ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis (TB) is a multisystemic contagious disease produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria (MTBC), with a prevalence of 65:100,000 inhabitants in Romania (six times higher than the European average). The diagnosis usually relies on the detection of MTBC in culture. Although this is a sensitive method of detection and remains the "gold standard", the results are obtained after several weeks. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), being a quick and sensitive method, represent progress in the diagnosis of TB. The aim of this study is to assess the assumption that NAAT using Xpert MTB/RIF is an efficient method of TB diagnosis and has the capacity to reduce false-positive results. Pathological samples from 862 patients with TB suspicion were tested using microscopic examination, molecular testing and bacterial culture. The results show that the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra test has a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 96.4% compared with 54.8% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity for Ziehl-Neelsen stain microscopy, and an average of 30 days gained in the diagnosis of TB compared with bacterial culture. The implementation of molecular testing in TB laboratories leads to an important increase in early diagnostics of the disease and the prompter isolation and treatment of infected patients.
Subject(s)
Antibiotics, Antitubercular , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary , Tuberculosis , Humans , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/drug therapy , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/microbiology , Retrospective Studies , Rifampin/pharmacology , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genetics , Antibiotics, Antitubercular/pharmacology , Antibiotics, Antitubercular/therapeutic use , Sensitivity and Specificity , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Tuberculosis/epidemiology , Tuberculosis/drug therapy , Early DiagnosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIM: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for generating a global pandemic with deadly consequences and life changes worldwide. With the appearance of the new variants of the virus, clinical manifestations have been reported in the pediatric population, some with severe evolution. The aim of this study was to identify the laboratory parameters necessary to establish an effective therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the period from August 2020 to September 2021, 234 pediatric patients met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the study. After confirming the COVID-19 diagnosis, laboratory parameters were analyzed and compared to the severity of the illness. RESULTS: Thrombocytopenia (p<0.001), leukocytosis (p<0.001), and lymphopenia (p<0.001) correlated with the severity of the disease. Also, D-dimer values were closely monitored due to the high association of this parameter with an unsatisfactory prognosis and a severe form of the disease. CONCLUSION: The D-dimer values and complete blood count are useful parameters in COVID-19 evaluation in children.
