Caracterización de la tuberculosis en pacientes de la provincia Guantánamo, Cuba / Characterization of tuberculosis in patients from the Guantánamo province, Cuba

RESUMEN Introducción: La lucha contra la tuberculosis es una responsabilidad social y profesional que requiere de su caracterización, la que no se ha realizado en Guantánamo en la última década. Objetivo: Caracterizar la tuberculosis en pacientes de la provincia Guantánamo durante el periodo comprendido entre 2012 y 2019. Método: El universo se constituyó por el total de pacientes diagnosticados (n=136). Se estudiaron las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, localización de la enfermedad, resultados de la baciloscopía, categoría al egreso y grupos de riesgo de tuberculosis. La información se obtuvo mediante los registros de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria cada año, y las encuestas epidemiológicas de los controles de focos realizados, y se resumió en números absolutos y porcentajes. Resultados: En el 80,1 % de los casos la tuberculosis se localizó en los pulmones, y fue más común el diagnóstico de pacientes con baciloscopía positiva (63,2 %). El 76,7 % de los pacientes con baciloscopía positiva fueron masculinos. Los grupos de riesgos para tuberculosis más usuales fueron: fumadores (26,4 %), inmunodeprimidos (21,6 %) y el alcoholismo (19,1 %). Conclusiones: En la provincia Guantánamo prevalece la tuberculosis de localización pulmonar y los pacientes con bacteriología positiva. Los afectados sobre todo son hombres, tienen edad entre 45 a 54 años y son de reciente diagnóstico. La enfermedad incide más en aquellos con antecedente de ser fumadores, inmunodeprimidos y los alcohólicos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The fight against tuberculosis is a social and professional responsibility, which requires its characterization, which has not been carried out in Guantánamo in the last decade. Objective: To characterize tuberculosis in patients in the Guantánamo province during the period between 2012 and 2019. Method: The universe was made up of the total number of diagnosed patients (n = 136). The following variables were studied: age, sex, location of the disease, smear results, category at discharge, and tuberculosis risk groups. The information was obtained through the notifiable disease registries for each year and the epidemiological surveys of the outbreak controls carried out, and was summarized in absolute numbers and percentages. Results: In 80.1% of cases, tuberculosis is in the lungs, and the diagnosis of patients with positive smear microscopy (63.2%) is more common. 76.7% of smear-positive patients are male. The most common risk groups for tuberculosis are: smokers (26.4%), immunosuppressed (21.6%) and alcoholism (19.1%). Conclusions: In Guantánamo province, pulmonary localization tuberculosis and patients with positive bacteriology prevail. Those affected are mainly men, they are between 45 and 54 years old and have recently been diagnosed. The disease affects more in those with a history of being smokers, immunosuppressed and alcoholics.

Clinical and epidemiological features of tuberculosis in children and adolescents / Características clínicas e epidemiológicas da tuberculose em crianças e adolescentes / Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la tuberculosis en niños y adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the clinical and epidemiological features of tuberculosis in children and adolescents in an infectious diseases reference hospital. Method: A documental and retrospective study was carried out with 88 medical files in an infectious diseases reference hospital in the state of Ceará. Data were analyzed by univariate, bivariate and multivariate approaches. Results: It was found that, depending on the tuberculosis type, its manifestations may vary. The logistic regression model considered only pulmonary tuberculosis due to a number of observations and included female sex (95% CI: 1.4-16.3), weight loss (95% CI: 1.8-26.3), bacilloscopic screening (95% CI: 1.5-16.6) and sputum collected (95% CI: 1.4-19.4) as possible predictors. Conclusions: Children and adolescents present different manifestations of the disease depending on the tuberculosis type that affects them. Knowing the most common features of each condition could enhance early diagnosis and, consequently, result in adequate treatment and care.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as características clínicas e epidemiológicas da tuberculose em crianças e adolescentes de um hospital de referência em doenças infecciosas. Método: Foi realizado um estudo documental e retrospectivo com 88 prontuários médicos em um hospital de referência em doenças infecciosas no estado do Ceará. Os dados foram analisados através das abordagens univariada, bivariada e multivariada. Resultados: Verificou-se que, dependendo do tipo de tuberculose, suas manifestações podem variar. O modelo de regressão logística considerou apenas a tuberculose pulmonar devido a um número de observações e incluiu sexo feminino (IC 95%: 1,4-16,3), perda de peso (IC 95%: 1,8-26,3) e baciloscopia (IC 95%: 1,5-16,6) com coleta de escarro (IC95%: 1,4-19,4) como possíveis preditores. Conclusão: Crianças e adolescentes apresentam diferentes manifestações da doença dependendo do tipo de tuberculose que os afeta. Conhecer as características mais comuns de cada condição pode melhorar o diagnóstico precoce e, consequentemente, levar a tratamentos e cuidados adequados.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la tuberculosis en niños y adolescentes en un hospital de referencia de enfermedades infecciosas. Método: Se realizó un estudio documental y retrospectivo con 88 archivos médicos en un hospital de referencia de enfermedades infecciosas en el estado de Ceará. Se analizaron los datos por enfoques univariados, bivariados y multivariados. Resultados: Se encontró que, dependiendo del tipo de tuberculosis, sus manifestaciones pueden variar. El modelo de regresión logística consideró solo la tuberculosis pulmonar, debido a varias, observaciones e incluyó el género femenino (IC 95%: 1,4-16,3), la pérdida de peso (IC 95%: 1,8-26,3), la revisión baciloscopia (95 % CI: 1,5-16,6) y el esputo recolectado (95% CI: 1,4-19,4) como posibles predictores. Conclusiones: Los niños y adolescentes presentan diferentes manifestaciones de la enfermedad en función del tipo de tuberculosis que los afecta. Conocer las características más comunes de cada afección podría mejorar el diagnóstico temprano y, en consecuencia, resultar en un tratamiento y atención adecuados.

Análisis de situación de tuberculosis en el Área Programática del Hospital General de Agudos Parmenio Piñero: Año 2017 / Analysis of tuberculosis situation at Programmatic Area of the Acute General Hospital Parmenio Piñero: 2017

El área programática del Hospital Parmenio Piñero (AP-HGAPP) se localiza en el sur de la ciudad, e incluye parte de las comunas 7, 8, 9, 10, 6 y 4. Según datos provenientes del Censo 20105, se registraron 324.179 personas viviendo en este territorio, con un porcentaje de población con Necesidades Básicas Insatisfechas de 10,4% (superior al valor promedio de CABA de 7%). Se presenta en este informe un análisis de situación de tuberculosis, tomando como eje el territorio y la población a cargo del hospital y sus centros de salud y acción comunitaria. (AU)

Análisis de letalidad en pacientes con diagnóstico de tuberculosis en un centro de alta complejidad en Cali, Colombia / Lethality analysis in patients with tuberculosis diagnosis in a high complexity hospital in Cali, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: En el 2016 la tuberculosis (TBC) fue considerada la novena causa de muerte en el mundo y la primera por un único agente infeccioso, con aproximadamente 1,6 millones de muertes y una letalidad de 15%. Más de 95% de los casos de mortalidad mundial se presentan en países en vía de desarrollo como Colombia. Objetivo: Describir las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes que fallecieron durante el tratamiento antituberculoso en un centro de alta complejidad en Cali, Colombia. Métodos: Estudio analítico de cohorte retrospectiva, realizado entre 2007-2016 en la Fundación Valle del Lili. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de TBC con seguimiento clínico, que fallecirron por cualquier causa. Resultados: De 787 pacientes diagnosticados con TBC, murieron 69 (8,8%). La mayoría de los fallecidos (59%) fueron hombres, edad promedio de 51,9 años. Hubo retraso diagnóstico en 51% de los pacientes y 75% presentaron TBC pulmonar. El 64% murió en los primeros 30 días posteriores al diagnóstico de TBC y 61% de las muertes fueron atribuibles a TBC. Co-infección TBC e infección por VIH se presentó en 23% de los casos. La edad avanzada (> 65 años) se asoció a muerte en menos de 30 días desde el diagnóstico de TBC (p < 0,001). Discusión: La letalidad encontrada es superior a lo esperado (8,8%); la mayoría de los pacientes fallecidos presentó co-morbilidades graves. La edad avanzada se asoció a muerte temprana. El principal mecanismo fisiopatológico de muerte por TBC en este estudio fue el choque séptico secundario a neumonía grave tuberculosa.

Background In 2016 tuberculosis (TB) was considered the ninth leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of a single infectious agent, with approximately 1.6 million deaths worldwide and a lethality of 15%. Over 95% of cases and deaths are in developing countries like Colombia. Aim: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients who died during TB treatment in a high complexity hospital in Cali, Colombia. Methods: We conducted an analytic retrospective cohort during 2007-2016 in Fundación Valle del Lili. We included patients with TB diagnosis, who died during TB treatment. Results: From 787 patients with TB, 69 died (8.8%). Fifty nine percent were male, the average of age was 51.9 years. There was diagnosis delay in 51% of the patients and 74% presented pulmonary TB. Sixty four percent 64 died in the first 30 days of the TB diagnosis and 61% of the deaths were attributable to TB. Twenty five percent of patients had TB/HIV coinfection. Elderly patients (> 65 years old) were associated with death in the first 30 days of TB diagnosis (p < 0,001). Discussion: The lethality found in this study was higher than expected (8.8%), the majority of patients had serious comorbidities. Elderly patients were associated with early death. The main pathophysiological mechanism of death was septic shock caused by severe tuberculous pneumonia.

Manifestaciones tomográficas extrapulmonares de TBCy algunas de sus complicaciones asociadas / Extrapulmonary TB Tomography and some Associated Complications

La Tuberculosis (TBC) es una patología infecto-contagiosa de alta morbimortalidad en Chile y en el mundo, siendo la segunda causa de muerte por cuestión infecciosa y es considerada una patología de alta relevancia a nivel de salud pública. Es causada por una bacteria de alta virulencia y contagio llamada mycobacterium tuberculosis. En la actualidad contamos con protocolos de detección y tratamiento muy eficaces, que la convierten en una enfermedad prevenible y curable. El diagnóstico se realiza con estudios bacteriológicos específicos frente a una sospecha clínica-epidemiológica sugerente. Sin embargo, el uso de imágenes forma parte casi obligatoria de su estudio y control. Debido a que el órgano diana de la TBC es el pulmón, es habitual utilizar como apoyo diagnóstico una radiografía de tórax, la cual es útil, en caso de TBC pulmonar, al presentar hallazgos característicos y orientadores para su diagnóstico. Es importante destacar que el mycobacterium tuberculosis tiene alto potencial de diseminación por contigüidad, vía linfática y/o hematógena, siendo esa última vía la causante de la mayoría de las TBC extrapulmonares, las cuales se presentan en un 20% de pacientes inmunocompetentes y hasta en un 60% de inmunocomprometidos. La principal localización de una TBC extrapulmonar es a nivel pleural, seguida del compromiso ganglionar, urogenital y osteoarticular, siendo el resto de las localizaciones muy infrecuentes. Para esos casos la tomografía computada (TC) es el estudio por imágenes de elección para el diagnóstico y control, además de ser una herramienta muy útil para la detección de complicaciones.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of high morbility and mortality in Chile and in the world. It is the second cause of death due to infectious causes in the world, and is considered of high relevance to public health. TB is caused by a highly pathogenic and virulent bacterium denominated mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nowadays, there are effective protocols for detection and treatment of this disease, which make it preventable and curable. Diagnosis is reached by specific bacteriological studies in the presence of a clinical epidemiological suspicion. Nevertheless, imagining methods are almost an obligatory part of tuberculosis study and control. Since the lung is the target organ of TB, chest X-ray is commonly used as a support for diagnosis, which is very useful in case of pulmonary TB because it provides characteristic findings to guide diagnosis. It is important to highlight that the mycobacterium tuberculosis has a high potential for dissemination by contiguity, via lymphatic and/or haematogenous, the latter being the cause of the majority of extrapulmonary TB, which are presented in 20% of immunocompetent patients and by up to 60% of immunocompromised. The main site of extrapulmonary TB is into the pleural space, followed by the lymph node, urogenital and osteoarticular involvement, the remainder being infrequent localizations. In these cases, a computed tomography (CT) study based on the selection of images, is the tool used for diagnosis and control, which is also useful for the detection of complications.

Tuberculosis en Área Programática del Hospital General de Agudos Parmenio Piñero: 1° semestre 2017 / Tuberculosis in the Programmatic Area of the Acute General Hospital Parmenio Piñero: First half 2017

La tuberculosis (TBC) es una enfermedad infecciosa que compromete habitualmente el sistema respiratorio, y con menor frecuencia otros aparatos. A nivel mundial representa la segunda causa infecciosa de muerte después del HIV, y en Argentina se notificaron 429 muertes en 2015. La ciudad de Buenos Aires presenta la tercera tasa de notificación de TBC más alta del país, luego de Salta y Jujuy, y dentro de CABA las comunas con mayor incidencia de TBC son la 7 y la 8, aportando una porción significativa del territorio total del área programática del Hospital Piñero. El grupo colaborativo de tuberculosis del Hospital Piñero y su área programática es un colectivo multidisciplinario de profesionales que se desempeñan en el hospital o en centros de salud, compuesto por médicos, enfermeros, trabajadoras sociales, bioquímicos, farmacéuticos y psicólogos. El trabajo en red posibilita compartir objetivos comunes, intercambiar recursos, información y experiencias de trabajo, con la finalidad de articular el proceso de atención y cuidado de las personas con tuberculosis y sus contactos familiares e institucionales. Se analizaron casos de tuberculosis (todas las localizaciones, pulmonar, extrapulmonar o ambas), confirmada bacteriológicamente o no, que iniciaron tratamiento en el Hospital Piñero y/o CeSAC del AP, o aquellos con residencia en el AP del Hospital Piñero que fueron asistidos en otras instituciones. Las fuentes de información utilizadas fueron el SNVS (Módulo C2 para datos 2015-2016; Módulo TBC para datos 2017). Para la realización de los mapas se utilizó además datos suministrados por la Gerencia Operativa de Epidemiología, que corresponden a individuos residentes en el AP del Piñero que fueron asistidos en otras instituciones. (AU)

Elaboração e validação semântica de um instrumento de avaliação da transferência do tratamento diretamente observado como política de controle da tuberculose / Design and semantic validation of a new instrument to assess policy transfer of directly observed treatment for tuberculosis

OBJETIVO: Elaborar e validar semanticamente um instrumento de avaliação da transferência do tratamento diretamente observado (TDO) como política de controle da tuberculose segundo a experiência de profissionais de saúde de nível médio e superior. MÉTODO: Trata-se de uma investigação metodológica desenvolvida em duas etapas: revisão da literatura para elaboração do instrumento primário e validação semântica do instrumento primário mediante aplicação de questionários adaptados do método DISABKIDS®. As informações obtidas, a depender de suas características, foram analisadas quantitativa (estatística descritiva) ou qualitativamente (análise de conteúdo - modalidade temática). RESULTADOS: Participaram do estudo 24 profissionais de nível médio e superior que executam ações de controle da tuberculose. O instrumento foi considerado importante para a prática profissional dos sujeitos do estudo. As respostas geraram modificações na estrutura e no conteúdo do instrumento. O processo resultou em um instrumento elaborado e validado semanticamente. CONCLUSÕES: A validação semântica é importante para garantir a aplicabilidade dos instrumentos de avaliação, como mostrou a contribuição dos participantes. O instrumento cuja validação semântica foi descrita no presente estudo será posteriormente avaliado quanto a características psicométricas por meio de técnicas estatísticas e quanto a sua utilidade para mensurar a transferência do TDO como política de controle da tuberculose aos profissionais de saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To design and semantically validate an instrument to evaluate the transfer of directly observed therapy (DOT) as a policy for tuberculosis control taking into consideration the experience of mid- and higher level health care workers. METHODS: This methodological investigation was developed in two stages: literature review to design the first draft of the instrument; and semantic validation of the first draft using questionnaires adapted from the DISABKIDS® project. The information obtained was analyzed using quantitative (descriptive statistics) or qualitative (content theme analysis) methods. RESULTS: Twenty-four mid- and higher level health care workers engaged in tuberculosis control participated in the study. The instrument was considered important for the work of study participants. The answers provided by participants led to changes in both the structure and content of the instrument. The process resulted in a final, semantically validated questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: Semantic validation is important to ensure the applicability of assessment instruments, as shown by the contributions provided by participants. The instrument whose semantic validation was described in this study will now be assessed in terms of psychometric characteristics and usefulness to measure the transfer of DOT to health professionals as a tuberculosis control policy.

Rapid detection and differentiation of mycobacterial species using a multiplex PCR system

Introduction The early diagnosis of mycobacterial infections is a critical step for initiating treatment and curing the patient. Molecular analytical methods have led to considerable improvements in the speed and accuracy of mycobacteria detection. Methods The purpose of this study was to evaluate a multiplex polymerase chain reaction system using mycobacterial strains as an auxiliary tool in the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis and diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) Results Forty mycobacterial strains isolated from pulmonary and extrapulmonary origin specimens from 37 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis were processed. Using phenotypic and biochemical characteristics of the 40 mycobacteria isolated in LJ medium, 57.5% (n=23) were characterized as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and 20% (n=8) as nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), with 22.5% (n=9) of the results being inconclusive. When the results of the phenotypic and biochemical tests in 30 strains of mycobacteria were compared with the results of the multiplex PCR, there was 100% concordance in the identification of the MTBC and NTM species, respectively. A total of 32.5% (n=13) of the samples in multiplex PCR exhibited a molecular pattern consistent with NTM, thus disagreeing with the final diagnosis from the attending physician. Conclusions Multiplex PCR can be used as a differential method for determining TB infections caused by NTM a valuable tool in reducing the time necessary to make clinical diagnoses and begin treatment. It is also useful for identifying species that were previously not identifiable using conventional biochemical and phenotypic techniques. .

Use of the Ogawa-Kudoh method to isolate mycobacteria in a tuberculosis reference laboratory in northwestern Paraná, Brazil

Culturing is the gold standard method for confirming a diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). The Brazilian Ministry of Health recently proposed the use of the Ogawa-Kudoh method for sputa cultures to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate 8 years of using the Ogawa-Kudoh method in a TB reference laboratory in northwestern Paraná, Brazil. The present study consisted of a retrospective analysis of sputa cultures records for the detection of mycobacteria using the Ogawa-Kudoh method in the Laboratory of Medical Bacteriology, Laboratory of Teaching and Research in Clinical Analysis (LEPAC), State University of Maringá, from July 2003 to September 2011. The following variables were analyzed: Ziehl Neelsen (Z-N) smears and cultures results and the age and gender of the patients. Sputa samples from 3,231 patients with suspected TB were analyzed. Of these, 67.17% were male with an average age of 45.58 years. Of the total number of Z-N-negative samples (n=2,949), 42 (1.42%) were positive for M. tuberculosis (p >0.05). The Ogawa-Kudoh method is an excellent tool for diagnosing pulmonary TB. It is easy to perform, requires less biosafety equipment than the Petroff method, has a low cost, and has good sensitivity for detecting of M. tuberculosis.

A cultura é o método padrão ouro para confirmação da tuberculose (TB). O Ministério da Saúde Brasileiro propôs, recentemente, a utilização do método de Ogawa-Kudoh para cultura de escarro na detecção de Mycobacterium tuberculosis. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar oito anos de utilização do método de Ogawa-Kudoh na rotina de um laboratório de referência na região noroeste do Paraná, Brasil. Realizou-se estudo retrospectivo dos registros das culturas de escarro para a detecção de micobactérias, usando o método Ogawa-Kudoh conduzido no Laboratório de Bacteriologia Médica, Laboratório de ensino e pesquisa em Análises Clínicas (LEPAC) da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), de Julho de 2003 a Setembro de 2011. As seguintes variáveis foram analisadas: esfregaço Ziehl Neelsen (Z-N), cultura, idade e sexo do paciente. Analisaram-se 3.231 amostras de escarro de pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose. Destes, 67,17% eram do sexo masculino com idade média de 45,58 anos. Do total de amostras Z-N negativas (n=2.949), 42 amostras (42/2949, 1,42%) apresentaram cultura positiva para M. tuberculosis (p>0,05). A utilização do método Ogawa-Kudoh representa excelente ferramenta para o diagnóstico precoce da TB pulmonar. É de fácil execução, requer menos equipamentos de biossegurança do que o método de Petroff, apresenta baixo custo e boa sensibilidade para detecção de M. tuberculosis.

A pilot study to determine genetic polymorphism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Central India.

This study was carried out to identify predominant spoligotypes responsible for transmission and prevalence of tuberculosis in central India since there is no data available about the genetic biodiversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients with tuberculosis in this region. 35 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were subjected to spoligotyping according to the standard protocol. A total of 25 strains out of the 35 (71.42%) could be grouped in to 6 clusters. The largest cluster comprised 8 isolates. Unique (Non-clustered) spoligotypes were seen in 10 isolates, Nine strains did not match the data base (Spol DB-4 data base). The results indicate that there may be a number of orphan strains unique to this geographical area. Further studies on a larger sample size derived from this area would help us delineate the epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in this area.

Tuberculose ativa entre profissionais de saúde em Portugal / Active tuberculosis among health care workers in Portugal

OBJETIVO: Determinar a incidência de tuberculose (TB) ativa em uma coorte de profissionais de saúde (PS). MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo dos casos de TB ativa identificados entre 2005 e 2010 no rastreio de medicina do trabalho efetuado em 6.112 PS. Casos de TB ativa foram definidos como aqueles com identificação de Mycobacterium tuberculosis por microscopia direta ou cultura; aqueles com sintomas ou sinais clínicos de TB e granuloma necrotizante, detectado por histologia; e aqueles com achados radiológicos consistentes com TB ativa. RESULTADOS: Dos 6.112 PS avaliados, houve 62 casos de TB ativa (TB pulmonar, em 43; TB pleural, em 15; TB ganglionar, em 2; TB do pericárdio, em 1; TB cutânea, em 1). Sete PS estavam assintomáticos no momento do diagnóstico. Dos 62 casos de TB ativa, a doença ocorreu nos primeiros 10 anos de exposição ocupacional em 48 e nos primeiros 5 anos em 36. A maioria dos casos verificou-se em médicos e enfermeiros (22 e 21, respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES: O impacto da TB em PS em Portugal é elevado. Os médicos e enfermeiros são os PS com o maior risco de desenvolver TB ativa. Tal como relatado em estudos prévios, parece haver um risco mais elevado de desenvolver essa doença nos primeiros anos de exposição. Em países de elevada incidência, o rastreio de TB nos PS é importante no controle da transmissão dessa doença.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of active tuberculosis (TB) in a cohort of health care workers (HCWs). METHODS: Descriptive study of active TB cases identified in an occupational health screening of 6,112 HCWs between 2005 and 2010. Cases of active TB were defined as those in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified by direct microscopy or culture; those in which there were symptoms or clinical signs of TB and necrotizing granuloma, as detected by histology; and those in which the radiological findings were consistent with active TB. RESULTS: Among the 6,112 HCWs evaluated, we identified 62 cases of active TB: pulmonary TB (n = 43); pleural TB (n = 15); lymph node TB (n = 2); pericardial TB (n = 1); and cutaneous TB (n = 1). Seven HCWs were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Of the 62 cases of active TB, 48 developed within the first 10 years of occupational exposure in the workplace, 36 of those occurring within the first 5 years. Physicians and nurses accounted for the highest numbers of cases (22 and 21, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In HCWs employed in Portugal, the TB burden is high. Physicians and nurses are the HCWs who are at the highest risk of developing active TB. We found the risk of developing this disease to be highest in the first years of exposure, as has been reported in previous studies. In high-incidence countries, TB screening of HCWs is important for controlling the transmission of this disease.

Tuberculosis in Cameroon (2003-2008)

Background Cameroon re-established a National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTCP) in 1997.The NTCP was restructured and recognized as a priority programme in 2002. Objective to present the organisation of the NTPC and the evaluation of its control activities from 2003 to 2008 after it's restructure. Design information and data were collected from TB policy documents of the Ministry of Health and from annual activity reports of the NTCP and analysed. Major achievements in TB control are highlighted and weaknesses and gaps identified .Results- The NTCP in a vertical programme with its activities organized at three levels .Forms 2003 to 2008; the number of detected smear positive pulmonary TB (ss+PTB) cases increased from 10;661 to 14;232 and that of TB from of 16;478 to 25;107 cases .The treatment success rate for new ss+PTB cases rose from 73in 76in 2007.The TB/HIV co-infection rate in 2008 was 40and 36for all forms of TB and for new ss+ PTB cases respectively. TB in prison is a major public health problem and multi -drug resistant TB (MDR-TR) is emerging .Several weaknesses and gaps in the programme have been identified. Conclusion: The activities of the NTCP from 2003 have been quite successful particularly in the area of the detection of new ss+PTB cases which has suppassed the 70target set by the programme.Treatment success rates even though improving fall below the 85NTCP target. The NTCP has several weaknesses and gaps which have to be tackled to make it more efficient. However the most important challenge remains a reliable source of funding to guarantee the programme's activities

Tuberculose extrapulmonar. Temas de Atualização e Revisão em Clínica Médica / Extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Themes of Updating and Revision in Medical Clinic

A disseminação do bacilo tuberculoso a partir do foco pulmonar pode levar à presença de lesões fora do pulmão, gerando a tuberculose extrapulmonar. Podendo acometer praticamente qualquer região do corpo, as formas extrapulmonares podem ser diagnóstico mais difícil.

The dissemation of the Mycobacterium tubercolosis from the lung may cause lesions outside the lungs, forming extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis. Almost any part of the body can be affected and the diagnosis may be more difficul.

Tuberculosis and AIDS co-morbidity in Brazil: linkage of the tuberculosis and AIDS databases

This study evaluated differences in AIDS patients with and without tuberculosis (TB) in Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Standard regional AIDS (SINAN, SISCEL, SICLOM and SIM) and tuberculosis (SINAN) databases were used. TB and AIDS databases were linked using Reclink software, version 3, with SPSS software support to identify co-infected cases. Data from July 2000 to June 2006 in Espírito Santo State were linked. The results showed 3,523 adult AIDS cases and 9,958 adult TB cases resulted in 430 co-infected patients, who were compared to 1,290 AIDS patients who never developed TB. Among 430 co-infected patients, TB was diagnosed first in 223 (51.9 percent), AIDS was first in 44 (10.2 percent), and AIDS and TB were diagnosed concurrently in 163 (37.9 percent). Median age did not differ between co-infected cases (36 years (interquartile range [IQR] 29-43) and non-co-infected cases (34 years; IQR 28-42). Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 239 (55.6 percent); 109 (25.3 percent) had extra-pulmonary TB and 82 (19.1 percent) had both presentations. In the final logistic regression model, living in a metropolitan area [Odds Ratio (OR)=1.43 (95 percent Confidence Interval (CI) 1.05-1.95)], education < 3 years [OR=3.03 (95 percentCI 1.56-5.88)] and CD4 counts < 200/mm³ [OR=1.14 (95 percentCI 1.09-1.18)] were associated with co-infection. This report emphasizes the significance of tuberculosis among AIDS cases in Brazil, and highlights the importance of evaluating secondary data for purposes of improving data quality and developing public health interventions.

Study of relapse and failure cases of CAT I retreated with CAT II under RNTCP--an eleven year follow up.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the treatment outcome of Cat I smear positive relapse and failure cases and their fate when treated with Cat II regimen under RNTCP. METHODS: All Cat I smear positive relapse and failure TB patients treated with Category II regimen from 1994 to 2005 in a chest clinic of Delhi were analysed in this retrospective study. The re-treatment outcome data for relapse and failure cases of Cat I when treated with Cat II regimen was reviewed. RESULTS: The study population included 5576 registered as Cat I sputum positive cases in Gulabi Bagh chest clinic from 1994 to 2005. A total of 190 (3.4%) failed on Cat I regimen. Further out of 4905 (87.9%) successfully treated Cat I patients, 442 (9%) presented as relapses. The treatment success rate for relapse and failure cases of Cat I when subsequently treated with Cat II regimen were 76.4% and 48.8% respectively, with a significantly higher failure rate (27.6%) among Cat I failures subsequently treated with Cat II regimen. CONCLUSION: The failure cases of Cat I subsequently treated with Cat II were observed to have a significantly lower success rates (p < 0.05) as compared to relapse cases. The need for reappraisal of Cat II re-treatment regimen for failure cases among Cat I is suggested.

Mortalidade específica por tuberculose no estado do Espírito Santo, no período de 1985 a 2004 / Tuberculosis-related mortality in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, 1985-2004

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever a mortalidade específica por tuberculose no estado do Espírito Santo, e sua tendência em relação às variáveis: forma clínica, sexo e faixas etárias. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo descritivo retrospectivo baseado em dados secundários. Foram incluídos os óbitos registrados no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade que possuíam como causa básica a tuberculose de residentes no estado do Espírito Santo, no período de 1985 a 2004. RESULTADOS: A taxa de mortalidade específica ajustada por tuberculose de todas as formas acompanhou a taxa de mortalidade geral do estado apresentando redução de 5,6/100.000 habitantes, em 1985, para 2,0/100.000 habitantes, em 2004. A forma pulmonar foi a mais freqüente em todo o período (89,7 por cento dos óbitos por tuberculose). A razão da taxa de mortalidade no sexo masculino/feminino variou de 1,1 em 1998 a 3,19 no ano de 2004. CONCLUSÕES: Ocorreu redução da taxa de mortalidade em todas as faixas etárias. A predominância da forma pulmonar, sexo masculino e faixas etárias mais avançadas foram semelhantes à da mortalidade específica por tuberculose no país como um todo.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe tuberculosis-related mortality in Espírito Santo, Brazil, evaluating its tendencies in relation to clinical presentation, gender and age bracket. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study based on secondary data. For the 1985-2004 period, we investigated all deaths of residents of Espírito Santo in which tuberculosis was given as the underlying cause, as reported in the Brazilian National Mortality Database. RESULTS: The adjusted mortality rates for all forms of tuberculosis paralleled the overall mortality rates in the state, decreasing from 5.6/100,000 inhabitants in 1985 to 2.0/100,000 inhabitants in 2004. Pulmonary tuberculosis was the predominant form of the disease (89.7 percent of tuberculosis-related deaths) throughout the period studied, and the male/female mortality rate ratio ranged from 1.1 in 1998 to 3.19 in 2004. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a decrease in the mortality rates in all age brackets. Predominance of the pulmonary form, male gender and advanced age was similar to that of overall tuberculosis-related mortality in Brazil.

Evaluación de los indicadores de calidad de la baciloscopía de tuberculosis en los laboratorios provinciales de diagnóstico de Cuba / Assessment of quality of the smear of TB in provincial diagnostic laboratories in Cuba

El control de calidad de la baciloscopía (BK), es un sistema diseñado para mejorar la habilidad, eficiencia y el uso de la microscopía, como opción de diagnóstico y monitoreo, asegurando que la información generada por el mismo, sea exacta, fiable y reproducible. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar los indicadores de calidad de la BK en los laboratorios de diagnóstico de tuberculosis de los Centros Provinciales de Higiene y Epidemiología de Cuba. Se realizó el control de calidad a 2054 láminas en el periodo enero – diciembre del 2006, según lo establecido en el Manual de Procedimientos del Programa Nacional de Control de Tuberculosis. De las láminas evaluadas, 269 (13.1 por ciento) presentaron codificaciones altas, 81 (3,9 por ciento) codificaciones bajas y 1704 (83 por ciento) fueron negativas. La tasa de error para todos falsos positivos fue de 1,1 por ciento; no se identificaron resultados falsos negativos. El índice de kappa general obtenido fue de 0,9949. La sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo presentaron valores superiores al 99 por ciento. Estos resultados sugieren la calidad del personal que realiza la BK de tuberculosis en los laboratorios provinciales y recomendamos no descuidar las continuas supervisiones y mantener un programa de entrenamiento constante de los técnicos para continuar mejorando la calidad del diagnóstico baciloscópico en Cuba.

A study on the effectiveness of DOTS on tuberculosis patients treated under RNTCP.

A total of 88 Tuberculosis patients who registered for treatment were followed up until their completion. These patients were given treatment under the Government of India implemented RNTCP in the year 1999-2000 in a Tuberculosis unit in Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. Majority of the patients were male and from lower middle class In the present study the cure rate was 72.00 %, treatment completion was 80.55%, default patients were 22.72% and chronic cases were 6.25%.