Correlation of Serum C-Reactive Protein with Disease Severity in Tuberculosis Patients

Purpose: To study the factors influencing sputum smear conversion including Serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and its correlation with disease severity in tuberculosis patients. Method: Levels of Serum-CRP concentrations were deter-mined in 60 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 30 healthy volunteers and patients in follow-up after completion of antitubercular treatment (DOTS therapy). Results: Serum-CRP levels were found to be significantly higher in smear-positive group as compared with the follow-up patients and smear-negative control group. The values were 43.65 ± 23.68, 9.88 ± 5.23 and 4.04 ± 3.85 mg/L respectively (P Conclusion: Serum-CRP levels are significantly correlated with disease severity in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Thus these findings from the present study would certainly add new criteria for early diagnosis of TB, which may lead to development of new strategies to treat TB.

Management of Multi-Drug Resistant Methicillin Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>Induced Pneumonia with New Antibiotic Adjuvant Entity: A Retrospective Study

Aim/Objective: Increase in incidences of pneumonia due to multi-drug resistant methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in both community and health care settings is of great concern globally. Present study aims to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of new fixed dose combination with antibiotic adjuvant entity (FDC) in comparison with vancomycin to treat patients with multi-drug resistant MRSA pneumonia. Materials and Methods: During this retrospective study, case sheets of patients who were treated for MRSA pneumonia with vancomycin or fixed dose combination of vancomycin + ceftriaxone + adjuvant (FDC) between 20 March 2010 to 20 October 2014 at tertiary care center, were analyzed. Various demographic features, antibiotic therapy, length of treatment duration and the resulting efficacy were evaluated. Microbiological success was measured in terms of bacterial eradication, while clinical success was monitored in terms of complete omission of systemic signs and symptoms. Results: Among 136 patients analyzed, 113 cases were having positive culture for MRSA, and hence were further analyzed. Out of these 113 patients, empirical treatment with vancomycin was given in 59 patients and 54 patients were treated with FDC empirically. After initial culture reports, 22 patients showing resistance to vancomycin were shifted to FDC. Amidst all the patients, 24 (64.86%) of 37 from vancomycin group and 62 (81.57%) of 76 from FDC group achieved clinical success. 9 patients out of these failure cases were cured with FDC + colistin combination therapy. Failure rates in FDC treated patients were significantly low (6.57%) as compared to vancomycin group (13.51%). Conclusion: For the treatment of different types of multi-drug resistant MRSA pneumonia, the empirical intravenous FDC therapy was safe and well tolerated with higher efficacy than vancomycin. Most of the vancomycin failure cases responded to FDC therapy and were cured. This retrospective study also concludes that an alternative option of FDC + colistin is safe and effective to treat the patients which fail to respond to FDC monotherapy.

Role of Serum Procalcitonin Level in Differentiating between Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) and Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) are common causes of consolidation patch in chest radiograph. Sputum Z-N staining is positive in 30% to 60% cases only and sputum examination has poor yield in CAP. This study aimed to assess the value of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) and Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). Patients with new opacity in chest radiograph were included in the study. Serum sample were taken at admission and stored. Patient’s diagnosis were confirmed and categorized into pulmonary TB group (32) and community-acquired pneumonia group (23). Their mean PCT level was compared with mean PCT level of 25 controls. Serum procalcitonin levels were found to be significantly elevated in patients of community-acquired pneumonia as compared to patients of pulmonary tuberculosis. In presence of consolidation in x-ray chest, increased level of serum procalcitonin might be used to differentiate pulmonary tuberculosis from community-acquired pneumonia. High level of serum procalcitonin was associated with high mortality rate in community-acquired pneumonia patients.

Tuberculosis: Laboratory Diagnosis and Dots Strategy Outcome in an Urban Setting: A Retrospective Study

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health threat. It has a worldwide distribution with a very high prevalence in Asian countries. A correct diagnosis forms an important and indispensable part of proper and timely treatment. Detection of acid fast bacilli in direct smears has considerable clinical and epidemiological value and remains the most widely used rapid diagnostic test. In smear negative cases, radiography has an important role to play. Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) strategy is one of the most cost-effective health interventions to treat tuberculosis. Samples from clinically suspected cases of TB were screened for the presence of Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB). Radiography and culture was done for the AFB negative cases. 760 cases of pulmonary TB were diagnosed by smear examination and 412 by radiography. 270 cases of pulmonary TB were diagnosed in the study. Of the 1422 patients put on DOTS, out of which 1138 (80.1%) were successfully treated. Thus, smear examination for AFB and radiography should go hand in hand for correct diagnosis and treatment of TB by DOTS which is a very successful regimen for developing countries like India.