Clinical, laboratory and evolutionary features of abdominal tuberculosis in comparison with other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis is a multisystem disease that might affect any organ. Abdominal tuberculosis (ABT) represents 5-17% from all extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPT) sites. We aimed to study the clinical, laboratory and evolutionary features of ABT cases and to identify predictive factors associated with ABT. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including all patients hospitalized in the infectious diseases department for EPT between 1991 and 2019. We studied the characteristics of ABT cases, and we compared them with other EPT cases. RESULTS: We identified 519 patients with EPT, among whom 86 (16.6%) patients had ABT. There were 58 females (67.4%). Peritoneal tuberculosis was the most common clinical form of ABT (68.6%), followed by intestinal tuberculosis (18.6%). Patients aged 60 years and above were significantly less affected with ABT (odds ratio (OR) = 0.2; p = 0.001). The revealing systemic symptoms including fever (OR = 2.04; p = 0.006), weight loss (OR = 2.5; p < 0.001) and anorexia (OR = 1.7; p = 0.021) were significantly more frequent among ABT patients. Inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein levels (37 [10-89] mg/l vs 10 [4-57] mg/l; p < 0.001) and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (43 [15-95] mm/h vs 27 [15-60] mm/h; p = 0.044) were significantly higher among ABT cases. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that anorexia (adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.9; p = 0.015) and pulmonary involvement (AOR = 3.3; p = 0.002) were independent predictors of higher rate of ABT. Concomitant involvement of neuro-meningeal (AOR = 0.18; p = 0.001) and osteo-articular (AOR = 0.2; p = 0.01) sites, 40-59 (AOR = 0.2; p < 0.001) and ≥60 (AOR = 0.2; p < 0.001) age groups as well as hemoglobin rate (AOR = 0.7; p < 0.001) were independently associated with lower rate of ABT. CONCLUSIONS: Anorexia and pulmonary involvement were independent predictors of higher rate of ABT. Concomitant involvement of neuro-meningeal and osteo-articular sites, 40-59 and ≥60 age groups and hemoglobin rate were independently associated with lower rate of ABT.

Prevalence, chronological trends and predictors of treatment outcomes among patients with tuberculosis in Southern Tunisia across two decades (1995-2016).

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease common worldwide. Influencing factors in TB outcomes include socio-demographics, as well as disease-related and treatment-related factors. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence trends of unsuccessful treatment outcomes in Southern Tunisia during 1995-2016 and to identify their risk factors. METHODS: This was a retrospective study including all notified cases from the tuberculosis center reporting registers in Southern Tunisia between 1995 and 2016. RESULTS: Overall, 2771 TB cases were notified. Unsuccessful treatment outcomes were noted in 196 cases (7%). Unsuccessful treatment outcome was associated with male gender (OR=1.4; p=0.023), elderly status (≥60 years, OR=2.3; p<0.001), joints and bones site (OR=2.2; p=0.002) as well as meningeal involvement (OR=2.4; p=0.023). Lymph node (OR=0.4; p<0.001) and therapy duration ≥6 months (OR=0.003; p<0.001) were statistically associated with lower rate of unsuccessful outcome. Multivariate regression analysis showed that elderly status (AOR=2.3; p<0.001), meningeal involvement (AOR=2.2; p<0.027) as well as bone and joints involvements (AOR=2; p=0.027) were independently associated with unsuccessful outcome. Trends analysis showed that the case-fatality rate significantly increased from 1995 to 2016 (Rho=0.4; p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of unsuccessful outcome suggested important inadequacies in the TB program. An effective strategy to improve therapeutic education of patients with TB is therefore urgently needed.

Survival of an immuno-competent patient from splenic and gastric mucormycosis-case report and review of the literature.

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening disease responsible for a high mortality rate. The disease usually affects immuno-compromised patients. While all sites might be involved, gastrointestinal disease is rare, occurring for 5% to 13% of all mucormycosis cases. We report herein the fifth case of splenic and gastric mucormycosis revealed after gastric perforation and the first case occurring among an immuno-competent patient, and we review all reported cases of splenic mucormycosis by searching PubMed publications till October 2020. The literature search yielded 27 cases of splenic mucormycosis including our case. The majority of the cases had underlying immuno-compromised conditions, except for 6 cases, including ours. A male predominance was noted (22 cases). Involvement of the spleen and the stomach was rare, occurring among four immuno-compromised patients. The outcome was death in more than half of the cases. Splenic and gastric mucormycosis is a rare disease. The diagnosis of splenic mucormycosis should be considered in front of splenic lesions suggesting abscess or infarction, especially among immuno-compromised patients.

Comparative analysis between tuberculous meningitis and other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is a multisystem disease that may affect any organ or tissue. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis and commonly affects the brain. We aimed to study the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary features of TBM among adults and to compare them with other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including all patients hospitalized for extrapulmonary tuberculosis in the infectious disease department in Sfax, Tunisia between 1993 and 2018. We specified the particularities of TBM cases, and we compared them with other extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases. RESULTS: We encountered 78 patients diagnosed with TBM, among 519 patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (15%). The median age was 36 years (23-50) years. There were 44 females (56.4%). In comparison with other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, fever [odds ratio (OR)=4.4; p<0.001], asthenia (OR=3.4; p<0.001) and anorexia (OR=2.3; p=0.001) were significantly more frequent in TBM patients. Adverse effects of antitubercular therapy were more frequent among TBM patients (OR=3.1; p<0.001). The mean duration of antitubercular therapy was 15 (12-20) months. Recovery occurred in 66 cases (84.6%), complications in 44 cases (56.4%) and death in 7 cases (9%). Comparison of the disease evolution showed that complications (OR=7.4; p<0.001) and mortality rates (OR=10.7; p<0.001) were significantly more frequent in TBM patients, while recovery was significantly more frequent in other sites of extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients (OR=0.5; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In our country, TBM remains a disabling disease. Despite antitubercular therapy, the prognosis was more severe with the occurrence of not only complications but also a high mortality rate in comparison with other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. When clinical and laboratory features suggest the diagnosis of TBM, clinicians should look for tuberculosis elsewhere in the body.

Breast tuberculosis: a diagnosis not to be forgotten

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics and imaging features of breast tuberculosis (TB) and to describe treatment. Material and Methods: A retrospective study including all patients hospitalized in the infectious diseases department for breast TB between 1997 and 2018. Results: Twenty-two women, with a mean age of 39±12 years, were identified. In total, 18 patients were multiparous (81.8%). Both lump and mastalgia were the presenting symptoms in 19 cases (86.3%). Ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathy was noted in 14 cases (63.6%). The most common finding on ultrasound was a well or poorly defined mass lesion, noted in 17 cases (77.2%), followed by fistulous tracts in seven cases (31.8%). Mammography showed focal, asymmetric breast density in 17 cases (89.5%) and diffuse in two cases (10.5%). The diagnosis was confirmed based on the presence of epithelioid cell granulomas and caseous necrosis in 13 cases (59.1%). Patients received antitubercular therapy for a mean duration of 11±5 months. The disease evolution was favorable in 20 cases (91%). There were two relapsing cases (9%). Conclusion: Breast TB should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young patients presenting with palpable lump with axillary lymphadenopathy, especially in endemic regions. The diagnosis confirmation usually requires an excision biopsy providing histological or bacteriological evidence.

The association between vitamin D deficiency and extrapulmonary tuberculosis: Case-control study.

Tuberculosis remains a public health issue worldwide. Identifying its risk factors, such as vitamin D deficiency, is mandatory so as to target the preventive strategies. We aimed to study the association between vitamin D deficiency and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. We conducted a case-control study including all cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis hospitalized in the infectious diseases department over a two-year period from April 2017 until April 2019. We included 45 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and 45 controls matched by gender and age. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more frequent among cases (80% vs 37.7%; p < 0.001), with an odds ratio (OR) of 6.5 (IC95% = 2.5-16). The mean levels of vitamin D were significantly lower among cases (11.9 ± 8.8 vs 22.3 ± 11 ng/mL; p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, we found that vitamin D deficiency was an independent predictor of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (OR = 6.13; p < 0.001). The cutoff value of vitamin D predictor of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was 18.5 ng/mL which was associated with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 62%. Our study provides strong evidence that vitamin D deficiency was an independent predictor of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. More studies are needed in order to evaluate the potential preventive role of vitamin D and the benefit of possible supplementation.

Tuberculous and Brucellar Spondylodiscitis: Comparative Analysis of Clinical, Laboratory, and Radiological Features.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. PURPOSE: The aim was to compare the clinical, laboratory, radiological, and evolutionary features of tuberculous spondylodiscitis (TS) and brucellar spondylodiscitis (BS). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Clinical presentation of spondylodiscitis varies according to the underlying etiology, among which brucellosis and tuberculosis represent the primary cause, in endemic countries. Only a few studies have compared the characteristics between TS and BS. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using the data of all patients hospitalized for TS and BS in the infectious diseases department between 1991 and 2018. RESULTS: Among a total of 117 patients, 73 had TS (62.4%) and 44 had BS (37.6%). Females were significantly more affected with TS than males (56.2% vs. 22.7%, p<0.001). Fever (72.7% vs. 45.2%, p=0.004) and sweating (72.7% vs. 47.9%, p=0.009) were significantly more frequent among patients with BS. The median erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly higher in the TS group (median, 70 mm/hr; interquartile range [IQR], 45-103 mm/hr) than in the BS group (median, 50 mm/hr; IQR, 16-75 mm/hr) (p=0.003). Thoracic involvement was significantly more frequent in the TS group (53.4% vs. 34.1%, p=0.04), whereas lumbar involvement was significantly more frequent in the BS group (72.7% vs. 49.3%, p=0.01). Initial imaging findings revealed significantly higher frequencies of posterior vertebral arch involvement, vertebral compaction, and spinal cord compression in the TS group. Percutaneous abscess drainage (20.5% vs. 2.3%, p=0.005) and surgical treatment (17.8% vs. 2.3%, p=0.01) were more frequently indicated in the TS group, with a significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of clinical, laboratory, and radiological features can be used to distinguish between TS and BS while these patients await diagnosis confirmation.