Pericarditis purulenta por mycobacterium tuberculosis y streptococcus pneumoniae: revisión del tema, a propósito de un caso / Purulent pericarditis due to mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptococcus pneumoniae: case report and review

La pericarditis purulenta es una patología poco frecuente pero que conlleva alta mortalidad. En la era pre antibióticos, se observaba en pacientes con neumonía complicada y las cocáceas gram positivas eran los gérmenes frecuentemente involucrados. Por otro lado, la pericarditis tuberculosa representa el 1% del total de casos de tuberculosis, aunque es frecuente zonas endémicas, principalmente asociada a la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 19 años, en situación calle, infectado con VIH, con diagnóstico de pericarditis purulenta, donde se demostró la co-infección de Mycobacterium tuberculosis y Streptecoccus pneumoniae en el pericardio. La pericarditis purulenta polimicrobiana es poco frecuente y la co-infección por los gérmenes mencionados es anecdótica. A pesar del tratamiento antimicrobiano, el aseo quirúrgico, los esteroides y la fibrinolisis intrapericárdica, esta patología tiene un pronóstico ominoso, en parte, debido a la condición basal de los enfermos que la padecen.

Purulent pericarditis is a rare disease with a high mortality rate. In the pre-antibiotic era it was observed as a complication in patients with pneumonia. Gram-positive coccaceae were the most commonly implicated bacteria. Tuberculous pericarditis represents 1% of all tuberculosis (TBC) cases, although it is common in endemic areas, associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We present the case of a 19-year-old homeless, admitted with HIV and malnutrition, diagnosed with purulent pericarditis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus pneumoniae were found as a cause of purulent pericarditis. Polymicrobial purulent pericarditis is a rare condition and co-infection with the bacteria previously mentioned is merely anecdotal. Despite antimicrobial treatment, surgical management, steroids, and intrapericardial fibrinolysis, this pathology has an ominous prognosis, due in part to the pre-existing condition of these patients.

Aspectos clínico-imagenológicos de pacientes diagnosticados con tuberculosis extrapulmonar, La Habana 2016-2019 / Clinical and imaging aspects of the patients diagnosed with extrapulmonary tuberculosis, Havana 2016-2019

RESUMEN Introducción: La tuberculosis extrapulmonar muestra una complejidad diagnóstica que influye sobre la morbilidad y mortalidad. Objetivo: Caracterizar desde una perspectiva clínico-imagenológica a los pacientes diagnosticados con tuberculosis extrapulmonar, en el Hospital Neumológico Benéfico Jurídico de La Habana, en el período 2016-2019. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y transversal en 34 pacientes con diagnóstico de tuberculosis extrapulmonar. Las variables medidas fueron: edad, sexo, factores de riesgo para padecer la enfermedad, síntomas y signos clínicos, hallazgos radiológicos, métodos diagnósticos utilizados y su localización. Resultados: Predominaron pacientes del sexo masculino con edad entre 26 a 35 años (29,4 %). El 73,5 % de los pacientes presentó factores de riesgos para esta enfermedad, los más frecuentes fueron: ser contactos de pacientes con tuberculosis (29,4 %), los exreclusos (17,6 %) y los alcohólicos (14,7 %). El 58,8 % presentó fiebre y síntomas o signos generales como anorexia (44,1 %), pérdida de peso (41,2 %) y astenia (38,2 %). El hallazgo radiológico más común fue el derrame pleural (47 %) y la forma extrapulmonar más frecuente dada por 15 casos (44,1 %) fue la pleuritis tuberculosa. El método clínico-radiológico posibilitó el diagnóstico en el 50 % de los pacientes. Conclusiones: Las manifestaciones clínicas más evidentes fueron la fiebre, la pérdida de peso y la astenia. El método diagnóstico clínico-radiológico es el más utilizado y el hallazgo radiológico más reportado es el derrame pleural. La localización pleural es la forma extrapulmonar más frecuente.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis shows a complexity that can influence in its morbidity and mortality rates. Objective: To characterize the patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis from a clinical-imaging perspective in the Hospital Neumológico Benéfico Jurídico in Havana in the period 2016-2019. Method: A descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study was carried out in 34 patients with the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The variables taken into account were: age, gender, risk factors for the disease, symptoms and clinical signs, radiological findings, diagnosis methods used, and location. Results: Male patients with ages ranging between 26 to 35 years predominated in the study (29.4%). 73.5% of the patients presented risk factors of the disease, being most common: contact of previous tuberculosis patients (29.4%), ex-inmates (17.6%) and alcoholics (14.7%). 58.8% of the patients presented fever and general symptoms like anorexia (44.1%), weight loss (41.2%) and asthenia (38.2%). The most common radiological finding was pleural effusion (47%), and the most frequent extrapulomary form of the disease was tuberculous pleurisy (15 cases representing a 44.1%). The clinical-radiological method made diagnose possible in 50% of the patients. Conclusions: The most common clinical manifestations were fever, weight loss and asthenia. The clinical-radiological method is the most frequently used, and the most frequent radiological finding was the pleural effusion. Pleural location was the most common extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis.

Multiple cavitary lung lesions on CT: imaging findings to differentiate between malignant and benign etiologies / Lesões escavadas pulmonares múltiplas em TC: achados de imagem para diferenciação entre etiologia maligna e benigna

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the CT findings of multiple cavitary lung lesions that allow the differentiation between benign and malignant etiologies. Methods: We reviewed CT scans, including patients with two or more cavitary lung lesions. We evaluated the number of cavitary lesions, their location, cavity wall thickness, and additional findings, correlating the variables with the diagnosis of a benign or malignant lesion. Results: We reviewed the chest CT scans of 102 patients, 58 (56.9%) of whom were male. The average age was 50.5 ± 18.0 years. Benign and malignant lesions were diagnosed in 74 (72.6%) and 28 (27.4%) of the patients, respectively. On the CT scans, the mean number of cavities was 3, the mean wall thickness of the largest lesions was 6.0 mm, and the mean diameter of the largest lesions was 27.0 mm. The lesions were predominantly in the upper lobes, especially on the right (in 43.1%). In our comparison of the variables studied, a diagnosis of malignancy was not found to correlate significantly with the wall thickness of the largest cavity, lymph node enlargement, emphysema, consolidation, bronchiectasis, or bronchial obstruction. The presence of centrilobular nodules correlated significantly with the absence of malignant disease (p < 0.05). In contrast, a greater number of cavities correlated significantly with malignancy (p < 0.026). Conclusions: A larger number of cavitary lung lesions and the absence of centrilobular nodules may be characteristic of a malignant etiology. However, on the basis of our evaluation of the lesions in our sample, we cannot state that wall thickness is a good indicator of a benign or malignant etiology.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar os achados tomográficos de lesões escavadas pulmonares múltiplas que contribuem para a diferenciação entre etiologia benigna e maligna. Métodos: Foram revisados exames de TC, sendo incluídos pacientes com duas ou mais lesões pulmonares escavadas. Avaliaram-se a quantidade de lesões escavadas, sua localização, espessura parietal das lesões e achados adicionais, correlacionando as variáveis com a presença de diagnóstico de benignidade ou de malignidade. Resultados: Foram revisadas TCs de tórax de 102 pacientes, sendo 58 (56,9%) desses do sexo masculino. A média de idade foi de 50,5 ± 18,0 anos. Lesões benignas e malignas foram diagnosticadas em 74 pacientes (72,6%) e em 28 (27,4%), respectivamente. Quanto aos achados tomográficos, a média do número de cavidades foi 3, a da espessura média da parede da maior lesão foi de 6,0 mm, e a do diâmetro da maior lesão foi de 27,0 mm. Houve predomínio das lesões em lobos superiores, especialmente no direito (43,1%). Após a comparação das variáveis estudadas, a espessura parietal da maior escavação, assim como a presença de linfonodomegalia, enfisema, consolidação, bronquiectasias e obstrução brônquica, não apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para o diagnóstico de malignidade. A presença de nódulos centrolobulares correlacionou-se significativamente com a ausência de doença maligna (p < 0,05). Observou-se também que um número maior de cavidades se correlacionou significativamente com malignidade (p < 0,026). Conclusões: Um maior número de lesões pulmonares escavadas e a ausência de nódulos centrolobulares podem ser características relacionadas à etiologia maligna. Por outro lado, a espessura parietal não permitiu a diferenciação entre etiologia benigna e maligna das lesões em nossa amostra.

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.

Avaliação do acompanhamento e desfecho de casos de tuberculose em município do sul do Brasil / Seguimiento y evaluación de los resultados de los casos de tuberculosis en el municipio del sur de Brasil / Monitoring and assessment of outcome in cases of tuberculosis in a municipality of Southern Brazil

RESUMO Objetivos avaliar o acompanhamento e desfecho do tratamento de casos de tuberculose pulmonar no programa de controle da tuberculose de um município prioritário do Sul do Brasil. Métodos estudo quantitativo, descritivo, documental, utilizando prontuários das pessoas com tuberculose em tratamento entre 2009-2013, a coleta ocorreu entre junho e julho de 2014 no Programa de Controle da Tuberculose. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva. Resultados a média de consultas, entre os 629 pacientes, foi de 7,2 por paciente, com intervalo médio de 1,03 meses entre as consultas. A média de baciloscopias foi de 2,7 exames por paciente, durante o período estudado. O desfecho do tratamento foi 87,8% de cura, 8,3% de abandono e 6,5% de óbitos. Conclusões apesar do alcance da taxa de cura, o abandono ainda é elevado, sendo necessário explorar estratégias para melhor a adesão ao tratamento, e o comprometimento da gestão municipal em articular o acompanhamento na atenção primária à saúde.

RESUMEN Objetivo evaluar el seguimiento y tratamiento de la tuberculosis pulmonar en el programa de control de la tuberculosis en una ciudad prioridad en el sur de Brasil. Método estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, documental, usando los registros de personas con tuberculosis tratados entre 2009-2013, los datos fueron recogidos entre junio y julio de 2014 en el programa de control de la tuberculosis. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva. Resultados entre los 629 pacientes el número medio de visitas fue de 7,2 por paciente, con un intervalo medio de 1,03 meses entre las visitas, y la media fue de 2,7 microscopías por paciente, no periodo del estudio. El resultado del tratamiento fue del 87,8% de curación, el 8,3% de deserción y 6,5% de muertes. Conclusión a pesar de la tasa de curación, el abandono es aún elevado, siendo necesario explorar estrategias para mejorar la adherencia al tratamiento, así como el compromiso de la gestión municipal en el seguimiento conjunto de los pacientes con tuberculosis por la atención primaria.

ABSTRACT Objectives To monitor and assess the outcome of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis in the tuberculosis control program in a prioritized municipality in Southern Brazil. Methods a quantitative study, descriptive, documentary, using records of people with tuberculosis in treatment between 2009-2013, the collection took place between June and July 2014 in the Tuberculosis Control Program. Descriptive statistics was used. Results The average number of consultations among the 629 patients was 7.2 per patient, with a mean interval of 1.03 months between visits. The average of smears was 2.7 tests per patient during the study period. The outcome of treatment was a cure rate of 87.8%, an abandonment rate of 8.3% and 6.5% of deaths. Conclusions despite the cure rate, abandonment is still high, thus, it is necessary to explore strategies for better adherence to treatment, and the commitment of the municipal administration in articulating monitoring in primary health care.

Spectrum of breast tuberculosis

To determine the presentation of breast tuberculosis, diagnostic methods and surgical treatments. A case series. This study was conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences and Tuberculosis Clinic at Bantwa Hospital, Kharadar, Karachi, from April 1999 to March 2007. Clinically diagnosed patients of breast tuberculosis, confirmed by laboratory work-up, were included in this study. Detailed history and examination of both breast and axillae were the primary diagnostic measures. Complete blood counts, ESR, Mantoux test, ultrasound, mammogram, fine needle aspiration cytology, staining for acid-fast bacilli both smear and culture were performed. Core biopsy for lumps more than 5 cm and wide excision biopsy for the lump less than 5 cm were the methods applied. Pre-designed research proforma was filled and descriptive statistics of age, site, side, clinical presentations, investigations were recorded and surgical treatment done. Anti-tuberculosis treatment was given to all patients. Thirty patients were studied with mean age of 28.4 years ranging from 16-48 years. Bilateral breast involvement was seen in 2 patients with 14 cases involving the right and left breast. Lymph node involvement was present in 7. Pulmonary tuberculosis was seen in 4 patients. Multifocal disease was present in 27 patients. The clinical presentation was with lump in 6, discharging sinuses in 14, cold abscess in 8, and non-healing ulcer in 2 patients. There were 5 lactating mothers. Montoux test was positive in 5, AFB smear and culture were positive in 3. Only AFB culture was positive in 4. Five patients required core biopsy for diagnosis of confirmation of lump more than 5 cm and wide excision biopsy was required in 7 patients with lump less than 5 cm. Despite antituberculous treatment, surgical management was required in 21 [70%] cases. Tuberculosis of the breast, simulating the carcinoma breast and granulomatous mastitis very closely and are difficult to be differentiated without tissue diagnosis. Surgical management is more often required

Distinguishing tuberculosis and crohn's disease in developing countries: How certain can you be of the diagnosis?

Distinguishing tuberculosis and Crohn's disease in patients presenting with chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea is a huge diagnostic challenge, particularly in tuberculosis endemic countries. A large number of patients with Crohn's disease are initially misclassified as having Intestinal tuberculosis in places where tuberculosis is endemic before they are treated for Crohn's disease. Although a variety of endoscopic, radiological and histological criteria have been recommended for the differentiation, it often proves difficult in routine clinical practice. Future prospective studies are required in patients with granulomatous colitis to prevent unnecessary inappropriate anti tuberculous therapy for patients with Crohn's disease and appropriate early treatment for a patient with tuberculosis

TB contact investigations: 12 years of experience in the National TB Programme, Morocco 1993-2004

We reviewed data collected from 1993 to 2004 as part of the routine activities of the national tuberculosis [TB] control programme [NTP] in Morocco. More than 1 million household TB contacts were identified in approximately 200 000 investigations. On average, 77% of identified contacts were screened every year; overall prevalence was 2.5%. The proportion of TB cases identified in household contacts of registered cases was 5.6%. This was significantly higher in children under 10 years and in patients registered and diagnosed with symptomatic primary complex. Performing TB contact investigations as part of the routine activities of NTP services is feasible in low-middle-income countries

Clinical and laboratory profile of patients with tuberculosis/HIV coinfection at a national referral centre: a case series

This case series describes the clinical and laboratory profile of 15 patients with tuberculosis [TB] HIV coinfection admitted to a referral centre in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Most of the patients [13] were male; the mean age was 36.9 years. Intravenous drug use was the route of transmission for all males and heterosexual intercourse for the 2 females; 12 patients had a history of imprisonment. All patients had pulmonary TB; 13 were smear-positive and all except 1 had atypical radiological presentation. Drug-induced hepatitis occurred in 3 patients and 12 had hepatitis C coinfection. Five patients died. The mean CD4 count was 229.2 [SD 199.5] cells/mm[3] and 78.6% had CD4 count < 350. TB may be an AIDS-defining illness in this country

Tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients

The resurgence of tuberculosis worldwide is largely linked to the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] epidemic. Epidemiology data have demonstrated that HIV-infected individuals are more susceptible to myocobacterial disease, which may lead to an acceleration in the progression of HIV disease. Diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients infected with HIV is sometimes difficult because of atypical clinical and radiographic findings. In the present article we review the epidemiological interactions of HIV and tuberculosis and discuss clinical and radiological manifestations and treatment of tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients

Tuberculosis of the breast: report of 4 clinical cases and literature review

Nearly 18% of tuberculosis [TB] cases have only extrapulmonary manifestations. Breast tuberculosis is a rare type of extrapulmonary TB. This paper reports 4 cases of breast TB confirmed either pathologically or mycobacteriologically or both. These reports showed that TB should always be considered first in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis in TB-endemic areas. Therapy included at least 6 months of anti-TB medication and surgery when indicated

Prevalence of tuberculosis in close contacts smear positive TB patients

Tuberculosis [TB] is considered as one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. At present, extensive contact investigation among households is not a routine part of TB control efforts in most countries. The investigation of contacts of TB cases is an essential part of TB control program. In this study, we have evaluated the active contact tracing among close contacts of smear positive TB patients. The main aim of this research was to demonstrate the prevalence of TB and to fully screen the close contacts of TB patients in order to detect active and infected TB cases. Close contacts of newly diagnosed smear positive pulmonary TB patients were identified. The information and data of the contacts including history, clinical examination, history of BCG vaccination, results of tuberculin skin test [TST], and bacteriological and radiological manifestations were collected on special questionnaires. Out of the total 147 close contacts of 34 index cases, 81 [55.1%] were female and 66 [44.9%] were male. Based on the nationality, there were 38 [25.9%] Afghan refugees and 109 [74.1%] Iranian cases. The duration of contact was as follows: in 30 cases the contact time period was less than 1 yr., in 75 individuals it was more than 1 yr., while 42 individuals had a persistent contact. In 61.8% of the cases the induration of TST was less than 15 mm, while in 38.2% it was more than 15 mm. Abnormal radiological manifestations were detected in 33.3% of close contacts including calcification [25.17%], parenchymal infiltration [4.08%], cavity [2.04%] and nodular lesions [2.04%]. According to the diagnostic findings, out of 147 contacts, 7 [4.8%] cases of pulmonary TB were detected. In our study no significant statistical difference was found regarding the prevalence of TB among the Iranian and Afghan close contacts. Also there was no significant statistical difference in the duration of contact time of the TB cases. Furthermore, positive radiological findings were detected in 33.3% of the close contacts. In 25.7% of the cases, the pattern was calcification indicating primary TB infection. According to the results of this research the rate of TB in contacts is 400 times higher than the society [4800/100,000 versus 12/100,000]. This study points out the importance of systematic investigation of contacts to discover new cases of TB. It also demonstrates the significant role of radiology as a major tool in diagnosing both TB infection and disease

A comparative study of clinico-radiological spectrum of tuberculosis among HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative patients.

BACKGROUND: A study to determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among tuberculosis patients and to compare the clinico-radiological spectrum of tuberculosis among HIV seropositive and seronegative patients was carried out in the Department of TB and Chest Diseases, CSM Medical University, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), India. METHODS: A total of 1105 radiologically and/or bacteriologically confirmed patients of tuberculosis were screened for HIV infection during the years 1995 to 1997 and from 2000-2001. RESULTS: Out of a total 1105 patients screened, 31(2.8%) were found to be HIV seropositive. Tuberculin positivity was less among HIV seropositive patients as compared to HIV seronegative patients (22.6% vs 76.4%; p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in sputum smear positivity for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) among HIV seropositive and seronegative patients. Among HIV seropositive patients, mid and lower zone involvement, exudative lesions and mediastinal lymphadenopathy was more common as compared to the seronegative patients. CONCLUSION: HIV seropositivity rates among tuberculosis patients was 2.8 percent. The presentation of tuberculosis was more often atypical among these patients.

[Clinical manifestation of retroperitoneal tuberculosis as psuedotumor in an 18-year-old female]

The case was an 18-year-old female with progressive crampy abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, initiated from 4 months ago, Who had 4-5 Kg weight loss in this period. In physical examination, an ill-defined mass with mild tenderness in periumblical region palpation was detected. In upper GI endoscopy, bulging folds with a necrotic mass in D2- D3 were detected. In small bowel series study, cut off of barium in D2-D3 portions was seen. For better evaluation spiral CT was performedin which a large mass with extension to small bowel in retroperitoneum was seen. In Pathologic study, classification granuloma compatible with tuberculosis was reported. This finding was confirmed with Ziel Neelsen staining and PCR

Intracranial menifestations of tuberculosis: an imaging study

In this paper we report various intracranial manifestations of tuberculosis in 48 patients who presented at our hospitals. The object of this study was to see different patterns of intracranial tuberculosis seen on cross sectional imaging in the city of Lahore and its suburbs. In a total of 48 patients, 21 had meningitis, 16 patients were found to have tuberculomas which also included 6 who had accompanying meningitis. Vasculitis resulting in lacunar infarcts was seen in 3 patients. Hydrocephalus was seen in 5 patients and choroid plexus tuberculosis [choroid plexitis] was seen in 3. Intracranial tuberculosis, therefore can have many presentations such as meningitis, tuberculomas or rare varieties such as abscess, cerebritis or choroid plexus involvement. It can also lead to devastating complications such as hydrocephalus and infarcts

Extra pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is regarded as a disease of the lung. Tuberculosis affecting other organs is Called extra pulmonary tuberculosis. It falls within the Medical or Surgical specialty dealing with that particular organ system. Symptoms of EPTB are generally systemic; to make a definitive diagnosis you need a high index of suspicion, detailed patient workup. and efforts to obtain pathological confirmation of diagnosis. There is definitely a need to focus on EPTB for the following reasons: 1. EPTB contributes to the morbidity of disease in the last decade. 2. Increasing incidence of EPTB among HIV patients: 3. Definitive algorithm for diagnosis and treatment need to be developed. 4.There is an increasing trend of over diagnosis and empirical treatment for TB especially in highly endemic areas