Barney Thomas Jesudason Isaac

High annual risk of tuberculosis infection among nursing students in South India: a cohort study.

Background Nurses in developing countries are frequently exposed to infectious tuberculosis (TB) patients, and have a high prevalence of TB infection. To estimate the incidence of new TB infection, we recruited a cohort of young nursing trainees at the Christian Medical College in Southern India. Annual tuberculin skin testing (TST) was conducted to assess the annual risk of TB infection (ARTI) in this cohort. Methodology/Principal Findings 436 nursing students completed baseline two-step TST testing in 2007 and 217 were TST-negative and therefore eligible for repeat testing in 2008. 181 subjects completed a detailed questionnaire on exposure to tuberculosis from workplace and social contacts. A physician verified the questionnaire and clinical log book and screened the subjects for symptoms of active TB. The majority of nursing students (96.7%) were females, almost 84% were under 22 years of age, and 80% had BCG scars. Among those students who underwent repeat testing in 2008, 14 had TST conversions using the ATS/CDC/IDSA conversion definition of 10 mm or greater increase over baseline. The ARTI was therefore estimated as 7.8% (95%CI: 4.3–12.8%). This was significantly higher than the national average ARTI of 1.5%. Sputum collection and caring for pulmonary TB patients were both high risk activities that were associated with TST conversions in this young nursing cohort. Conclusions Our study showed a high ARTI among young nursing trainees, substantially higher than that seen in the general Indian population. Indian healthcare providers and the Indian Revised National TB Control Programme will need to implement internationally recommended TB infection control interventions to protect its health care workforce.

Disseminated solitary fibrous tumour of the lung and pleura

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are a heterogeneous group of rare spindle-cell tumours. Classically they presented as a solitary pleural-based mass. Pulmonary parenchymal SFT is rare and multiple bilateral lesions are extremely rare. We present the clinical, imaging and histological features of SFT which are presented as multiple nodular lesions of the lung and pleura with probable distant metastasis.

Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy improves yield of Xpert MTB/RIF for diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis: Xpert in thoracoscopic pleural biopsy

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) accounts for ~15% of all TB patients, and TB pleural effusion is the second most common site of EPTB. The diagnosis of pleural TB is challenging due to the pauci‐bacillary nature of the disease. Histopathology of thoracoscopically obtained pleural biopsy provides the highest diagnostic yield. The Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Xpert) is a PCR test that can identify both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and rifampicin resistance. Currently, there is a lack of clarity regarding the value of Xpert on pleural tissue. We report our experience of using Xpert on thoracoscopic pleural biopsy samples.

Endobronchial ultrasound experience in a high tuberculosis prevalence setting

BACKGROUND Most of the published endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) data are from the western countries, establishing the role of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. The etiology of mediastinal lymphadenopathy may be different in an ethnic group with a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB). OBJECTIVE To assess the etiology of mediastinal adenopathy in a high TB prevalence setting and to determine the performance of various tests in the diagnosis of tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis. METHODS Retrospective analysis of bronchoscopic data of patients who underwent endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in a tertiary care center in India. RESULTS Out of 138 patients who underwent EBUS, 63 (46%) had granulomatous disease. Of the 35 patients with a diagnosis of TB, in 10 (29%), microbiology of EBUS specimens was diagnostic and in 3 (9%), this was the sole diagnostic feature. In 5 (14%) mycobacterial cultures were positive, in 6 (17%) GeneXpert for Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin resistance (Xpert MTB/RIF) was positive, and in 3 (9%) acid fast smears were positive. CONCLUSION In high TB prevalence countries, EBUS diagnoses a higher number of granulomatous than malignant diseases. EBUS specimen should, therefore, be subjected also to mycobacterial smear, culture, and Xpert MTB/RIF for optimal results.

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis – A rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonia

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis is a rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. It was first described in 2004 and subsequently included in the ATS/ERS classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia in 2013. There have been few cases reported so far. The diagnostic criteria is still emerging and its etiology is being questioned. We report a case of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis probably idiopathic, the first of its kind to be reported from India, and a brief review of the literature.

Cannonball shadow in the lungs and pulmonary embolism in a young man

A 20-year-old non-smoking man presented with a history of chest pain, cough, loss of weight and appetite for a 3-month duration. Prior to presentation, he was diagnosed at a local hospital as having pneumonia and was treated with oral and intravenous antibiotics. Since the patients symptoms did not abate with treatment, he was referred to our centre for further management. On physical examination, his vital signs were within normal limits. He was not in obvious distress. There was a hard right-sided testicular swelling. His left testis was normal in consistency. There was no evidence of a hydrocele. The rest of the systemic examination was unremarkable. ### Laboratory findings His blood counts and routine serum biochemistries were normal. His serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was elevated at 3492 IU/L (normal up to 160 IU/L), β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) was 89.29 mIU/mL (normal up to 5) and α-fetoprotein was14 IU/mL (normal up to 5.5). Serum antineutrophilic antibodies were not detected. The Mantoux test and sputum smear and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli were negative. His chest X-ray revealed …

Loculated Pneumothorax Due To A Rare Combination Resulting In An Interesting Chest Radiograph.

A 35 years old man presented with acute onset left sided pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. On evaluation, he was found to have an interesting chest radiograph which showed a loculated pneumothorax with collapse of the left upper lobe and lingula but fully expanded left lower lobe. He is a known asthmatic who had allergic broncho pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) previously with left upper lobe and lingular collapse secondary to mucous plugging. This resolved on treatment with steroids and itraconazole. An interesting combination of events is proposed to explain the current presentation. CT scan chest and blood tests confirmed this sequence of events. He was appropriately treated resulting in complete clinical and radiological recovery. The events leading to the presentation and the likely physiological background for this interesting chest radiograph are discussed.

Screening for obstructive sleep apnoea using the STOPBANG questionnaire and the Epworth sleepiness score in patients admitted on the unselected acute medical take in a UK hospital

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which is often overlooked in patients presenting to primary and secondary care, is an increasingly common comorbidity. The prevalence of OSA has not been studied in the unselected acute medical take. The aim of this study was to screen for the prevalence of undiagnosed OSA using the STOPBANG Questionnaire and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) score in an unselected acute medical take. This was a cross-sectional study in a busy UK general hospital. Patient demographics, comorbidities, ESS and STOPBANG scores on unselected acute medical takes were reviewed and analysed to assess the prevalence of OSA. Of 93 patients screened, more than 50% were obese. The STOPBANG score was ≥3 in 73%. The ESS was significantly increased (≥11) in 20%. On multivariate analysis, ESS continued to remain independently associated with the STOPBANG score with a p-value of 0.04. The routine use of the STOPBANG questionnaire followed by an ESS score in those with a score of ≥3 may focus evaluation for undetected OSA in the acute medical care setting.

Successful removal of self-expanding metallic stent after deployment for tubercular bronchostenosis

The use of metallic stents is traditionally not recommended for benign tracheobronchial conditions. With advances in the field of interventional bronchoscopy, metal tracheobronchial stents have occasionally been used to treat benign disease. However, the removal of these stents from the airway is technically difficult. We are reporting the case of a young female subject who received a self-expanding metallic stent for alleviation of post-tubercular bronchostenosis, which was successfully removed after two months without complications. Metal stents can be used in benign tracheobronchial conditions but require meticulous follow-up to monitor complications. Experienced operators can remove them without major complications and this may be life-saving in emergencies. We are reporting this case for the rarity of such procedures in India.

Conundrum in an asthma exacerbation

A 66-year-old man, an asthmatic, presented with symptoms suggestive of an acute exacerbation of asthma. His arterial blood gas revealed type 1 respiratory failure (PaO2 <8 kPa or 60 mm Hg with normal or low PaCO2) with a compensated lactic acidosis. He was treated for an asthma exacerbation and sepsis. Despite treatment, his respiratory rate remained elevated although his hypoxaemia improved. There was progressive worsening of the lactic acidosis. Treatment for sepsis was augmented. Peak flow measurements were not used to assess the severity of his exacerbation nor his response to treatment. An alternate diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome with acute pulmonary oedema was made and his asthma treatment was stopped. This coincided with a decline in his serum lactate. A diagnosis of salbutamol-induced lactic acidosis (SILA) was made. SILA is a relatively common complication of salbutamol therapy in moderate/severe asthma exacerbations. It is caused by a mechanism different from the lactataemia that is associated with septic shock and life-threatening asthma.