Comparison of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Nepal- a hospital-based retrospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies from developed countries have reported on host-related risk factors for extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). However, similar studies from high-burden countries like Nepal are lacking. Therefore, we carried out this study to compare demographic, life-style and clinical characteristics between EPTB and PTB patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective analysis was carried out on 474 Tuberculosis (TB) patients diagnosed in a tertiary care hospital in western Nepal. Characteristics of demography, life-style and clinical features were obtained from medical case records. Risk factors for being an EPTB patient relative to a PTB patient were identified using logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The age distribution of the TB patients had a bimodal distribution. The male to female ratio for PTB was 2.29. EPTB was more common at younger ages (< 25 years) and in females. Common sites for EPTB were lymph nodes (42.6%) and peritoneum and/or intestines (14.8%). By logistic regression analysis, age less than 25 years (OR 2.11 95% CI 1.12–3.68) and female gender (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.12–2.56) were associated with EPTB. Smoking, use of immunosuppressive drugs/steroids, diabetes and past history of TB were more likely to be associated with PTB.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results suggest that younger age and female gender may be independent risk factors for EPTB in a high-burden country like Nepal. TB control programmes may target young and female populations for EPTB case-finding. Further studies are necessary in other high-burden countries to confirm our findings.</p

Factors associated with delayed diagnosis of tuberculosis in hospitalized patients in a high TB and HIV burden setting: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The most essential components of TB control are early diagnosis and adequate treatment. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis may result in more extensive disease and more complications, increase severity of the disease and is associated with higher risk of mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with delayed diagnosis of TB in hospitalized patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a cross-sectional study in a general, tertiary care, university-affiliated hospital. Adult patients with TB that were hospitalized were identified retrospectively, and risk factors for delayed diagnosis were collected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median delay until diagnosis was 6 days (IQR: 2-12 days). One hundred and sixty six (54.4%) patients were diagnosed ≤ 6 days, and 139 (45.6%) > 6 days after admission. The main factors associated with diagnostic delay (> 6 days) were extra-pulmonary TB and negative sputum smear.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although hospitalization permits a rapid management of the patient and favors a faster diagnosis, we found an unacceptable time delay before the diagnosis of pulmonary TB was made. Future studies should focus on attempt to explain the reasons of diagnostic retard in the patients with the characteristics related to delay in this study.</p

Comparison of extra-pulmonary and pulmonary tuberculosis cases: factors influencing the site of reactivation

SETTING: Mycobactetium tuberculosis bacilli spread by the hematogenous route during primary infection and reactivate later

Interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene polymorphisms in tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is an infectious disease in humans killing nearly three million people and eight million cases annually. The cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-10 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of TB. Certain single nucleotide polymorphisms within the promoter region of the IL10 and TNF genes have been associated with altered levels of circulating IL10 and TNF-alpha. We analyzed TNF-a (-308 G/A, -238 G/A, -376 G/A) and IL10 (-1,082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A) polymorphisms in 128 patients with TB and 80 healthy subjects using by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). A significant association was found between TB and -1,082 G allele (Pc: 0.000, OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.45-3.4 1). Significant difference was observed in IL10 GCC and ACC haplotypes distribution between TB and control subjects (Pc: 0.000, OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.45-3.41; Pc: 0.004, OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35-0.81). No statistically significant association was found between IL-10 -819 C/T, TNF-alpha 308 G/A, -238 G/A, -376 G/A polymorphisms, functional TNF alpha/IL-10 genotypes and TB. Our findings suggest that IL-10 108 2G/A alleles or haplotypes containing these alleles may influence the Th1/Th2 balance and hence may play a role in TB susceptibility and increase risk of developing disease. This polymorphism may be one of the many genetic factors affecting disease outcome