Posttransplant Tuberculosis

The impact of comorbidities on tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Poland: a national cohort study

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is a complex disease associated with other medical conditions, that may affect disease severity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of comorbidities on treatment outcomes and mortality rates in patients with TB in Poland.

Methods

We analyzed a national cohort of 19,217 adult TB patients diagnosed between 2011 and 2016 in Poland. We compared treatment success rates and mortality rates in patients with comorbidities and those without to assess the impact of various comorbidities on these outcomes. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated to quantify the association between comorbidities and TB treatment outcomes.

Results

Patients with comorbidities had lower treatment success rates and higher mortality rates. Diabetes was identified as a significant risk factor for increased TB mortality (OR = 1.9) and mortality from all other causes (OR = 4.5). Similar associations were found for alcoholism (OR = 8.3 and OR = 7.1), immunosuppressive therapy (OR = 5.7 and OR = 5.9), and cancer (OR = 3.4 and OR = 15.4). HIV and tobacco use were associated with an increased risk of mortality from causes other than TB, with odds ratios of 28.6 and 2.2, respectively. The overall treatment success rate in the study population was 88.0%, with 9.2% of patients failing to achieve treatment success and 2.8% dying. Comorbidities such as diabetes, alcoholism, substance addiction, immunosuppressive therapy, cancer, and tobacco use increased the risk of tuberculosis treatment failure.

Conclusion

Patients with comorbidities face a higher risk of unsuccessful treatment outcomes and increased mortality. It is essential to implement integrated management strategies that address both TB and comorbid conditions to improve treatment success rates and reduce mortality.

Fluoroquinolones for the treatment of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in liver transplantation

Solid organ transplantation (SOT) is the best treatment option for end-stage organ disease. Newer immunosuppressive agents have reduced the incidence of graft rejection but have increased the risk of infection, particularly due to the reactivation of latent infections due to opportunistic agents such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Active tuberculosis (TB) after SOT is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Most cases of posttransplant TB are secondary to reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) due to the effects of long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Risk minimization strategies have been developed to diagnose LTBI and initiate treatment prior to transplantation. Isoniazid with vitamin B6 supplementation is the treatment of choice. However, liver transplantation (LT) candidates and recipients have an increased risk of isoniazid-induced liver toxicity, leading to lower treatment completion rates than in other SOT populations. Fluoroquinolones (FQs) exhibit good in vitro antimycobacterial activity and a lower risk of drug-induced liver injury than isoniazid. In the present review, we highlight the disease burden posed by posttransplant TB and summarize the emerging clinical evidence supporting the use of FQs for the treatment of LTBI in LT recipients and candidates.

A case report of mucocutaneous tuberculosis after orthotopic liver transplantation: a challenging diagnosis

Background

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for high morbidity and mortality in immune-compromised hosts.

Case presentation

We present a rare case of cutaneous tuberculosis after orthotopic liver transplantation without involvement of any other organs.

Conclusion

TB risk-factors assessment, careful LTBI screening and treatment according to national guidelines, as well as a reduction in missed opportunity for prevention are necessary to avoid MTB related disease in fragile patients.