Objective To investigate the efficacy of freeze-driedcancellous allograft in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis. Methods From January 1999 to August 2004, there were 31 cases of spinal tuberculosis who underwent surgery. The freeze-dried cancellous allograft was used as grafting material in all the cases.The cancellous allograft was packed in a titanium mesh cage or an artificial vertebrae, and then used as a strut graft anteriorly to implant into the bone defect after the redical debridement, and the instrumentation was done. Results Twenty-three cases were followed up 1.5 years to 5 years (3.7 years on average), and bonyfusion was achieved in 21 cases 6 months later. In 2 cases ceasing antituberculous therapy after 2 months of operation, the local recurrence was obvious. The loosened screw was noticed in one of these two cases, who had tuberculosis in lumbar spine. When antituberculous therapy continued, the bony fusion was observed in these two cases 12 months later. No further position change of the instrument wasnoticed in the patient carrying loosened screw, but the kyphosis of the thoracolumbar spine aggravated. Conclusion Freeze-dried cancellous allograft could be usedin the treatment of spinal tuberculosis. To achieve good results of allograft incorporation and remodeling, the rigid instrumentation should be performed, postoperative antituberculous therapy is also important.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the gene polymorphism of autophagy-related gene 3 (ATG3) and the development and clinical symptoms of tuberculosis in tuberculosis patients in western China.MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 476 tuberculosis patients (tuberculosis group) who were admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University from December 2014 to November 2015 and 475 healthy controls (healthy control group) who underwent health examination during the same period were finally included. High-throughput genotyping technology was used to detect genotypes of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2638029, rs2638037, rs3732817) of ATG3 gene, and relevant clinical data of subjects were collected. The relationship between gene polymorphism and susceptibility to tuberculosis and clinical symptoms was analyzed by statistical methods such as χ2 test and logistic regression model.ResultsExcept for GA genotype [odds ratio (OR) =1.375, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.048, 1.805), P=0.022] and dominant genetic model GG+GA [OR=1.326, 95%CI (1.024, 1.717), P=0.032] in rs2638037, there was no statistically significant difference in the allele frequency, genotype and genetic patterns of rs2638029, rs3732817 and rs2638037 between the two groups (P>0.05), after the adjustment of the gender and age. But after correction by Bonferroni, GA genotype and dominant genetic patterns GG+GA showed no statistical significance between the two groups (P=0.132, 0.201). Haplotype CGA was associated with tuberculosis susceptibility [OR=1.262, 95%CI (1.001,1.593), P=0.048]. There was a statistically significant difference in weight loss symptoms among rs2638037 genotypes (χ2=8.131, P=0.017).ConclusionsThe haplotype CGA of three SNPs of ATG3 gene may be involved in the development of tuberculosis. The rs2638037 single nucleotide polymorphism may be related to weight loss, and more research is needed in the future.
Objective To explore the factors influencing 2-month sputum smear conversion (2m-SSC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and tuberculosis, and to establish a prediction model for 2m-SSC. Methods The initial and follow-up medical records of inpatients with SLE and sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from December 2013 to September 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Single factor analyses and multivariable Firth’s logistic regression were used to determine the influencing factors of 2m-SSC, and a prediction model for 2m-SSC was established. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated to evaluate the performance of the model. Results A total of 91 patients with SLE and sputum smear-positive tuberculosis were ultimately included, with 8 cases in the non-conversion group and 83 in the conversion group. There were statistically significant differences in white blood cell count, total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin (IBIL), triglyceride, and rheumatoid factor (RF) between the two groups (P<0.05). Serum RF [odds ratio (OR)=2.271, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.312, 4.350), P=0.003], IBIL [OR=2.363, 95%CI (1.206, 5.045), P=0.013], and glucose [OR=2.058, 95%CI (1.016, 4.280), P=0.045] were identified as risk factors unfavorable to 2m-SSC outcomes. The constructed model (including three variables: RF, IBIL, and glucose) had a good ability in predicting 2m-SSC [AUC=0.893, 95%CI (0.744, 1.000)], with a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 84.3%. Conclusion This study established a prediction model for 2m-SSC in patients with SLE and tuberculosis, and found the value of serum RF, IBIL, and glucose in predicting 2m-SSC, providing certain guidance for clinicians in treatment decisions.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the status of 3 types of delay (patient delay, diagnostic delay and treatment delay) among tuberculosis (TB) patients in China, to determine their associations with economic factors, and to provide guidance for policies regarding TB control. MethodsThe CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science databases were searched from January 1st, 2001, to December 31st, 2021, for cross-sectional studies related to the 3 types of delay among TB patients in China. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using R 4.1.3 software. ResultsA total of 22 cross-sectional studies involving 9 498 patients were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the pooled rates of patient delay, diagnostic delay and treatment delay were 41% (95% CI 34% to 48%), 36% (95% CI 28% to 45%) and 18% (95% CI 10% to 32%), respectively. Family economic status was significantly associated with patient delay (OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.64, P=0.01), diagnostic delay (OR=1.55, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.97, P<0.01) and treatment delay (OR=1.60, 95% CI 0.98 to 2.60, P=0.05). Conclusion The rates of the 3 types of delay in Chinese TB patients are high, and all 3 types of delay are significantly associated with poor family economic status among the patients. Measures should be taken to reduce the incidence of the various types of delays due to the financial burden that is imposed on TB patients.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the trend of tuberculosis among Chinese students. MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, CBM, WanFang Data and CNKI databases were electronically searched to collect cross-sectional studies on the incidence and trend of tuberculosis among students in China from inception to August 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed by using Stata 15.0 software. ResultsA total of 97 cross-sectional studies were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: the overall incidence of tuberculosis among students in China was 18.63 per 100 000 persons. The incidence in the northwest, south, northeast, north, east, central, and southwest 46.81, 11.22, 24.38, 12.77, 12.03, 18.95, and 39.26 per 100 000 persons, respectively. The incidence among university students, senior high school students, junior school students, and primary school students 38.17, 33.84, 8.85, and 1.68 per 100 000 persons, respectively. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that the incidence of tuberculosis among students in China is high. Among them, the incidence rate of tuberculosis in the central and western regions, universities and high school students is relatively high.
ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic value of tuberculosis T cell spot test (T-SPOT.TB) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test in the diagnosis of simple pulmonary nodules in Xinjiang.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 72 patients with asymptomatic simple pulmonary nodules in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from October 2017 to July 2019 was performed. According to the pathological results, the patients were divided into a tuberculoma group [n=23, including 14 males and 9 females, aged 37-84 (56.91±12.73) years] and a lung cancer group [n=49, including 31 males and 18 females, aged 34-83 (61.71±10.15) years]. The predictive value of T-SPOT.TB and ESR results for the diagnosis of simple pulmonary nodules was evaluated.ResultsThe positive rate of T-SPOT.TB in the tuberculoma group (69.60%) was higher than that in the lung cancer group (42.90%) (χ2=5.324, P=0.021), with a sensitivity of 69.56% and specificity of 57.14%; the positive ESR was 47.80% in the tuberculoma group and 59.20% in the lung cancer group, and no statistical difference was found between the two groups (χ2=0.981, P=0.322), with a sensitivity of 47.82% and specificity of 40.81%; the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.618, the 95% confidence interval of AUC was (0.479, 0.758), and the Youden’s index was 0.267 with a sensitivity of 69.60% and specificity of 57.10%. Difference in the T-SPOT.TB and ESR test results was statistically significant (χ2=4.986, P=0.026), but the correlation between the tests was weak with a Pearson contingency coefficient of 0.199. ESR results in patients with different ages were statistically different (χ2=7.343, P=0.025), but the correlation between age and ESR results was weak with a Pearson contingency coefficient of 0.239; T-SPOT.TB results in patients with different ages were not statistically different (χ2=0.865, P=0.649), and the correlation between age and ESR results was weak with a Pearson contingency coefficient of 0.084.ConclusionThe diagnostic value of T-SPOT.TB and ESR tests is small in the diagnosis of simple pulmonary nodules.
Objective To investigate the value of multislice spiral CT （MSCT） findings in the diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis. Methods MSCT imaging data, including both plain and contrast-enhanced CT scan, of 14 patients with hepatic tuberculosis confirmed by surgery (5 patients), aspiration biopsy (4 patients), or clinic follow-up (5 patients) were collected for the study. MSCT findings were analyzed with correlation of pathological changes. Results Hepatic tuberculosis was classified into 2 types. ①The parenchymal type (12 patients), which was further divided into 4 subtypes: Miliary subtype (2 patients) showed multiple tiny hypodense dots with faint border and had no enhancement; Nodular subtype (5 patients) showed blurring border on plain CT scan, 2 patients had no enhancement, 2 had peripheral rim-like enhancement, and peripheral rim enhancement mixed with no enhancement in 1 patient; Abscess subtype (4 patients) showed central hypodense area with peripheral zone-like enhancement in 2 patients, or patchy like slight enhancement in 2 patients; Fabric and calcific subtype (1 patient) depicted enplaque calcification. ②The serohepatic type (2 patients) showed thickened hepatic capsule, sub-capsule nodules with slight enhancement, and local subcapsular fluid collection. Other signs included hepatomegaly, tuberculous lymphadenopathy, splenic tuberculosis, and tuberculosis of pancreas, adrenal glands, intestine and thorax. Conclusion MSCT plays an important role in diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis, by reflecting underlying pathological changes.
Abstract Dual-blade plate is widely used in reconstruction of anterior stability of spine. Two hundred and ninety-eight cases were followed up since 1984. Among them, 181 cases were fractureof thoracolumbar spine; 63 cases were tuberculosis of thoracolumbar spine; 43 cases were tumor of thoracolumbar spine; 5 cases were spondylisthesis of lumbar spine; 2 cases were ankylosing spondylitis accompanied with gibbosity; 2 cases were adolescent vertebral epiphysis; I case was hemivertebra; I case was dysplasia of the first lumbar vertebra acompanied with gibbosity. Most cases were successful following operation, but in some cases, the results were unsuccessful, mainly due to the position of the dualblade plate in the vertebral body was not satisfactory. The mistakes most commonly occurred were one or two blades, or a part of the blade going into the intervertebral space, and less commonly seen was deviation of the dual -blade plate from itscorrect orientation or a little side-bent of the blade. Split of the vertebra and fall off of the dual-blade plate were happened in few cases. The causeswere analyzed and ways of prevention were provided in this article.
Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem. Genetic epidemiological studies have shown that the differences in host genes partly determine the susceptibility to tuberculosis. The occurrence of tuberculosis is the result of the joint action of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and host gene regulation immune response. The study of susceptibility candidate genes has differences in race, population and region, and the study of susceptibility gene polymorphism still has a long way to go in clinical precision diagnosis and treatment. The study and clinical application of mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease can be used as a classic application of precision medical treatment in tuberculosis; although it is a rare case, this model is worthy of reference.
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major public health concerns worldwide. Since the development of precision medicine, the filed regarding TB control and prevention has been brought into the era of precision medicine. Although great progress has been achieved in the accurate diagnosis, treatment and management of TB patients, we have to face several challenges. We should seize the opportunity, and develop and improve novel measures in TB prevention on the basis of precision medicine. The accurate diagnosis criteria, treatment regimen and management of TB patients should be carried out according to the standard of precision medicine. We aim to improve the treatment of TB patients and prevent the transmission of TB in the community, thereby contributing to the achievement of the End TB Strategy by 2035.