM) and phenolic glycolipid-1 (PGL-1) from M. leprae cell wall as the reflection of phagolysosome process in relation to 16 subunit ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) M. leprae as a marker of viability of M. leprae. Methods: Using a cross sectional design study, skin biopsies were obtained from 47 newly diagnosed, untreated leprosy at Dr Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. RNA isolation and complementary DNA synthesis were performed. Samples were divided into two groups: 16S rRNA M. leprae-positive and 16S rRNA M. leprae-negative. The expressions of Rab5, Rab7, TACO, Lep-LAM, and PGL-1 were assessed with an immunohistochemistry technique. Result: Using Mann–Whitney U analysis, a significant difference in the expression profile of Rab5, Rab7, Lep-LAM, and PGL-1 was found (p < .05), but there was no significant difference of TACO between the two groups (p > .05). Spearman analysis revealed that there was a significant correlation between the score of Rab5, Rab7, Lep-LAM, and PGL-1 and the score of 16S rRNA M. leprae (p < .05). Conclusion: In M. leprae infection, Rab5, Rab7, and Lep-LAM play important roles in the failure of phagolysosome process via a membrane trafficking pathway, while PGL-1 plays a role via blocking lysosomal activities. These inventions might be used for the development of an early diagnostic device in the future.

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Tuberculous ventriculitis is an inflammatory infection of the ventricular system of the brain, and is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We herein present the case of an immunocompromised patient with brain tuberculomas who developed ventriculitis during treatment. The patient was successfully treated with a high dose of steroid, long-term antituberculosis drugs, and aggressive supportive care.

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Cutaneous tuberculosis is frequently misleading and challenging, as it mimics a wide differential diagnosis. Here, we present two pediatric cases with chronic multiple ulcerating nodules. Proper history, physical examination, and histopathological analysis are included in the workup of suspected skin tuberculosis. Diagnosis was confirmed by positive culture for mycobacteria.

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Objective/Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, with a disproportionate number of those affected living in slum areas. We assessed the magnitude of pulmonary cases among tuberculosis patients in an urban slum in southeast Nigeria, their demographic and clinical characteristics and any associations with treatment outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients registered under the National TB Programme (NTP) from 1 January to 31 December 2012 was carried out. Data were extracted from TB treatment cards and registers. Results: Of 647 new TB patients registered, 555 (85.8%) were pulmonary TB (PTB) with a mean age of 34.5years, and a male/female ratio of 1.3. Among these, 468 (84.3%) were smear-positive, while 87 (15.7%) were smear-negative cases. Twenty-one (3.8%) were children younger than 15years old. TB/HIV co-infection rate was 16.9%; 57.4% received antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 88.3% received cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT). Female patients were significantly younger compared to male patients (p = 0.003), had higher proportions of smear-negative TB (p = 0.001) and HIV-positive status (p ≤ 0.001). Treatment success rate was 88.5% among smear-positive patients and 79.3% among smear-negative patients. More patients with smear-negative TB were lost to follow up compared with smear-positive TB patients (p < 0.02). HIV co-infection was associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes (OR 0.2, CI 0.1–0.4, p ≤0.001). Among them, those who received ART had better outcomes. Conclusions: The study revealed high proportion of PTB, mostly smear-positive TB with HIV-associated outcomes and underlines the need to ensure early TB diagnosis and improved access to HIV care for HIV co-infected patients in this setting.

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Objective/Background: The characterization of tuberculosis (TB) patients as slow or fast responders post anti-TB treatment has always been a matter of tremendous interest as slow responders are most likely to relapse and/or develop complications. Pulmonary tissue healing as assessed with radiology is the only available tool for tissue recovery but is not predictive at intake. The objective of the current study was to assess biomarkers associated with fast and slow recovery in TB patients at recruitment. Methods: Pulmonary TB patients (N = 15) were assessed for radiological recovery serially in parallel with clinical signs and symptoms, hematological parameters, and plasma cytokines at 0months, 6months, 12months, and 24months. On the basis of differential radiological healing, patients were characterized into slow (>12 months), intermediate (<12months), and fast (<6months) responders. Results: Baseline plasma cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, -4, -6, -10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ) were determined using cytometric bead array. IL-2 and -4 were able to accurately differentiate slow and fast responders into two distinct clusters using hierarchal clustering analysis. Compared with fast responders, slow responders showed significantly high IL-2 and -4 at baseline (p = .001 Mann–Whitney U test). Conclusion: In-depth analysis of cytokines and its association with radiological recovery in TB patients may be useful in monitoring TB patients postchemotherapy for both clinicians and TB control program.

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The incidence and prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection is increasing worldwide arousing concerns that NTM infection may become a serious health challenge. We recently observed a significant increase of NTM-positive sputa samples from patients referred to respiratory disease wards of a large tertiary hospital in Rome. A survey to identify possible NTM contamination revealed a massive presence of NTM in the hospital water supply network. After decontamination procedures, NTM presence dropped both in water pipelines and sputa samples. We believe that this observation should encourage water network surveys for NTM contamination and prompt decontamination procedures should be considered to reduce this potential source of infection.

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