Background There is scarce knowledge on the prevalence of diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Pakistan. In the absence of culture and identification, acid-fast bacilli (AFB) causing NTM disease are liable to be misinterpreted as tuberculosis (TB). Introduction of nucleic acid amplification testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) offers improved diagnostic accuracy, compared with smear microscopy, and also assists in differentiating MTBC from other mycobacteria. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NTM among patients investigated for TB and describe NTM disease and treatment outcomes at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Methods This is a retrospective study, data on NTM isolates among culture-positive clinical samples over 4 years (2016–19) was retrieved from laboratory records. Information on clinical specimens processed, AFB smear results, and for the AFB positive isolates, results of species identification for MTBC, and for NTM isolates, results of species characterization and drug susceptibility testing was collected. Additional clinical data including patient characteristics, treatment regimens, and outcomes were collected for patients with NTM disease treated at Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore. Results During the study period, 12,561 clinical specimens were processed for mycobacterial culture and 3673 (29%) were reported positive for AFB. Among these 3482 (95%) were identified as MTBC and 191 (5%) as NTM. Among NTM, 169 (88%) were isolated from pulmonary and 22 (12%) from extrapulmonary specimens. Results of NTM speciation were available for 60 isolates and included 55% (n = 33) M. avium complex and 25% (n = 15) M. abscesses. Among these patients, complete clinical records were retrieved for 12 patients with pulmonary disease including nine infected with M. avium complex and three with M. abscessus. All 12 patients had a history of poor response to standard first-line anti-TB treatment. Ten patients were cured after 18 months of treatment, whereas, one with M. abscessus infection died and another was lost to follow up. Conclusion In TB endemic areas, NTM can be misdiagnosed as pulmonary TB leading to repeated failed anti-TB treatment and increased morbidity, emphasizing the need for improved diagnosis.
CPRs and a low A-a gradient were useful in excluding PE in cancer patients. There is a need for prospective trials to validate these results.
Background: Multiple western studies have focused on anemia in COPD and observed that anemia is more prevalent in COPD patients than Polycythemia. Anemia significantly increases the morbidity and deteriorates the functional status of COPD patients. Objectives: The objective of current study was to determine the frequency of anemia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients present in a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Retrospective Material and Methods: Two hundred COPD patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. Hemoglobin (Hb) level test was done on all patients. Hb level was calculated by Automated Blood Cell Analyzer and anemia was labeled at Hb<13g/dL Results: The mean of patients’ age was 56.65+ 7.95 years. 181 (90.5%) patients were male and 19 (9.5%) patients were female. The mean Hemoglobin level (Hb) of the patients was 13.46 + 1.45 g/dL. 48 patients (24%) were anemic and 152 patients (76%) were non anemic. Conclusion: The conclusion of the study is there is frequent occurrence of anemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as in current study the frequency of anemia was found in 24.0% patients. Keywords: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Anemia, Frequency
Background: Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health concern and burden on developing countries economy. Pakistan ranks in top 10 countries of the world with high load of TB and a big chunk of this disease process is extra pulmonary TB (EPTB). Among extra pulmonary sites, is bone and joint TB is very common yet under reported. Recent literature has found up to 35% of all extra pulmonary cases are bone and joint TB. Purpose: We aim to do an analysis of frequency of bone and joint TB in our institution in all new patients getting registered for treatment of TB. Methodology: This was retrospective analysis 8 years of Data collected in Gulab Devi Hospital Lahore. Data was analyzed using Microsoft excel software and results are tabulated. Findings: Total number of new registered patients of Extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) were 13000 (20%). Out of these EPTB patients, bone and joint TB diagnosis was made in 690(5.3%) patients. Out of these 690 patients, 400 (58%) cases were recorded in Indoor facility and 290 (42%) cases were seen in outdoor facility. Most common site is Spine 340 cases (85%) followed by Hip joint 16 cases (4%), knee joint 12 cases (3%) and upper limb 16 cases (4%). Practical Implication: Regarding management of newly registered cases, Gulab Devi hospital is working in collaboration with world Health Organization TB control program and Provincial TB control Program Punjab (PTP). All new cases are managed by multi-disciplinary team and after initial registration are referred to their relevant specialties. Conclusion: Axial skeleton remains the most common site in al literature and so is the conclusion of our analysis. Detailed research work is still needed in several aspects of this ancient disease to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with it. Keywords: Bone and joint TB, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Extra pulmonary Tuberculosis
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