Universitatea de Stat de Medicină şi Farmacie "Nicolae Testemiţanu"
Abstract
Division of Pneumology and Allergology, Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Nicolae Testemiţanu”,
Phthisiopneumology Institute "Chiril Draganiuc",
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova,
Congresul consacrat aniversării a 75-a de la fondarea Universității de Stat de Medicină și Farmacie „Nicolae Testemițanu” din Republica Moldova, Ziua internațională a științei pentru pace și dezvoltareIntroduction:
Tuberculosis (TB) is known as a leading cause of non-CF bronchiectasis
in high burden TB settings. However, the finding of pulmonary
sequelae suggestive for past-TB is not always associated with a
positive history for tuberculosis episode. QFT-TB GOLD could reflect
the past history of pulmonary TB.
Aim:
To evaluate the prevalence of IGRAs positive test among patients with
non-CF bronchiectasis patients, calcifications and no history of TB
treatment.
Material and methods:
34 enrolled patients (mean age 56.6 years, 53% females) with non-CF
bronchiectasis and calcifications were tested with QFT-TB Gold (results
were reported as positive, negative, indeterminate).
High-resolution computed tomography images (HRCT) were analyzed
to appreciate the type and extent of bronchiectasis and the presence
of calcifications in chest and abdominal organs.
Results:
Severe bronchiectasis was identified in 20 patients with a BSI score ≥9
points, 68% (23 cases) demonstrating cystic bronchiectasis at least in
one lobe. The modified Reiff score was 7.9±4.1 (1-14), and the more
detailed Bhalla score was 12.8±4 (5-19). The most frequent localization
of the calcifications was in the lung parenchyma 27 cases (76%) and
bronchial wall 25 cases (74%), followed by calcification of lymph nodes
50% and pleural calcifications 32%. Eight patients (24%) had positive
QFT-TB Gold test result at study enrollment. After a one year follow
up, only one of the QFT positive patients developed active smear
positive pulmonary TB (by the 6th month).
Conclusions:
Presence of calcification on HRCT in patients with non-CF
bronchiectasis has a poor correlation with positive latent tuberculosis
infection status
