ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) pulmonary disease and pulmonary tuberculosis, as well as the bacterial distribution of NTM pulmonary disease. Methods The bacterial distribution and clinical characteristics of 104 patients with NTM lung disease hospitalized in Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital from May 2017 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, as well as the clinicplal characteristics of 155 patients with tuberculosis hospitalized during the same period. Results The age of NTM lung disease group [(60±15) years] was higher than that of tuberculosis group [(55±19) years]. There were statistically significant differences in basic diseases (such as malignant tumor, type 2 diabetes, old tuberculosis, bronchiectasis), laboratory examination (such as blood routine examination, albumin) and chest imaging characteristics between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in clinical symptoms (such as cough, sputum or fever) (P>0.05). The common underlying diseases of NTM lung disease were malignant tumor (29%), bronchiectasis (21%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (19%), etc. The common clinical symptoms of NTM lung disease included cough, sputum, fever, hemoptysis, chest tightness and shortness of breath, and other non-specific respiratory symptoms. The common manifestations of NTM lung disease on chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) included patchy images (82%), mediastinal lymph node enalargement (35%), pleural thickening (31%), pleural effusion (26%) and other signs. The isolates of NTM included Mycobacterium avium (50%), Mycobacterium intracellulare (21%), Mycobacterium chelonae/abscessus (14%), Mycobacterium fortuitum (5%), Mycobacterium gordonae (4%), Mycobacterium gilvum (3%), and Mycobacterium smegmatis (3%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age (OR=1.027) was a risk factor for NTM lung disease. Conclusions The clinical manifestations of NTM lung disease and tuberculosis are similar and difficult to distinguish. For male patients over 60 years old with malignant tumor, old tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and other basic diseases, and the chest HRCT findings are mainly bronchiectasis, NTM lung disease should be actively excluded. There is little difference in clinical manifestations between different strains of NTM lung disease, and the treatment cycle of NTM lung disease is long and easy to be interrupted, requiring enhanced follow-up.
Objective To access the effectiveness and safety of levofloxacin in controlling multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Methods The electronic searches in databases of PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM and VIP, handsearches and other searches were conducted from the date of their establishment to April 2011 for collecting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on levofloxacin treating MDR-TB. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to the inclusive and exclusive criteria, extracted the data, assessed the quality of the included studies by adopting the Jadad scale, and performed Meta-analysis by using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 31 RCTs involving 2836 cases were included. The results of meta-analysis showed: a) Compared with the placebo group, levofloxacin could increase the sputum negative conversion rate after 3-month taking and at the end of the treatment period; b) Compared with the ofloxacin group, levofloxacin could increase the sputum negative conversion rate after 3 months and at the end of the treatment period; c) levofloxacin replacing either ethambutol or streptomycin could increase the sputum negative conversion rate after 3 months and at the end of the treatment period; d) Compared with the levofloxacin group, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin could increase the sputum negative conversion rate after 3 months and at the end of the treatment period; e) There was no significant difference in the adverse reaction rate between each of the medication regimens (P=0.19). Conclusion Levofloxacin is more effective for MDR-TB than ofloxacin, ethambutol and streptomycin, but it is inferior to gatifloxacin or moxifloxacin. Its adverse reaction rate is equivalent to other medicines’.
Objective To study the effect of comprehensive nursing on the treatment compliance and depression of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with depression. Methods Fifty-seven patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with depression treated between May 2012 and June 2014 were randomly divided into study group (n=30) which was given comprehensive nursing, and control group (n=27) which accepted routine nursing. The scores of depression, treatment compliance and clinical treatment outcome were compared between the two groups. Results The scores of Hamilton Depression Scale were respectively 19.18±2.36, 18.65±2.61, 17.43±1.78 and 16.57±2.05 at the time of 3, 4, 5 and 6 months after nursing intervention, while the same scores of the control group were 22.05±3.03, 21.88±2.85, 20.96±2.06 and 20.04±1.39. The sputum negative conversion rates in the study group at those time periods were respectively 66.7%, 76.7%, 80.0% and 86.7%, while the rates in the control group were 37.0%, 44.4%, 51.6% and 63.0%. The CT lung lesions absorption rates in the study group were 43.3%, 56.7%, 63.3% and 76.7%, while the rates in the control group were 18.5%, 25.9%, 35.3% and 40.7%. The above indicators between the two groups were all statistically significant (P<0.05). The compliance of treatment in the study group was 90.0%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (63.0%) (P<0.05). Conclusion Comprehensive nursing can help to improve negative emotion, enhance treatment compliance and clinical treatment effect, and promote the early recovery of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis combined with depression.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based treatment for a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis combined with tuberculous meningitis and tuberculous pericarditis. Methods According to the principles of evidencebased clinical practice, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2008), Ovid-Reviews (1991 to 2008), MEDLINE (1950 to 2008), and http://www.guideline.org. to identify the best evidence for treating a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis combined with tuberculous meningitis and tuberculous pericarditis. Results Nine guidelines, 2 systematic reviews, and 11 randomized controlled trials were included. The evidence showed that corticosteroids could help reduce the risk of death and disabling residual neurological deficiencies in patients with tuberculous meningitis. After adjusting for age and gender, the overall death rate of patients with tuberculous pericarditis was significantly reduced by prednisolone (P=0.044), as well as the risk of death from pericarditis (P=0.004). But for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, there was still a controversy about the use of corticosteroids. Given the evidence, the patient’s clinical conditions, and his preferences, dexamethasone was used for the boy in question. After 7 weeks of treatment, his cerebrospinal fluid returned to normal and pericardial effusion disappeared. Conclusion Corticosteroids should be recommended in HIV-negative people with tuberculous meningitis or/and tuberculous pericarditis. The difference in the effectiveness of various corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, or methylprednisolone and the optimal duration of corticosteroid therapy is still unknown.
Basing on development of medical model, new national diagnostic standard is interpreted according to three aspects: classification, diagnostic standard, and diagnostic contents. Tracheobronchial tuberculosis and tuberculous pleurisy are added into the classification. The value of molecular and pathological techniques for diagnosis of the pulmonary tuberculosis is emphasized. The status of drug-resistance is included in the diagnostic content. Two opinions are suggested: some practical methods such as diagnostic chemotherapy are indicated in some grassroots areas, while new molecular techniques for detection of DNA/RNA of mycobacteria and resistant mutation are encouraged in some suitable institutions.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the expression level and diagnostic value of lnc-PAPSS2-2 (lnc-PA) in peripheral blood of active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients.MethodsFrom January 2011 to January 2018, 798 patients with active PTB and 1 650 healthy people undergoing health examination in West China Hospital of Sichuan University and their electronic health records (EHR) were collected. Peripheral blood lnc-PA levels were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The data of lnc-PA and EHR were modeled using nomogram, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of lnc-PA, EHR and the combination of lnc-PA and EHR were compared to evaluate the diagnostic value of lnc-PA for active PTB.ResultsThe level of lnc-PA was lower in active PTB patients than that in healthy controls (P<0.001). The areas under ROC curve of lnc-PA, EHR and their combination were 0.619, 0.962, and 0.964 in the training set and 0.626, 0.950, and 0.950 in the validation set, respectively.ConclusionThe diagnostic ability of lnc-PA is poor and that of EHR is good, which indicates that the clinical value of lnc-PA as a biomarker of active PTB remains to be further explored.
ObjectiveTo explore the single locus mutation that related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection by means of genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Chinese Han patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).MethodsA total of 946 patients with pulmonary TB enrolled between March 2013 and March 2018 were genotyped by Illumina Human Omni Express gene chip. After quality control, 389 972 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 703 patients with single TB infection and 53 patients with TB-HBV co-infection were included in the follow-up association analysis.ResultsThe SNP with the strongest statistical correlation signal was rs118122819 (P=2.923×10−12, odds ratio=7.933) located on chromosome 8p23.1. Other potential susceptibility genes included CDH4 (rs73309833), MARCH1 (rs3797020), and DNER (rs13393112), etc. In addition, a strong linkage imbalance between rs118122819 and rs4840365 (D’=0.88, r2=0.76) was found, while rs4840365 was located in the MFHAS1 gene region.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence for the presence of susceptibility gene locus for HBV co-infection in pulmonary TB patients, and provides important clues for the mechanism research, disease prevention, and treatment of co-infection. But these associations must be replicated and validated in larger studies.
Objective To investigate and analyze the epidemic characteristics and factors of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) to provide foundation and make prevention and treatment policy. Methods Statistical analysis was conducted to analyze the current existing PTB prevention and control data in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhushan County and corresponding prevention and treatment policy was proposed. Results Since 1997 when PTB was included into B infectious diseases in Zhushan County, 4 431 cases of PTB had been reported by the end of 2009. Annual reported incidence rate was 74.73 per 100 000 and the disease was found in 17 towns. All seasons witnessed the incidence but winter and summer had more sufferer. The youngest patient was 4 months whereas the oldest was 86 years old. The majority of the patients were from 20 to 59 years old, peasants were the main patients, and the incidence of male was higher than that of female. The use of chemotherapy resulted in a significant decline of PTB death rate. Poor immunity of elder group, population flow caused by poverty, low detection rate of patients and AIDS were the major causes to PTB epidemic. A lack of prevention and treatment in the grassroots hospital and difficulty to fully implement the Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) strategy in remote areas were also bottlenecks to PTB control process. Conclusion The followings should be performed to improve the quality of DOTS strategy implementation: strengthen the government’s commitment, provide policy and funding safeguard, conduct health education and health promotion widely, reinforce management according to the law, fully implement the DOTS strategy, and fortify the prevention and control construction.
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene and the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) more comprehensively and objectively through meta-analysis.MethodsWe searched all available articles published before June 13th, 2019 in main Chinese and English databases systematically and comprehensively, including PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and CQVIP databases. The literature was screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria set in advance. In addition, the basic characteristics and data of the included literature were recorded according to a pre-made data collection form. Statistical analyses were performed using the Stata 15.0 software.ResultsA total of 17 eligible original articles were included in the study eventually. Furthermore, allele and genotype data of the 4 most widely studied SNPs (rs4986790, rs4986791, rs10759932, and rs11536889) in the TLR4 gene were extracted. And their allelic model, dominant model, recessive model, homozygous model, and heterozygous model were separately analyzed by meta-analysis. The results showed that the C allele of rs10759932 increased the risk of PTB [odd ratio (OR)=1.144, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.043, 1.254), P=0.004]. Compared with the TT genotype, the CC+CT genotype and the CT genotype alone of rs10759932 also increased the risk of PTB [OR=1.218, 95%CI (1.084, 1.369), P=0.001; OR=1.227, 95%CI (1.085, 1.387), P=0.001]. Nevertheless, there was no statistical correlation between the other three SNPs (rs4986790, rs4986791 and rs11536889) and the susceptibility to PTB (P>0.05).ConclusionThe allele model, dominant model (CC+CT vs. TT), and heterozygous model (CT vs. TT) of rs10759932 located on the TLR4 gene are closely related to the risk of PTB.
Objective To investigate diagnosis and treatment strategies of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis （TB） complicated by Aspergillus infection. Methods Clinical data of 38 patients with pulmonary TB complicated by Aspergillus infection who underwent surgical treatment from January 2008 to December 2010 in Chengdu Infectious Disease Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 23 male patients and 15 female patients with their average age of 37.8 （23-59） years. Preoperatively，all the patients received regular anti-TB treatment for more than 2 weeks，and patients with definite Aspergillus infection received anti-Aspergillus therapy for more than 3 days with consultation of infectious disease physicians. After above treatment，26 patients underwent lobectomy，1 patient underwent right pneumonectomy，and 11 patients underwent left pneumonectomy. All the patients were followed up at the outpatient department after discharge. They were evaluated every 2 weeks in the first 3 months，every 1 month after 3 months，and every 6 months after 1 year. During follow-up，they received acid-fast bacillus smear and sputum culture to check Aspergillus，as well as CT chest scan. Results All the patients successfully received surgical resection of the pulmonary lesion without perioperative death or severe complication. Postoperative pathology examination confirmed pulmonary TB with Aspergillosis infection in all the 38 patients，whose basic diseases included TB cavity in 17 patients，TB-destroyed lung in 12 patients，and post-TB bronchiectasis in 9 patients. All the patients were followed up after discharge for 1.5-4.5 years. During follow-up，they received regular anti-TB therapy for adequate duration in addition to antifungal medications such as voriconazole. None of the 38 patients had recurrence of Aspergillus infection or pulmonary TB. One patient had hemoptysis which was controlled after proper treatment during follow-up. Conclusion Missed diagnosis rate of pulmonary TB complicated by Aspergillus infection is high. Surgical resection of the pulmonary lesion and postoperative medication treatment are the most effective treatment strategies for patients with pulmonary TB complicated by Aspergillus infection.