Assessing the utility of Truenat in extrapulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis - A NRL's experience

Background

Diagnosis of extra pulmonary TB (EPTB) remains a big challenge. While data on utility of Xpert testing in EPTB diagnosis is enormous, there is limited data on Truenat MTB testing.

Aim

In this study we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of Truenat in EPTB diagnosis.

Materials and methods

The study included patients suspected and/or treated for EPTB located from Chennai district during the year 2021-2022. All processed EPTB samples were subjected to smear microscopy, culture and Truenat MTB testing.

Results

Of the 195 samples tested, 38 (19.4%) samples were positive for EPTB by any one of the diagnostic methods (smear, culture, microscopy). Out of these 38, 16 (42.1 %) were positive for MTB by Truenat and negative by Culture, 12 (31.5%) were positive by culture but negative by Truenat and 8 (21%) were positive by both Truenat and/or smear and culture. The sensitivity and specificity of the test was calculated with the composite reference standard (Culture (exclusion of colonies as positives), clinical conditions, and smear) and was found to be 60% and 100% respectively.

Conclusion

Truenat MTB test is a cost-effective rapid molecular test that can be used only for the diagnosis of presumptive EPTB and not on follow-up samples.

Incremental yield of serial sputum examinations in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Taiwan: Findings of a pragmatic trial

BACKGROUND

Presumptive tuberculosis (TB) cases commonly had two to three sputum examinations in Taiwan. The incremental yield of serial sputum examinations has not been assessed before.

METHODS

In a pragmatic trial, presumptive TB patients with a frontline nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) were classified as group A. Those without a frontline NAAT were randomized into group B frontline NAAT as intervention, and group C usual care. We investigated expected incremental yields and the number of examinations required for detection of one additional TB case from each serial sputum smear and culture.

RESULTS

Of 6835 presumptive TB cases, 395 (5.8%) were smear positive for acid-fast bacilli, and 195 (2.8%) culture positive for M tuberculosis. The expected incremental yield from a third smear was 3.5% and examination of 1712 (95% credibility interval 586-4706) third smears was required to detected one additional TB case. Sensitivity of one smear with an NAAT in group B was 46.8% (95% confidence interval 32.1%-61.9%), and that of two smears in Group C 40.0% (95% confidence interval 25.7%-55.7%). The expected incremental yield from a third culture was 8.4%, and the number of third cultures required to detect one additional TB case was 394 (95% credibility interval 231-670).

CONCLUSIONS

The incremental yield of the third sputum smear was negligible. It may be reasonable to perform an NAAT, smear and culture on the first specimen and culture alone on the second. The utility of the third serial culture for the detection of additional TB case is debatable.

Analysis of treatment protocols using azithromycin eye drops for bacterial blepharitis: second report-bacteriological investigation

PURPOSE

To gain new insights into the etiology of blepharitis, we investigated the causative bacteria in patients with blepharitis and the effects of 1% azithromycin ophthalmic solution.

STUDY DESIGN

A multicenter, prospective observational study.

METHODS

After the subjects were diagnosed as having blepharitis they were administered 1% azithromycin ophthalmic solution for up to 14 days. Bacterial cultures and smear microscopic examinations of the eyelid margin were conducted at the initial visit, after administering eye drops, and 1 month after the end of eye drop administration. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of azithromycin were measured.

RESULTS

At the initial visit, the bacterial morphology determined by smear microscopic examinations coincided with that of strains isolated by culture taken from 22 of 45 patients. All detected bacteria were gram-positive, and Corynebacterium spp., Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus spp., and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated most commonly. Compared with the initial visit the number of isolated strains per eye decreased significantly at 7 days after the start of eye drop administration and 1 month after the end of eye drop administration. The azithromycin MICs were temporarily increased after the start of eye drops but then decreased.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that in blepharitis pathogenicity is characterized by increased strain numbers and amounts of indigenous bacteria. Administering a 1% azithromycin ophthalmic solution suppresses the number of bacterial strains within 1 month after the end of eye drop administration without increasing drug resistance.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-specific T cell responses in smear- negative pulmonary tuberculosis patients

Despite recent improvements in microbial detection, smear negative TB remains a diagnostic challenge. In this study, we investigated the potential discriminatory role of polychromatic flow cytometry of M. tuberculosis antigen-specific T cells to discriminate smear negative TB from health controls with or without latent TB infection, and non-TB respiratory illnesses in an endemic setting. A cross-sectional study was conducted on HIV negative, newly diagnosed smear-positive PTB (n=34), smear-negative/Gene Expert negative PTB (n=29) patients, non-TB patients with respiratory illness (n=33) and apparently healthy latent TB infected (n = 30) or non-infected (n = 23) individuals. The expression of activation (HLA-DR, CD-38), proliferation (Ki-67) and functional (IFN-γ, TNF-α) T cell markers using polychromatic flow cytometry was defined after stimulation with PPD antigens. Sputum samples were collected and processed from all patients for Mtb detection using a concentrated microscopy, LJ/MGIT culture, and RD9 typing by PCR. Our study showed CD4 T cells specific for PPD co-expressed activation/proliferation markers together with induced cytokines IFNγ or TNFα were present at substantially higher levels among patients with smear positive and smear negative pulmonary TB than among healthy controls and to a lesser extent among patients with non-TB illness. Our study conclude that Smear negative TB can be distinguished from non-TB respiratory illness and healthy controls with a flow cytometric assay for PPD-specific T cells co-expressing activation/proliferation markers and cytokines.

Usefulness of gastric aspirate for the diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis

INTRODUCTION

Gastric aspirate can be useful for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in patients with smear-negative pulmonary TB or without sputum production. The gastric aspirate smear technique has low sensitivity, and a previous report demonstrated that no patient was diagnosed by only gastric aspirate analysis. However, some patients with TB have been negative on sputum examination but positive on gastric aspirate examination, and the incidence of such cases is uncertain. Therefore, this study investigated the usefulness of gastric aspirate in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB.

METHODS

To analyze the diagnostic accuracy of gastric aspirate examination, the data of 513 patients with negative sputum smears or a lack of sputum production, including 203 patients with pulmonary TB (39.6%) and 93 patients with nontuberculous mycobacteriosis who underwent gastric aspiration at Fukujuji Hospital from January 2016 to March 2021, were collected retrospectively.

RESULTS

The accuracy rates of gastric aspirate examination for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB were as follows: 21.2% sensitivity and 91.9% specificity for smear positivity, 55.8% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity for nucleic acid amplification test positivity, and 71.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity for culture positivity. Twenty-three patients (11.2%) were diagnosed by gastric aspirate examination alone. Among the 356 patients who underwent three repeated sputum examinations in addition to gastric aspirate examination, the cumulative diagnostic rate for the 3 mycobacterial examinations plus gastric aspirate examination was higher than that for only three sputum examinations.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric aspirate is useful for the diagnosis of TB in patients with smear-negative pulmonary TB or without sputum production.

Tuberculosis treatment outcomes among people living with HIV diagnosed using Xpert MTB/RIF versus sputum-smear microscopy in Botswana: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial

Background

Xpert® MTB/RIF (Xpert) has high sensitivity for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) compared to sputum-smear microscopy (smear) and can reduce time-to-diagnosis, time-to-treatment and potentially unfavorable patient-level treatment outcome.

Methods

People living with HIV (PLHIV) initiating antiretroviral therapy at 22 HIV clinics were enrolled and underwent systematic screening for TB (August 2012–November 2014). GeneXpert instruments were deployed following a stepped-wedge design at 13 centers from October 2012–June 2013. Treatment outcomes classified as an unfavorable outcome (died, treatment failure or loss-to-follow-up) or favorable outcome (cured and treatment completed). To determine outcome, smear was performed at month 5 or 6. Empiric treatment was defined as initiating treatment without/before receiving TB-positive results. Adjusting for intra-facility correlation, we compared patient-level treatment outcomes between patients screened using smear (smear arm)- and Xpert-based algorithms (Xpert arm).

Results

Among 6041 patients enrolled (smear arm, 1816; Xpert arm, 4225), 256 (199 per 2985 and 57 per 1582 person-years of follow-up in Xpert and smear arms, respectively; adjusted incidence rate ratio, 9.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.70–17.48; p < 0.001) received TB diagnosis and were treated. TB treatment outcomes were available for 203 patients (79.3%; Xpert, 157; smear, 46). Unfavorable outcomes were reported for 21.7% (10/46) in the smear and 13.4% (21/157) in Xpert arm (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% CI: 0.75–2.26; p = 0.268). Compared to smear, in Xpert arm median days from sputum collection to TB treatment was 6 days (interquartile range [IQR] 2–17 versus 22 days [IQR] 3–51), p = 0.005; patients with available sputum test result had microbiologically confirmed TB in 59.0% (102/173) versus 41.9% (18/43), adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 2.00, 95% CI: 1.01–3.96, p = 0.048). In smear arm empiric treatment was 68.4% (39/57) versus 48.7% (97/199), aOR, 2.28, 95% CI: 1.24–4.20, p = 0.011), compared to Xpert arm.

Conclusions

TB treatment outcomes were similar between the smear and Xpert arms. However, compared to the smear arm, more patients in the Xpert arm received a TB diagnosis, had a microbiologically confirmed TB, and had a shorter time-to-treatment, and had a lower empiric treatment. Further research is recommended to identify potential gaps in the Botswana health system and similar settings.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02538952. Retrospectively registered on 2 September 2015.

The Utility of Intraoperative Cytological Smear and Frozen Section in the Surgical Management of Patients with Cushing's Disease due to Pituitary Microadenomas

Cushing's disease (CD) is most commonly caused by a microadenoma, which at surgical exploration may not provide adequate tissue for pathologic diagnosis using standard techniques. We wished to determine the accuracy of intraoperative pathologic examination and whether the addition of intraoperative cytology increased the diagnostic yield. We reviewed the pathology reports from 403 operations on 341 patients with CD microadenomas from a single institution. The concordance rates of intraoperative diagnoses (cytology and frozen) with the final (paraffin section) pathological diagnosis were calculated. The overall pathologic confirmation of an adenoma (by either cytology, frozen, or paraffin section) was compared with the result from a historical cohort (using only standard frozen section analysis but not intraoperative cytology) and the pooled result from a meta-analysis of previously published data. The concordance rate between frozen section diagnosis and paraffin section histology was 390/403 (96.8%). The concordance rate between cytological smear and paraffin section histology was 213/246 (86.6%). In 54 cases (13.4%) with ultimate remission, pathologic confirmation was obtained only on intraoperative pathology (frozen section or cytology). Overall, pathologic confirmation was obtained in 326 operations (80.9%) by at least one pathological modality. The overall pathological confirmation of an adenoma was greater after the introduction of intraoperative cytology when compared with the historical control (67.1%, p = 0.015), and compared with the pooled rate of published data from the meta-analysis (72.1%, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that addition of intraoperative cytological analyses during surgery for CD is an additional useful diagnostic tool for both neurosurgeons and pathologists.

[Interval between two smear tests for cervical cancer screening and characteristics of women with a short interval: Study in the department of Isère]

AIMS

In France, guidelines for cervical cancer screening recommend that women between the ages of 25-65 have a smear test performed once every three years. However, some women are screened significantly more frequently. In this study, we used a data-driven approach as opposed to a traditional hypothesis-driven approach to characterise the population of women who are screened more frequently than advised.

METHODS

Data came from an organised cervical cancer screening programme of a French department in the Alps (Isère). We retrospectively selected women aged between 25 to 65 years old who had at least two smear tests during the follow up period (2011-2015). We used a data-driven clustering approach to compare the population of over-screened women with other populations. We then performed a descriptive analysis of the over-screened population using univariate (Chi² test) and multivariate (logistic regression) methods.

RESULTS

A total of 10,000 patients were randomly chosen from a population of 54,073. In our univariate analysis, women in the over-screened population were significantly younger, participated less in organised screening, were more likely to be followed by a gynaecologist and had more smear test results showing inflammation than the other populations. Patient location (urban v.s. rural area) was not significant for this population. The multivariate analysis confirmed these results.

CONCLUSION

This data-driven approach based on an unsupervised learning method enables us to more accurately characterise the over-screened population. These data invite to improve communication with the youngest women and the gynecologists to recall the benefit of an interval between two normal smears complying with the recommendations. This approach could help to improve the prevention and have a real impact on this Public Health issue.

Strong association between cervical and breast cancer screening behaviour among Danish women; A register-based cohort study

High coverage is essential for the effectiveness of national screening programmes. Identifying non-screeners across different screening programmes may help inform strategies to improve uptake. This study aims to analyse the association between previous cervical cancer screening (CCS) coverage and participation in breast cancer screening (BCS). This historical register-based cohort study included 91,787 Danish women aged 50-64 years who were invited to participate in the first organised round of BCS in the Central Denmark Region (CDR) in 2008-09. CCS coverage was defined as having a smear registered in the 5 1/2 years preceding the BCS, and BCS participants were divided into participants and non-participants and further categorised as active non-participants (ANP) if they cancelled and passive non-participants (PNP) if they abstained from the appointment. Of all 91,787 women included in the study, 62,391 (68%) were covered both by CCS and participated in BCS. Women not covered by CCS were more likely to be non-participants in BCS than women covered by CCS (PRRadjusted = 2.80, 95% CI: 2.68-2.93). Both PNP (PRRadjusted = 3.99, 95% CI: 3.80-4.19) and ANP (PRRadjusted = 2.50, 95% CI: 2.34-2.68) were more likely not to be covered by the CCS. In conclusion, non-coverage by CCS was strongly associated with nonparticipation in BCS. Specific groups of women only participated in one screening programme. To increase uptake, future interventions may specifically target these groups.

Comparison of liquid-based cytology (CellPrepPlus) and conventional smears in pancreaticobiliary disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUSFNA) and brushing cytology are used worldwide to diagnose pancreatic and biliary malignant tumors. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) has been developed and it is currently used to overcome the limitations of conventional smears (CS). In this study, the authors aimed to compare the diagnostic value of the CellPrepPlus (CP; Biodyne) LBC method with CS in samples obtained using EUS-FNA and brushing cytology.

METHODS

This study prospectively enrolled 75 patients with pancreatic or biliary lesions from June 2012 to October 2013. For cytological analyses, including inadequate specimens, benign and atypical were further classified into benign, and suspicious and malignant were subcategorized as malignant. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were evaluated.

RESULTS

In the EUS-FNA based cytological analysis of pancreatic specimens, CP had a sensitivity of 60.7%; specificity, 100%; accuracy, 77.1%; PPV, 100%; and NPV, 64.5%. CS had a sensitivity of 85.7%; specificity, 100%; accuracy, 91.7%; PPV, 100%; and NPV, 83.3%. In the brushing cytology based analysis of biliary specimens, CP had sensitivity of 53.1%; specificity, 100%; accuracy, 54.5%; PPV, 100%; and NPV, 6.3%. CS had a sensitivity of 78.1%; specificity, 100%; accuracy, 78.8%; PPV, 100%; and NPV, 12.5%.

CONCLUSION

Our study found that CP had a lower sensitivity because of low cellularity compared with CS. Therefore, CP (LBC) has a lower diagnostic accuracy for pancreatic EUS-FNA based and biliary brush cytology based analyses compared with CS.

Diagnostic performance and problem analysis of commercial tuberculosis antibody detection kits in China

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of bacterium-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and extra-pulmonary TB is challenging clinically. The detection of the anti-TB antibody has an important, auxiliary, clinical diagnostic value. Therefore, TB antibody detection kits should be screened and evaluated, and the reagents with the highest sensitivity and specificity should be chosen and used clinically.

METHODS

The diagnostic performance of 7 commercially available TB antibody detection kits (kits A, B, C, D, E, F and G) based on the gold immunoassay detection of immunoglobulin (Ig) G or IgM antibodies were simultaneously evaluated and compared in 62 TB cases and 56 non-TB cases in a laboratory. A retrospective analysis including 2549 cases was carried out to assess the clinical diagnosis values of bacteriological examinations and TB antibody tests (kits B and H used in the clinic).

RESULTS

The sensitivities of TB antibody kits A, B, C, D, E, F and G in the sera from 62 TB patients were 50.0%, 83.9%, 38.7%, 9.7%, 48.4%, 69.4% and 79.0%, respectively; the sensitivities in the sera from 24 smear-negative TB patients were 29.2%, 79.2%, 29.2%, 12.5%, 29.2%, 54.2% and 79.2%, respectively; the specificities in the sera from 56 non-TB patients were 73.2%, 25.0%, 85.7%, 96.4%, 78.6%, 78.6% and 50.0%, respectively. Of the 2549 clinically diagnosed cases, there were 1752 pulmonary TB cases, 505 extra-pulmonary TB cases, 87 old pulmonary TB cases and 205 non-TB cases. The positive results for smear, culture, TB antibody kit B and kit H in pulmonary TB cases were 39.8% (543/1365), 48.6% (372/765), 45.8% (802/1752) and 25.2% (442/1752), respectively; the results in extra-pulmonary TB cases were 3.4% (6/178), 5.8% (4/69), 35.4% (179/505), and 11.3% (57/505), respectively; the results in old pulmonary TB cases were 0% (0/64), 0% (0/30), 32.2% (28/87), and 9.2% (8/87), respectively; and the results in non-TB cases were 0% (0/121), 0% (0/56), 21.5% (44/205), and 2.4% (5/205), respectively. Of 624 smear-positive and/or culture-positive pulmonary TB cases, the sensitivities of antibody test kits B and H were 53.0% and 36.4%, respectively. Of 901 smear-negative and/or culture-negative pulmonary TB cases, the sensitivities of antibody test kits B and H were 42.5% and 19.0%, respectively. The positive rate of antibody detection in the bacterium-positive pulmonary TB cases was significantly higher than that in the bacterium-negative pulmonary TB cases (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The colloidal gold-labeled TB antibody IgG detection assay is a simple, rapid and economical method that provides a better clinical auxiliary diagnosis value on TB, especially in smear-negative pulmonary TB and extra-pulmonary TB. The production, quality control, screening and evaluation of antibody detection kits are very important for its clinical application.

Approaches for Analysis of Erythroid Cell Parameters and Hemoglobinopathies in Mouse Models

Over the last decades several mouse models of human hemoglobin disorders have been and continue to be generated. This chapter aims at describing various approaches to evaluate the global red blood cell properties in mouse models of human hemoglobin disorders, in particular thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Analysis of erythroid parameters provides insights into the RBC physiologic or pathophysiologic status. Mice expressing both murine and human globin genes can be investigated using adapted protocols provided herein.

P. falciparum malaria prevalence among blood donors in Bamako, Mali

AIM

Malaria parasite is usually transmitted to humans by Anopheles mosquitoes but it can also be transmitted through blood transfusion. Usually malaria transmission is low in African urban settings. In West Africa where the P. falciparum is the most predominant malaria species, there are limited measures to reduce the risk of blood transfusion malaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of P. falciparum malaria carriage among blood donors in the National Blood Center of Bamako, capital city of Mali.

METHODS

The study was conducted using a random sample of 946 blood donors in Bamako, Mali, from January to December 2011. Screening for malaria was performed by thick smear and rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Blood group was typed by Beth-Vincent and Simonin techniques.

RESULTS

The frequency of malaria infection was 1.4% by thick smear and 0.8% by the RDT. The pick prevalence of P. falciparum malaria was in rainy season, indicating a probable high seasonal risk of malaria by blood transfusion, in Mali. The prevalence of P. falciparum infection was 2% among donors of group O the majority being in this group.

CONCLUSION

There is a seasonal prevalence of malaria among blood donors in Bamako. A prevention strategy of transfusion malaria based on the combination of selection of blood donors through the medical interview, promoting a voluntary low-risk blood donation and screening all blood bags intended to be transfused to children under 5, pregnant women and immune-compromised patients during transmission season using thick smear will reduce the risk of transfusion malaria in Mali.

Efficacy of Sodium Hypochlorite Activated With Laser in Intracanal Smear Layer Removal: An SEM Study

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite activated with laser in removing of the smear layer in the apical, middle, and coronal segments of root canal walls by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Methods: Sixty single-rooted human mandibular teeth were decoronated to a standardized length. The samples were prepared by using Race rotary system to size 40, 0.04 taper and divided into 4 equal groups (n = 15). Group 1, irrigated with EDTA 17% and 5.25% NaOCl, groups 2, 3 and 4, 1%, 2.5%, and 5% NaOCl activated with Nd:YAG laser, respectively. Teeth were split longitudinally and subjected to scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney tests. P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Five percent NaOCl LAI (laser-activated irrigation) showed best smear layer removal in test groups and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Control group (EDTA 17% and 5.25% NaOCl irrigation) showed significantly better outcomes in comparative with test groups (P < 0.001). In the apical third, compared to coronal and middle third, the canal walls were often contaminated by inorganic debris and smear layer. Conclusion: All different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite activated with laser have a positive effect on removing of smear layer. Sodium hypochlorite activated with laser removed smear layer more effectively at the coronal and middle third compared to the apical third.

[Feasibility of cervical smear in HIV-positive women living in Chad]

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancerrelated death in Sub-Saharan African women. HIV-infected women are at increased risk for cervical intraepithelial lesions and invasive cervical cancer. WHO guidelines for screening and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions are regularly actualized. There are no data on cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions in Chad. Between August 2013 and May 2015, screening for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions was proposed to HIV-infected women living in Moundou (Chad). Cytology examination was performed after with Papanicolaou coloration. Three hundred and eleven HIV-seropositive women accepted the screening without refusal. Mean age of the patients was 38 years (95% Confidence Interval: 37.7-39.9). The women declared a mean of 4.1 pregnancies (range: 0-12). The patients had been followed-up for their seropositivity for 8 years (range: 0-25). All were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Of the patients whose results were known (N = 231), 98% had a CD4 lymphocyte nadir count less than 350/mm(3). Cytological results were as follows: normal smear (N = 59; 19%), inflammatory or hemorrhagic smear (N = 139; 44%), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (N = 58; 19%), high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (N = 28; 9%), epidermoid carcinoma (N = 13; 4%), and uninterpretable smear (N = 14; 5%). The inflammatory lesions were due to cervicitis (N = 54), vaginosis (N = 22), and trichomonas infection (N = 3). The patients' age, CD4 lymphocyte nadir count, and CD4 count at the time of the cervical smear were not different according to the cytological results. Only five patients had a cone biopsy. Three patients deceased during the study of whom two from a gynaecological cancer diagnosed too late. The screening of dysplasia and cervical cancer in HIV-seropositive women is possible in Chad. In our study, 13% of the women had highgrade dysplasia or carcinoma needing curative care. We also showed that simple cytology did not permit the interpretation of half of the smears. The performance of cervical smear would have increased if it had been preceded by the visualization of the cervix with coloration.

Comparison of cytologic preparation methods in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

There are few studies about the diagnostic yield of cytologic preparation method of pancreatic samples obtained by Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of ThinPrep(®) and smear method in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

A total of 125 EUS-FNA procedures were performed between July 2010 and June 2015. Patients in group I (n = 36; July 2010 to June 2014) had cytology slides prepared by consecutive allocation of samples. Patients in group II (n = 12; July 2014 to June 2015) had cytology slides prepared by alternately allocation of samples.

RESULTS

There were 24 men and 24 women (median age: 67 years; range 39-84). The median size of lesions was 3.9 cm (range; 1.4-7.2 cm). The locations of the pancreatic cancer were 10 in head (20.8%), 21 in body (43.8%), and 17 in tail (35.4%). The ThinPrep(®) method confirmed malignancy in 35 of 48 cases (72.9%). On the other hand, the smear method confirmed malignancy in 44 of 48 cases (91.7%). The diagnostic yield of smear method was statistically higher than liquid method (P = 0.012). Also, smear method is superior to liquid method in both consecutive and alternative allocation method. ThinPrep(®) provided a correct diagnosis in one case where the smear method was incorrect.

CONCLUSIONS

Smear method was a superior preparation method to liquid method in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, even if splitting method was not used and variable allocation method was used.

Is colposcopic evaluation necessary in all women with postcoital bleeding?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate what extent postcoital bleeding (PCB) is an indicator of cervical cancer (CIN2 (+)).

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study. Between 2007 and 2013, amongst all referred patients, a total of 1491 consecutive women who had both conventional cytology and cervical biopsy were enrolled in the study. Of those 237 women have PCB, according to biopsy results, subjects were divided into two groups: CIN1 (-) and CIN2 (+). Multiple logistic regressions was used to construct a model to predict the occurrence of CIN 2 (+) based on age, menopause, marriage status, smoking, PCB, HPV and cytology.

RESULTS

Among the all women with CIN 2 (+) colposcopy guided biopsy result, PCB was 13.1% (53/406). The relationship between biopsy results and age, parity, menopausal status, marital status, smoking, presence of PCB, HPV DNA, and cytology is statistically significant (p=0.012, p=0.001, p=0.023, 0.013, p>0.001, p=0.038, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). According to regression analysis only smoking, HPV (+) and abnormal cytology increase the probability of CIN2 (+); 1.687 times (p=0.018), 4.065 times (p<0.001), 5.787 times (p=0.001) respectively. Having PCB only does not indicate an increased risk of CIN2 (+).

CONCLUSION

Colposcopic examination and biopsy should be performed only in the situation where women have PCB and any of the following: smoking, positive HPV, or abnormal cytology.

High resolution computed tomography findings in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis patients according to their culture status

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical features and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and to evaluate the correlation between these parameters and the culture results.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 78 active smear-negative PTB patients. They were divided into two groups according to their culture results. The HRCT findings and clinical features at the beginning of the antituberculosis treatment were reviewed.

RESULTS

The mean age was 22.48±3.18 years. Micronodules (87%), large nodules (63%) and centrilobular nodules (62%) were the most common HRCT findings. HRCT findings were observed in the right upper (72%), left upper (56%), right lower (32%), and left lower lobes (29%). Cough (37%) and chest pain (32%) were the most frequent symptoms at presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant differences in the HRCT findings and clinical features between the two groups. Thus, in cases of smear-negative and culture-negative PTB, the patient with compatible clinical and radiological features should be considered for tuberculosis treatment.

Real time PCR quantification of viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis from sputum samples treated with propidium monoazide

Diagnostic methods of TB, nowadays, are prone to delay in diagnosis, increased false negative results and are not sensitive to many forms of paucibacillary disease. The aims of this study were to implement a quantitative nucleic acid-based diagnostic test for paucibacillary tuberculosis, enabling the identification and quantification of viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR). The intergenic region of the single-copy inhA-mabA gene was chosen as the target region for design of primers and probes conjugated with fluorophores. The construction of synthetic DNA flanking the target region served as standards for absolute quantification of nucleic acids. Using the intercaling dye, propidium monoazide, we were able to discriminate between viable and dead cells of M. tuberculosis. The diagnosis method showed a broad sensitivity (96.1%) when only compared to samples of smear-positive sputum and ROC analyses shows that our approach performed well and yielded a specificity of 84.6% and a sensitivity of 84.6% when compared to M. tuberculosis colony-forming units counting.

Evaluation of Ziehl-Neelsen smear for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in childhood in a rural hospital in Ethiopia

The goal of this study is to describe the experience with smear microscopy examination for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) of spontaneous sputum from children in a district hospital located in a rural zone of Ethiopia. All sputum reports of children were retrospectively reviewed from July 2007 until June 2012. During the period of study, 875 children less than 15years old were screened and 48 (5.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.1-7.3%) were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis sputum smear positive. The mean age of the children with sputum positive for AFB was significantly higher than children with sputum negative for AFB (11.4 versus 10.4) (p=0.001). Only 1 out of 47 (1.3%) children of 6years or less had sputum positive for AFB. In 13- and 14-year-old children, 8.7% had sputum positive for AFB (20 of 229) (p=0.03). Spontaneous sputum has a low diagnostic yield in childhood in low-income countries. Alternative methods should be implemented in rural areas to improve diagnosis of pulmonary TB, particularly in children less than 12years old.