Reinfection of tuberculosis in bronchiectasis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disorder that occurs as a result of autosomal recessive congenital transmission of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation on chromosome 7. Because it is considered a disease of the Caucasian pediatric population or due to lack of awareness, it is rarely considered in developing countries like ours. This case report presents the first case of cystic fibrosis ever reported in Ethiopia and possibly East Africa, that of a 17-year-old female diagnosed with the disease following a CT scan of her abdomen and chest...

OBJECTIVE: To identify mycobacterial species in the sputum of patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis and to determine the impact that the acquisition of this knowledge has on the therapeutic approach. METHODS: We evaluated 106 patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis and referred to the pulmonology department of a public hospital in the city of Teresina, Brazil. Morning sputum specimens were evaluated for the presence of mycobacteria by sputum smear microscopy and culture...

Those physicians who deal with children have much to contribute toward case finding in tuberculosis among these patients as well as adults. The tuberculin test is the most accurate weapon at hand. Contacts other than the parents should be looked for. Symptoms, beside fever, to be noted are eye and skin complaints. In the physical examination the chest is relatively unimportant as compared to the eye, the skin, the lymphatic and skeletal systems. In the roentgenographic examination, epituberculosis and atelectasis should be differentiated...

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is ubiquitous. It is found in various freshwater and saltwater sources around the world, including hot water pipes. Although the organism was identified in the 1890s, its potential to cause human disease was only recognized 50 years later. Only a minority of people exposed to the organism will acquire MAC lung disease, usually those with underlying lung disease or immunosuppression. MAC may, however, cause progressive parenchymal lung disease and bronchiectasis in patients without underlying lung disease, particularly in middle-aged and elderly women...

During the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, the radiologist is often asked the following questions: 1) is it really TB?; 2) is there any improvement?; 3) when is the X-ray check-up required?. In our opinion, the radiologist is in a position: 1) to confirm the diagnosis of TB; 2) to give a radiological diagnosis of "abnormality" but without a prognostic opinion; 3) to suggest, case by case, when the X-ray check-up is required. After some month or years, when radiological-clinical sequelae are present, the radiologist is often asked equally difficult questions: 1) is it still TB?; 2) is it still active?; 3) could it have caused the hemoptysis?...