Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis in Asia

Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Risk of Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a known risk factor for lung cancer. However, a detailed analysis of lung cancer type, age, sex, smoking, and TB burden associated with geographic and socioeconomic status has not been performed previously. We systematically appraised relevant observational studies reporting an association between pulmonary TB and lung cancer. All studies were included in the primary analysis, and studies that used robust TB diagnostic methods, such as validated medical diagnostic codes, were included in the secondary analysis. Thirty-two articles were included. The association between the history of pulmonary TB and diagnosis of lung cancer was statistically significant (OR 2.09, 95% CI: 1.62–2.69, p < 0.001). There was a high heterogeneity (I² = 95%), without any publication bias. The analysis indicated a high association in advanced articles describing stringent pulmonary TB diagnosis (OR 2.26, 95% CI: 1.29–3.94, p = 0.004). The subgroup analyses suggested a significant association in countries with medium or high TB burdens, from East Asia and the Pacific region, and upper-middle income countries. Heterogeneity within the subgroups remained high in a majority of the subgroup analyses. A meta-regression analysis revealed that younger patients showed a significantly higher association between TB and lung cancer (regression coefficient = 0.949, p < 0.001). The history of pulmonary TB is an independent risk factor for lung cancer, especially in younger patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB. Clinicians should be aware of this association while treating young patients with a history of pulmonary TB.

Novel polymorphisms in TICAM2 and NOD1 associated with tuberculosis progression phenotypes in Ethiopian populations

BACKGROUND

Infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a necessary but not sufficient cause for tuberculosis (TB). Although numerous studies suggest human genetic variation may influence TB pathogenesis, there is a conspicuous lack of replication, likely due to imprecise phenotype definition. We aimed to replicate novel findings from a Ugandan cohort in Ethiopian populations.

METHOD

We ascertained TB cases and household controls (n = 292) from three different ethnic groups. Latent Mtb infection was determined using Quantiferon to develop reliable TB progression phenotypes. We sequenced exonic regions of TICAM2 and NOD1.

RESULT

Significant novel associations were observed between two variants in NOD1 and TB: rs751770147 [unadjusted p = 7.28 × 10-5] and chr7:30477156(T), a novel variant, [unadjusted p = 1.04 × 10-4]. Two SNPs in TICAM2 were nominally associated with TB, including rs2288384 [unadjusted p = 0.003]. Haplotype-based association tests supported the SNP-based results.

CONCLUSION

We replicated the association of TICAM2 and NOD1 with TB and identified novel genetic associations with TB in Ethiopian populations.

A 20-year retrospective cohort study of TB infection among the Hill-tribe HIV/AIDS populations, Thailand

Background

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine the situation, trend, and factors associated with TB infection, and factors related to the life status among the HIV/AIDS Hill-tribe in Northern Thailand. Hill-tribe people have been migrating to and formed settlements along the Thai border areas for many decades. There are now having 1.6 million people of 6 different groups–Akha, Lahu, Lisu, Hmong, Yao and Keren–each with a specific culture, language and lifestyle. The Hill-tribe becomes a new vulnerable of HIV and TB infections in Thailand.

Methods

A systematic data-reviewing approach was used to identify the information from the rosters of ARV clinics, OPD cards, and laboratory reports from 16 hospitals in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. The data were collected from the first reported HIV/AIDS case of the Hill-tribe to the end of 2010. A chi-square test and logistic regression models were used to identify associations at the significance level of alpha = 0.05.

Results

A total of 3,130 cases were included in the study. The majority of patients were Akha (46.0 %) followed by Lahu (19.7 %), 54.6 % were males, 44.6 % were 26–35 years old. The major risk factor of HIV infection was sexual intercourse (93.1 %); 23.9 % were still alive at the date of data collection, 30.7 % were diagnosed with pulmonary TB. The Akha Hill-tribe HIV/AIDS individuals had a greater chance of TB infection than did Yao individuals with OR_adj = 1.50 (95 % CI = 1.01-1.92). Females had a greater chance of TB infection than males with OR_adj = 1.33 (95 % CI = 1.11-1.59); being classified as HIV and AIDS groups had a greater chance of TB infection than those asymptomatic group with OR_adj = 11.59 (95 % CI = 7.19-18.71), and OR_adj = 1.71 (95 % CI = 1.03-2.87); and not having received the ARV group had a greater chance of TB infection than those who having received the ARV group with OR_adj = 2.59 (95 % CI = 2.09-3.22). The patients who had been diagnosed with HIV infection during 1990–1995 and 1996–2000 had less chance of TB infection than those who were diagnosed from 2006–2010, with OR_adj = 0.04 (95 % CI = 0.01-0.14) and 0.11 (95 % CI = 0.07-0.17), respectively. Regarding life status; females had a better chance of being still alive at the date of data collection than being males with OR_adj = 1.41 (95 % CI = 1.19-1.66). Those who had a defined route of transmission in the category of “mother-to-child” and “IDU” had a better chance of being still alive compared to those who contracted HIV from “sexual intercourse,” with OR_adj = 2.05 (95 % CI = 1.56-2.18), and OR_adj = 8.45 (95 % CI = 1.55-46.13), respectively.

Conclusions

Thailand needs to create a TB and HIV/AIDS surveillance system for Hill-tribe populations to determine the situation and trend and to develop an appropriate model for providing care at the earlier stage of HIV/AIDS infection to prevent later TB infection.

Tuberculosis and HIV co-infection-focus on the Asia-Pacific region

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading opportunistic disease and cause of death in patients with HIV infection. In 2013 there were 1.1 million new TB/HIV co-infected cases globally, accounting for 12% of incident TB cases and 360,000 deaths. The Asia-Pacific region, which contributes more than a half of all TB cases worldwide, traditionally reports low TB/HIV co-infection rates. However, routine testing of TB patients for HIV infection is not universally implemented and the estimated prevalence of HIV in new TB cases increased to 6.3% in 2013. Although HIV infection rates have not seen the rapid rise observed in Sub-Saharan Africa, indications are that rates are increasing among specific high-risk groups. This paper reviews the risks of TB exposure and progression to disease, including the risk of TB recurrence, in this vulnerable population. There is urgency to scale up interventions such as intensified TB case-finding, isoniazid preventive therapy, and TB infection control, as well as HIV testing and improved access to antiretroviral treatment. Increased awareness and concerted action is required to reduce TB/HIV co-infection rates in the Asia-Pacific region and to improve the outcomes of people living with HIV.

Tuberculosis and nature's pharmacy of putative anti-tuberculosis agents

Due to the growing problem of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, coupled with the twinning of tuberculosis (TB) to human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), the burden of TB is now difficult to manage. Therefore, new antimycobacterial agents are being sought from natural sources. This review focuses on natural antimycobacterial agents from endophytes and medicinal plants of Africa, Europe, Asia, South America and Canada. In the countries mentioned in this review, numerous plant species display putative anti-TB activity. Several antimycobacterial chemical compounds have also been isolated, including: ellagitannin punicalagin, allicin, anthraquinone glycosides, iridoids, phenylpropanoids, beta-sitosterol, galanthimine, crinine, friedelin, gallic acid, ellagic acids, anthocyanidin, taraxerol, termilignan B, arjunic acid, glucopyranosides, 1-epicatechol, leucopelargonidol, hydroxybenzoic acids, benzophenanthridine alkaloids, neolignans, and decarine. These compounds may provide leads to novel and more efficacious drugs to lessen the global burden of TB and drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains. If there is a long-term remedy for TB, it must lie in nature's pharmacy of putative antimycobacterial agents.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic management of lymph node tuberculosis in Tunisia]

La tuberculose ganglionnaire est la localisation extra-pulmonaire la plus fréquente de la tuberculose. Nous nous proposons dans ce travail d’étudier les modalités diagnostiques, thérapeutiques et évolutives de cette localisation. Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective portant sur 100 cas de tuberculose ganglionnaire. L’âge moyen était de 35 ± 15 ans (15-85 ans). Aucun malade n’était VIH positif. L'aire cervicale était la plus touchée (93 cas). L'intradermo-réaction à la tuberculine était positive dans 76/91 cas (83,5%). L'examen bactériologique des prélèvements au niveau des ganglions atteints avait mis en évidence des bacilles acido-alcoolo-résistants à l'examen direct dans 2/31 cas (6,4%) et la culture avait isolé Mycobacteruim tuberculosis dans 1/31 cas (3,2%). La cytoponction ganglionnaire (FNAC) était évocatrice de tuberculose dans 35/42 cas (83,3%). La biopsie ganglionnaire était réalisée dans 69 cas et avait permis de retenir le diagnostic de tuberculose dans tous les cas. La FNAC, comparativement à la biopsie, avait permis de raccourcir significativement le délai de la prise en charge (15,1 vs 22,8 jours; p=0,001) et la durée d'hospitalisation (17,3 vs 24,6; p=0,004). La durée moyenne du traitement antituberculeux était de 9,8 ± 4,6 mois (7 à 44 mois). Le traitement chirurgical initial avait raccourci significativement la durée du traitement médical. Il n'avait pas d'impact sur le taux de guérison. Nous avons noté 10 cas de réponse paradoxale aux antituberculeux, quatre cas de résistance clinique et une rechute dans deux cas. La tuberculose ganglionnaire pose un problème diagnostique et thérapeutique. La microbiologie est d'un faible apport. La FNAC est un moyen diagnostique très utiles dans les pays endémiques et à faibles ressources. Un traitement médical seul permet d’éviter les inconvénients de la chirurgie.

Willingness to use the oral fluid HIV rapid test among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China

Background

Early detection of HIV infection enables timely care and treatment. However, many men who have sex with men (MSM) remain unaware of their HIV status because they do not or are unable to access HIV testing services. Oral fluid HIV rapid tests have the potential to increase HIV testing. This study is the first to evaluate willingness to use the oral fluid test among MSM in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Beijing from July to October, 2012. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires.

Results

Of 262 who participated in the survey, 223(85.1%) reported that they were willing to use the oral fluid HIV rapid test. Willingness to use the oral fluid test was associated with higher education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–5.10), lack of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with male partners in the past one month (AOR: 2.38; 95% 95%CI: 1.15–4.95), having taken more than 4 HIV tests (AOR: 3.54; 95%CI:1.52–8.28), and having ever heard of the oral fluid HIV rapid test from gay friends or gay organizations (AOR: 3.24, 95%CI: 1.40–7.51). Among those who expressed willingness to use the oral fluid HIV rapid test, the median amount of money they were willing to pay was 8 dollars. Among the 39 participants who were unwilling to use the oral fluid test, 79.5% (31/39) expressed concerns about the accuracy of the oral fluid HIV rapid test results and 17.9%(7/39) reported that they were not familiar with the oral fluid test and did not know how to use such a test.

Conclusions

A high proportion of MSM in Beijing appear to be willing to use the oral fluid HIV rapid test. Appropriate cost and education measures could help improve acceptance of the oral fluid test.

Surveillance of pyrazinamide susceptibility among multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Siriraj Hospital, Thailand

Background

Susceptibility testing of pyrazinamide (PZA) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is difficult to perform because the acidity of culture medium that is required for drug activity also inhibits the growth of bacteria. In Thailand, very limited information has been generated on PZA resistance, particularly among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) isolated from Thailand. Only two studies on PZA susceptibility among Thai M. tuberculosis strains have been reported; one used a pyrazinamidase assay, and the other used the BACTEC 460 TB for PZA susceptibility testing. In this study, we determined the percentage of strains possessing pyrazinamide resistance among pan-susceptible M. tuberculosis and MDR-TB isolates by using the pyrazinamidase assay, BACTEC MGIT 960 PZA method and pncA sequencing, and assessed the correlation in the data generated using these methods. The type and frequency of mutations in pncA were also determined.

Results

Overall, 150 M. tuberculosis isolates, consisting of 50 susceptible and 100 MDR-TB isolates, were tested for PZA susceptibility by BACTEC MGIT 960 PZA, the pyrazinamidase assay and pncA sequencing. The study indicated PZA resistance in 6% and 49% of susceptible and MDR-TB isolates, respectively. In comparison to the BACTEC MGIT 960 PZA, the PZase assay showed 65.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity, whereas pncA sequencing showed 75% sensitivity and 89.8% specificity. Twenty-four mutation types were found in this study, with the most frequent mutation (16%) being His71Asp. Of these mutations, eight have not been previously described. The Ile31Ser and Ile31Thr mutations were found both in PZA susceptible and resistant isolates, suggesting that mutation of this codon might not play a role on PZA resistance.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that phenotypic susceptibility testing is still essential for the detection of PZA resistance, especially for MDR-TB isolates. Some mutations were not associated with resistance and could lead to misinterpretation of the genotypic methods. This information could be helpful for clinicians in managing tuberculosis patients and frequencies, and the types of pncA mutations should offer baseline information on PZA resistance.

Ocular Tuberculosis Initially Presenting as Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

A 23-year-old man presented with central retinal vein occlusion. The retinal haemorrhages worsened and signs of retinal vasculitis appeared later as vision dropped from 6/60 to Counting Fingers. No signs of systemic disease were observed. Routine Mantoux test and chest radiograph were negative for tuberculosis. Fundus flourescein angiogram confirmed presence of retinal vasculitis. Both systemic and topical corticosteroid therapy were ineffective. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of vitreous fluid showed presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A full 6-month course of antituberculosis therapy was given and inflammation subsided. Vision improved to 3/60. This is a rare case of ocular tuberculosis without evidence of systemic infection, presenting first as a central retinal vein occlusion.

Intradermal tuberculin testing of wild African lions (Panthera leo) naturally exposed to infection with Mycobacterium bovis

African lions in the southern half of Kruger National Park (KNP) are infected with Mycobacterium bovis. Historically, reliable detection of mycobacteriosis in lions was limited to necropsy and microbiological analysis of lesion material collected from emaciated and ailing or repeat-offender lions. We report on a method of cervical intradermal tuberculin testing of lions and its interpretation capable of identifying natural exposure to M. bovis. Infected lions (n=52/95) were identified by detailed necropsy and mycobacterial culture. A large proportion of these confirmed infected lions (45/52) showed distinct responses to bovine tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) while responses to avian tuberculin PPD were variable and smaller. Confirmed uninfected lions from non-infected areas (n=11) responded variably to avian tuberculin PPD only. Various non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were cultured from 45/95 lions examined, of which 21/45 were co-infected with M. bovis. Co-infection with M. bovis and NTM did not influence skin reactions to bovine tuberculin PPD. Avian tuberculin PPD skin reactions were larger in M. bovis-infected lions compared to uninfected ones. Since NTM co-infections are likely to influence the outcome of skin testing, stricter test interpretation criteria were applied. When test data of bovine tuberculin PPD tests were considered on their own, as for a single skin test, sensitivity increased (80.8-86.5%) but false positive rate for true negatives (18.75%) remained unchanged. Finally, the adapted skin test procedure was shown not to be impeded by persistent Feline Immunodeficiency Virus(Ple) co-infection.

Simoultaneuos occurence of other diseases among prison inmates with tuberculosis

Prison populations are considered to be at high risk for tuberculosis infections, and many of the cases encountered have initiated while the individuals were in prison. There are also studies that have estimated the occupational risk of exposure and infection for hospital-based and correctional healthcare workers. To our knowledge, data on the incidence and risk factors associated with tuberculosis are very scanty in Romania, and therefore the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for this infections among a sample of prison inmates stationed at Colibasi Hospital Prison.