Evaluation of the radiological sequelae after treatment completion in new cases of pulmonary, pleural, and mediastinal tuberculosis

Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis as a Considerable Complication in Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease

Post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD) has only recently been put in the spotlight as a medical entity. Recent data suggest that up to 50% of tuberculosis (TB) patients are left with PTLD-related impairment after completion of TB treatment. The presence of residual cavities in the lung is the largest risk factor for the development of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) globally. Diagnosis of CPA is based on four criteria including a typical radiological pattern, evidence of Aspergillus species, exclusion of alternative diagnosis, and a chronic course of disease. In this manuscript, we provide a narrative review on CPA as a serious complication for patients with PTLD.

Magnitude and factors associated with post-tuberculosis lung disease in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence suggests that after completion of treatment for tuberculosis (TB) a significant proportion of patients experience sequelae. However, there is limited synthesized evidence on this from low-income countries, from Sub-Saharan Africa, and in HIV infected individuals. We seek to provide an updated comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the magnitude and factors associated with post-TB lung disease (PTLD) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase and CINAHL for studies from LMICs with data on post-TB lung health in patients who had previously completed treatment for pulmonary TB. Data on study characteristics, prevalence of PTLD-specifically abnormal lung function (spirometry), persisting respiratory symptoms and radiologic abnormalities were abstracted. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and R version 4.1 software, and random effects meta-analysis conducted to compute pooled prevalence of PTLD, evaluate heterogeneity, and assess factors associated with PTLD.

RESULTS

We identified 32 eligible studies with 6225 participants. Twenty-one studies were from Africa, 16 included HIV infected participants, spirometry was conducted in 20 studies, symptom assessment in 16 and chest imaging in eight. Pooled prevalence of abnormal lung function was 46.7%, persistent respiratory symptoms 41.0%, and radiologic abnormalities 64.6%. Magnitude of any type of PTLD varied by HIV status (HIV- 66.9%, HIV+ 32.8%, p = 0.0013), across geographic setting (SE Asia 57.5%, Southern America 50.8%, and Africa 38.2%, p = 0.0118), and across urban-rural settings (symptom prevalence: rural 68.8%, urban 39.1%, mixed settings 27.9%, p = 0.0035), but not by income settings, sex or age-group.

CONCLUSIONS

There is high burden of post-TB persistent respiratory symptoms, functional lung impairment and radiologic structural abnormalities in individuals living in LMICs. Burden varies across settings and by HIV status. This evidence may be valuable to advocate for and inform implementation of structured health care specific to the needs of this vulnerable population of individuals.

Spectrum of pulmonary aspergillus diseases in post TB lung diseases

INTRODUCTION

Post-Pulmonary TB structural lung disease with cavitation and bronchiectasis favours the growth of Aspergillus. It leads to progressive lung destruction and the persistence of symptoms after successful ATT and can mimic smear-negative PTB. There is lack of prevalence study of this disease from India. Antifungal therapy is very beneficial, as it reduces both morbidity and mortality. The present study is being undertaken to study the occurrence of spectrum of PA in PTBLD.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study, conducted at one of the tertiary chest institute of India over a period of one year, after approval from institutional human ethics committee. A total of 60 patients with history of treatment for PTB were recruited. Active PTB were excluded. Diagnosis of PA in were established on the basis of clinical, radiological, microbiological and serological parameters. Based on this, the spectrum of PA viz. CPA, ABPA and IPA were established.

RESULTS

The mean age was 47.88 ± 12.89 years with males being 60%. Mean duration of illness was 6.57 ± 5.11 years with mean asymptomatic period of 4.97 ± 7.41 year. Cough and breathlessness (100%) being the most common symptom followed by wheezing (58%). PA was diagnosed in 48% of cases out of which 43% cases were of CPA. The most common subtype of CPA was simple aspergilloma 14 (54%) followed by CCPA 10 (38%), 2CFPA (8%). ABPA was diagnosed in two cases of PA and one case of aspergillus sensitization. None of the case diagnosed as IPA.

CONCLUSION

We found high prevalence of PA among PTBLD, especially CPA. Early recognition and treatment with antifungal has the potential to reduce the morbidity and mortality. There is a need of prospective community-based larger multicentric studies to precisely define the prevalence of these disorders.

Correlations Between Inflammatory Biomarkers in Tuberculosis-Associated Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients With Anxiety and Depression

Introduction

Tuberculosis-associated obstructive pulmonary disease (TOPD), anxiety, and depression are significant public health problems worldwide and their prevalence is common. These diseases interfere with physical, psychosocial, and economic well-being, resulting in unemployment, prolonged hospitalization, abstinence from working, and isolation.

Subjects and methods

This is a single-center, cross-sectional cohort, observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital over six years to understand spirometry, laboratory profiles, as well as the impact on overall health, daily life, and perceived well-being in patients with TOPD.

Result

The sample size of the study was 73 patients. A total of 43 (58.5%) patients had depression with an average St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (SGRQ-C) score of 67.5, and 16 (21.9%) patients had anxiety with an average SGRQ-C score of 78.9. In the patients who scored higher on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), there was a significant correlation between Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and HAM-D scores, as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and WBC counts. In 16 (21.9%) of the patients with moderate to severe anxiety, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between higher HAM-A scores and lower WBC counts. Anxiety, depression, CRP level, WBC count, and serum fibrinogen did not show a significant correlation with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) groups-based assessment of TOPD severity. A high serum fibrinogen level did not correlate with a high HAM-D score, nor did a high CRP level correlate with a high HAM-A score.

Conclusion

Psychiatric comorbidities like depression are associated with increased inflammation in chronic diseases like TOPD, but no definitive biomarker has been identified and further studies are required to identify suitable biomarkers.

Deep Learning to Determine the Activity of Pulmonary Tuberculosis on Chest Radiographs

Background Determining the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis on chest radiographs is difficult. Purpose To develop a deep learning model to identify active pulmonary tuberculosis on chest radiographs. Materials and Methods Chest radiographs were retrospectively gathered from a multicenter consecutive cohort with pulmonary tuberculosis who were successfully treated between 2011 and 2017, along with normal radiographs to enrich a negative class. The pretreatment and posttreatment radiographs were labeled as positive and negative classes, respectively. A neural network was trained with those radiographs to calculate the probability of active versus healed tuberculosis. A single-center consecutive cohort (test set 1; 89 patients, 148 radiographs) and data from one multicenter randomized controlled trial (test set 2; 366 patients, 3774 radiographs) were used to test the model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the model and of the four expert readers. Results In total, 6654 pre- and posttreatment radiographs from 3327 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 55 years ± 19; 1884 men) with pulmonary tuberculosis and 3182 normal radiographs from as many patients (mean age, 53 years ± 14; 1629 men) were gathered. For test set 1, the model showed a higher AUC (0.83; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.89) than one pulmonologist (0.69; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.76; P < .001) and performed similarly to the other readers (AUC, 0.79-0.80; P = .14-.23). For 200 randomly selected radiographs from test set 2, the model had a higher AUC (0.84) than the pulmonologists (0.71 and 0.74; P < .001 and .01, respectively) and performed similarly to the radiologists (0.79 and 0.80; P = .08 and .06, respectively). The model output increased by 0.30 on average with a higher degree of smear positivity (95% CI: 0.20, 0.39; P < .001) and decreased during treatment (baseline, 3 months, and 6 months: 0.85, 0.51, and 0.26, respectively). Conclusion A deep learning model performed similarly to radiologists for accurately determining the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis on chest radiographs; it also was able to follow posttreatment changes. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Post tuberculosis radiological sequelae in patients treated for pulmonary and pleural tuberculosis at a tertiary center in Pakistan

Treating tuberculosis (TB) is not the end of the disease because of the wide spectrum of post TB sequelae associated with the disease. There is insufficient data on post TB radiological sequelae. The aim of this study is to evaluate the post TB radiological sequelae on chest x-rays in patients who had completed the treatment for pulmonary and pleural TB at a tertiary care hospital of a high TB burden country. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted on patients treated for pulmonary and pleural TB. Adult patients (18 years or above) with a clinical or microbiological diagnosis of pulmonary or pleural TB were included. Patients were classified on the basis of site of TB into pulmonary and pleural TB. Post-treatment radiological sequelae on chest x-ray were evaluated and divided into three main types i.e. fibrosis, bronchiectasis and pleural thickening. During the study period a total of 321 patients were included with a mean age of 44(SD±19) years. Only 17.13% (n=55) patients had normal chest x-rays at the end of treatment and 82.87% (n=266) patients had post-TB radiological sequelae with fibrosis being the most common followed by pleural thickening. The post TB radiological sequelae were high in patients who had diabetes mellitus (78.94%), AFB smear-positive (90.19%), AFB culture-positive (89.84%), Xpert MTB/Rif positive (88.40%) and with drug-resistant TB (100%). As a clinician, one should be aware of all the post TB sequelae so that early diagnosis and management can be facilitated.

The Blood Neutrophil Count After 1 Month of Treatment Predicts the Radiologic Severity of Lung Disease at Treatment End

BACKGROUND

Lung disease after tuberculous confers significant morbidity. However, the determinants of persistent lung damage in TB are not well established. We investigated associations between TB-associated radiologic changes and sociodemographic factors, surrogates of bacillary burden, and blood inflammatory markers at initiation of therapy and after 1 month.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the predictors of radiologic severity at the end of TB treatment for TB?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We collected data from patients treated for drug-sensitive pulmonary TB at our center over a 5.5-year period. We recorded age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, symptom duration, sputum smear grade, time to culture positivity, and blood results (C-reactive protein and neutrophil count) at baseline and after 1 month of treatment. Chest radiographs obtained at baseline, 2 months, and end of treatment were assessed independently by two radiologists and scored using a validated system. Relationships between predictor variables and radiologic outcomes were assessed using linear or binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

We assessed 154 individuals with a mean age of 37 years, 63% of whom were men. In a multivariate analysis, baseline radiologic severity correlated with sputum smear grade (P = 0.003) and neutrophil count (P < 0.001). At end of treatment, only the 1-month neutrophil count was associated significantly with overall radiologic severity in the multivariate analysis (r = 0.34; P = 0.003) and remained significant after controlling for baseline radiologic scores. The 1-month neutrophil count also was the only independent correlate of volume loss and pleural thickening at the end of treatment and was significantly higher in patients with persistent cavitation or effusion vs those without.

INTERPRETATION

Persistent neutrophilic inflammation after 1 month of TB therapy is associated with poor radiologic outcome, suggesting a target for interventions to minimize lung disease after tuberculous.

Study to identify incidence and risk factors associated Residual pleural opacity in tubercular pleural effusion

INTRODUCTION

Residual pleural opacity (RPO) is a common radiographic sequela in patients with tubercular pleural effusion at the end of the treatment. This study was designed to find out the risk factors associated with residual pleural opacity (RPO).

MATERIALS & METHODS

This was a prospective longitudinal study performed to analyse data of 56 patients (46 males & 10 females) who were diagnosed as tubercular pleural effusion and treated for the same between 1st Jan 2019 to 30th March 2020. Chest X-ray posteroanterior & Lateral view was done (performed) at 0 and 6 months of treatment to quantify the amount of pleural effusion and measured the residual pleural opacity at the end of the treatment. RPO included both non resolving pleural effusion as well as residual pleural thickening (RPT). All statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore the association of risk factors and Residual pleural opacity. The statistical significance level was set at 0.05 (two-tailed).

RESULTS

The incidence of Residual pleural opacity (RPO) at the end of 6 months of antituberculosis treatment was 53.57% (30/56)). The study patients were divided into RPO and non- RPO group. Male gender had significantly higher incidence of RPO (93.3% vs 69.2% P = 0.01)). Patients with RPO group had significantly more cough and weight loss as compared to non RPO group (96.6% vs 65.3% P = 0.002 and 60% vs 23% P = 0.005). The proportion of patients who underwent therapeutic aspiration and gained weight of more than 5kg during treatment (19.5% vs 7.6% P = 0.02 & 46.6% vs 7.6% P = 0.001) was significantly higher in RPO group. A significantly lower protein, glucose and higher LDH level in pleural fluid was observed in the RPO group compared to non-RPO group (P = 0.006, P = 0.01, P = 0.001)). No significant difference was found in the pleural fluid ADA, lymphocyte, neutrophil levels between the two groups (p > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the male gender, low pleural fluid glucose, presence of cough and weight loss were associated with significantly increased risk of residual pleural opacity and thickening (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Tubercular pleural effusion is associated with residual pleural opacity in more than half of the patients. Male gender and low glucose levels in pleural fluid was associated with increased risk of residual pleural opacity.

Identification of risk factors for radiological sequelae in patients treated for pulmonary tuberculosis: Prospective observational cohort study

OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

This study is designed to assess risk factors & magnitude of residual radiological lesion in patients treated for pulmonary tuberculosis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective observational cohort study which included patients who were newly diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis and have completed 6 months of treatment.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Categorical data were expressed as proportion and continuous data were expressed as mean ± SD. The obtained data were analysed by means of frequency distribution table and descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill, USA) and Chi-square test and student t test were used for statistical analysis. We assessed association between risk factors and development of radiological sequelae, using univariate statistical analysis and odds ratio. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Data from 128 patients was used for analysis. The average age in this cohort was 32.84 ± 17.47 years and 68.75% patients were male. Residual x-ray lesions were observed in 92 (71.87%) cases out of 128 study patients. 72.82% of residual lesions appeared as parenchymal fibrosis, 13.04% as bronchiectasis, 2.17% as cavity & 3.26% appeared as calcification. Patients with advanced lesions (34.78% vs 16.66%), bilateral lesions (29.34% vs 11.11%) or cavity (18.47% vs 2.77%) in chest x-ray or Sputum smear positivity for AFB were found to have significant radiological sequelae. Among the variables associated with the risk of having pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae were cavity (OR: 7.03), sputum smear positive for AFB (OR: 4.03), Advanced lesions (OR: 3.38) & bilateral lesions (OR: 2.90) in chest x-ray.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that a large number of patients remain with residual radiological sequelae despite good clinical response. Patients with extensive lesions, presence of cavity or bilateral involvement in chest x-ray and sputum smear positive for acid fast bacilli were often associated with residual radiological opacity.

Aftermath of pulmonary tuberculosis: computed tomography assessment

Purpose

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) has clinically significant sequelae, even after recommended treatment completion. It is important to recognise these sequelae for accurate assessment of severity and treatment planning, if indicated.

Material and methods

We retrospectively analysed contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans of chest of 100 patients with previous history of treated pulmonary tuberculosis, excluding those with active pulmonary disease. CT findings were analysed based on parenchymal, airway, pleural, mediastinal, and vascular sequelae of PTB.

Results

Parenchymal sequelae included fibrosis with architectural distortion and volume loss (90%), cavities (21%) (with aspergillomas noted in 19% of these cases), and tuberculomas (54%). Airway involvement was noted as bronchiectasis (77%) and bronchial stenosis (4%) but none with broncholithiasis. Mediastinal sequelae included lymph node calcification (74%), fibrosing mediastinitis (1%), and pericardial tuberculosis (2%). Pleural sequelae included pleural thickening (22%), with 40.9% of these patients showing calcifications, and one patient with chronic chylous pleural effusion. Vascular sequelae included Rasmussen aneurysms (4%), enlarged bronchial arteries (3%), and systemic bronchial collaterals in 1% of our patients.

Conclusions

PTB has multiple appalling sequelae, which require due attention and appropriate treatment in symptomatic cases. Radiological evaluation forms an integral part in patient assessment and decision making.

The Correlation between Levels of Transforming Growth Factor-β with Pulmonary Fibrosis in Post Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Medan, North Sumatera - Indonesia

BACKGROUND:

Untreated or undertreated, pulmonary tuberculosis could cause severe complications until death. After treatment, residual lesions might occur. The presence of residual lesions is varied, including fibrosis, cavity, bronchiectasis and calcification. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a cytokine associated with lung inflammation, which plays a role in lung fibrosis. However, only a few studies have assessed the serum level of TGF-β in post-treatment tuberculosis patients.

AIM:

The main objective of this study was to determine the correlation between TGF-β levels and pulmonary fibrosis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

DESIGN:

A group of 51 patients that had undergone anti-tuberculosis treatment were observed, consisting of 31 men, 20 women. Of all patients, there were 26 people with a smoking history, including 25 men and 1 woman. All patients had been recovered, confirmed by the clinical state, laboratory and radiology examination. The ELISA test was performed to measure TGF-β level, while the chest X-ray was used to look for the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis.

RESULTS:

The mean level of TGF-β in patients with a lesion (+) was 7628.02 (SD: ± 4928.38) while the mean level of TGF-β in patients with a lesion (-) was 2315.11 (SD: ± 505.83). The statistical test showed a significant relationship between TGF-β level and fibrosis lesion (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

TGF-β level was significantly higher in post-tuberculosis patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Sequelae of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The sequelae of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) are poorly understood and inconsistently reported. We will aim to assess the existing evidence for the clinical, psychological, social and economic sequelae of MDR-TB and to assess the health-related quality of life in patients with MDR-TB.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies reporting sequelae of MDR-TB. We will search PubMed, SCOPUS, ProQuest, Web of Science and PsychINFO databases up to 5 September 2017. MDR-TB sequelae will include any clinical, psychological, social and economic effects as well as health-related quality of life that occur after MDR-TB treatment or illness. Two researchers will screen the titles and abstracts of all citations identified in our search, extract data, and assess the scientific quality using standardised formats. Providing there is appropriate comparability in the studies, we will use a random-effects meta-analysis model to produce pooled estimates of MDR-TB sequelae from the included studies. We will stratify the analyses based on treatment regimen, comorbidities (such as HIV status and diabetes mellitus), previous TB treatment history and study setting.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

As this study will be based on published data, ethical approval is not required. The final report will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and will also be presented at relevant conferences.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42017073182.

Sequelae of pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at the completion of treatment

BACKGROUND

Treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) mainly focuses on bacteriological cure. However, only limited studies have evaluated the sequelae left after the completion of treatment among MDR-TB patients.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the persistent symptoms, radiological sequelae, pulmonary function impairment and quality of life at the completion of treatment among MDR-TB patients.

METHODS

Forty six MDR-TB patients were enrolled, who completed two years of treatment under programmatic management of Drug Resistant tuberculosis at a tertiary referral institute in Delhi, India. Detailed clinical history was taken. X-ray chest, 6 Minute Walk Test and pulmonary function tests were attempted in all patients. Quality of life was evaluated using Seattle obstructive lung disease questionnaire.

RESULTS

At the completion of MDR-TB treatment 95.7% patients had residual symptoms; 100% patients had residual bilateral chest x-ray abnormality with 82.6% patients showing far advanced disease. PFT was abnormal in 97.6% patients with mixed pattern being the commonest abnormality. Quality of Life was impaired with mean physical function of 46%.

CONCLUSION

At the completion of MDR-TB treatment, significant numbers of patients are left with post treatment sequelae. The medical management and social support for these patients should be incorporated in the national programs.

A Systematic Review of the Prevalence and Pattern of Imaging Defined Post-TB Lung Disease

Background

Tuberculosis is an important risk factor for chronic respiratory disease in resource poor settings. The persistence of abnormal spirometry and symptoms after treatment are well described, but the structural abnormalities underlying these changes remain poorly defined, limiting our ability to phenotype post-TB lung disease in to meaningful categories for clinical management, prognostication, and ongoing research. The relationship between post-TB lung damage and patient-centred outcomes including functional impairment, respiratory symptoms, and health related quality of life also remains unclear.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review to determine the prevalence and pattern of imaging-defined lung pathology in adults after medical treatment for pleural, miliary, or pulmonary TB disease. Data were collected on study characteristics, and the modality, timing, and findings of thoracic imaging. The proportion of studies relating imaging findings to spirometry results and patient morbidity was recorded. Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottowa score. (Prospero Registration number CRD42015027958)

Results

We identified 37 eligible studies. The principle features seen on CXR were cavitation (8.3–83.7%), bronchiectasis (4.3–11.2%), and fibrosis (25.0–70.4%), but prevalence was highly variable. CT imaging identified a wider range of residual abnormalities than CXR, including nodules (25.0–55.8%), consolidation (3.7–19.2%), and emphysema (15.0–45.0%). The prevalence of cavitation was generally lower (7.4–34.6%) and bronchiectasis higher (35.0–86.0%) on CT vs. CXR imaging. A paucity of prospective data, and data from HIV-infected adults and sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) was noted. Few studies related structural damage to physiological impairment, respiratory symptoms, or patient morbidity.

Conclusions

Post-TB structural lung pathology is common. Prospective data are required to determine the evolution of this lung damage and its associated morbidity over time. Further data are required from HIV-infected groups and those living in sSA.