Tubercle最新文献

Serum levels of three immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA & IgM), albumin and six acute phase proteins (α1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin, transferrin, α2-macroglobulin, complements C3 & C4) were measured by immunoelectrophoresis in 57 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis when they were first diagnosed, and followed at 1 month, 2 month and 4 month intervals during anti-tuberculosis treatment. These values were compared to those from 41 healthy controls. Significant increases were observed in the initial values of serum IgG, IgM, α1-antitrypsin and haptoglobin, while transferrin and α2-macroglobulin levels were significantly reduced. No changes were observed in the levels of serum albumin, IgA and complement C3. Levels of all measured proteins decreased with treatment. However, at 4 months, IgG and α1-antitrypsin were still significantly elevated when compared to control values, while the level of haptoglobin had decreased to a level significantly lower than that of the control value.

A case of mammary tuberculosis is reported. A communication between the axillary glands and the breast emphasises Cooper's theory that the breast becomes secondarily involved by lymphatic extension. Involvement of other organs by acid-fast bacilli could not be demonstrated. A relapse occurred sixteen months after a 6-month course of treatment with rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol and pyrazinamide.

A laparotomy was performed on a 68-year-old female who, in spite of medical treatment, suffered from uncontrolled upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to ruptured gastric varices.

Histological examination of the liver tissue taken during operation revealed tuberculosis. Hepatic tuberculosis, although rare, should be kept in mind as one of the differential diagnosis when there is unexplained, noncirrhotic bleeding gastric varices.

The dynamics of the distribution of liposomes for use as drug carriers for the treatment of tuberculosis is studied. While the free radiolabel injected into mice was rapidly excreted by the kidneys, the same label trapped within liposomes was retained for longer periods in the liver, spleen and lung. There were variations in the distribution and retention times of liposomes of different composition.

When the distribution of liposomes in healthy and tuberculous mice was compared, a greater accumulation in the liver, spleen and lungs of healthy mice was observed, although the retention time in tuberculous mice was longer. These findings merit consideration in the design of therapies based on liposome-entrapped drugs as the dynamics of distribution and retention differ between normal and infected animals.

The frequency of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were estimated in the lymphocytes of 95 untreated tuberculosis patients to evaluate the chromosomal damage with reference to bacterial invasion. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations was significantly higher in tuberculosis patients compared to controls (p < 0.001) while the SCE frequency did not show any statistically significant differences. These findings indicate that the basic mechanism of formation of chromosomal aberrations and SCE are different and they suggest that the tubercle bacillus might be capable of inducing chromosome damage.

Mycobacterium fortuitum infections of sternotomy wounds have been successfully treated with ofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone. We studied the MBCs and MICs in vitro of this antibiotic on the organism under neutral pH (7) and acidic pH (5) and found marked escalation of these values under the latter condition. This provides hints on the therapy of these infections under in vivo settings.

Pneumopericardium is rare in tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis. Much rarer is the association of pneumopericardium with cardiac tamponade. The case is reported of a 29-year-old patient in whom tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis resulted in a fatal tension pneumopericardium.

Primary tuberculosis of the penis with associated bilateral inguinal lymph node enlargement and a discharging sinus is described. Its rarity is emphasized and its likely mode of transmission is also highlighted so that it can be looked for in areas where infantile circumcision is practised, particularly in developing countries.