La tuberculosis genitourinaria en el siglo XXI / Genitourinary tuberculosis in the 21st century

Tuberculosis is a major health problem in both underdeveloped and industrialized nations. Each year there is an estimated 8 million new cases of tuberculosis (TB) with 2 million deaths. TB is an opportunistic infection affecting primarly lower social economic classes and individuals whose immune system are compromised by age (very young and elderly), infection (HIV) and recipients of immune modulators (organ transplantation, collagen disease). Twenty percent of patients with TB may develop genitourinary (GU) tuberculosis. Pelvic infection in the female can mimic malignancy. In the past "classic" genito-urinary tuberculosis has developed in conjunction with pulmonary or miliary infection. Patients now present with isolated (i.e. adrenal, renal, genital or pelvic) infection. Diagnosis of GU TB infection is difficult. Newer molecular biologic tools i.e. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provide improved diagnostic methods. CT scans are an effective imaging tool. Retropeirtoneal and intraperitoneal TB disease can be evaluated and treated by laparoscopic surgical procedures. Despite the advantages of the newer technology, TB of the genito-urinary continues to significant challenge to the practitioner because of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is resistant to current anti-TB drugs and "non-classic" presentation of GU infection.

La tuberculosis es un problema de salud importante en las naciones industrializadas como también en los países en vías de desarrollo. Cada año se estiman 8 millones de nuevos casos de tuberculosis (TBC) con 2 millones de muertes. La TBC es una infección oportunista que afecta en forma primaria a individuos de clases sociales mas bajas o a aquellos que presentan compromiso del sistema inmune debido a la edad (niños o ancianos), infecciones (HIV) o al tratamiento con moduladores del sistema inmune (trasplante de órganos, enfermedad del colágeno). El 20% de los pacientes con TBC pueden contraer tuberculosis genitourinaria (TGU). La infección pelviana en la mujer puede simular una enfermedad maligna. En el pasado, la tuberculosis genitourinaria "clásica" se desarrollaba junto con la infección pulmonar o miliar. Ahora los pacientes se presentan con la infección aislada (suprarrenal, renal, genital o pelviana). El diagnostico de la TGU es difícil. Nuevas herramientas de la biología molecular, por ejemplos la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa, ofrecen mejores métodos diagnósticos. La tomografía computarizada es una herramienta efectiva para obtener imágenes. Las TBC retroperitoneal e intraperitoneal pueden ser evaluadas y tratadas mediante procedimientos quirúrgicos laparoscópicos. A pesar de las ventajas de las nuevas tecnologías, la TBC es aún un desafío para el medico debido a que Mycobacterium tuberculosis es resistente a los antibióticos actuales y a la forma de presentación atípica de la infección genitourinaria.

Pelvic actinomycosis: urologic perspective

PURPOSE: Actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by the gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, Actinomyces israelli. This paper reviews the etiology and clinical presentation associated with Actinomycosis that often presents as a pelvic mass that mimics a pelvic malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A combination of patients treated by the authors in the recent past and a literature review of patients with pelvic Actinomycosis were assessed for diographic, clinical and predisposing co-factors. An analysis is made of age distribution, gender, diagnostic methods and treatment concepts. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in the study that included 2 current patients and 31 obtained from literature review. There were 27 fiales (age range 16 - 69 years, mean 38 years) and 6 males (16 - 55 years, mean 36 years). Presenting signs and symptoms were lower abdominal mass in 28 (85 percent); lower abdominal pain in 21 (63 percent); vaginal discharge or hiaturia in 7 (22 percent). Two patients developed fistulae (entero-vesico 1; vesico-cutaneous 1). Nineteen (70 percent) of the 27 fiale patients had intra-uterine contraceptive devices (IUD). Four patients (12.5 percent) (3 males and 1 fiale) had urachus or urachal rinants. Cystoscopy in 12 patients noted an extrinsic mass effect, bullous edia and in one patient vegetative proliferation proven to be a chronic inflammatory change. Exploratory laparotomy was performed in 32 of the 33 patients who had excision of mass and involved organs. Diagnosis was established by histologic examination of rioved tissue. Penicillin (6 weeks) therapy was utilized to control infections. CONCLUSION: Pelvic actinomycosis mimics pelvic malignancy and may be associated with the long-term use of intra-uterine contraceptive devices, and persistent urachal rinants. Rioval of infected mass and antibiotic therapy will eradicate the inflammatory process.