Nitipatana Chierakul

NRAMP1 and TNF-α polymorphisms and susceptibility to tuberculosis in Thais

Objective and background:  Polymorphisms in the natural resistance‐associated macrophage protein gene 1 (NRAMP1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α gene have been found to be associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis in different populations. However, the results are inconsistent. This study aimed to determine whether NRAMP1 and TNF‐α variants are associated with tuberculosis in Thais.

A simple C‐reactive protein measurement for the differentiation between tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the validity of pleural fluid C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and/or pleural fluid to serum CRP ratio for differentiating tuberculous pleuritis (TBP) from malignant pleural effusion (MPE) in patients presenting with lymphocytic exudative pleural effusions.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene promoter polymorphism is not associated with smoking-related COPD in Thailand.

Objective:  Susceptibility to COPD is, in part, genetically determined. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α gene promoter polymorphisms have been investigated in different populations with inconsistent results. This study aimed to determine the genetic predisposition in Thai smoking‐related COPD patients.

Diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage and postbronchoscopic sputum cytology in peripheral lung cancer

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and postbronchoscopic sputum cytology in diagnosing peripheral lung cancer. We performed a prospective study in 55 patients with lesions on chest radiographs who were suspected of having lung cancer and had non‐endoscopically visible lesions on fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The sequence of procedures in all cases was BAL and transbronchial forceps biopsy. The final diagnosis of these patients were primary lung cancer in 30 patients, metatastic lung cancer in five and benign diseases in 20. In the primary lung cancer group, BAL was positive for malignant cells in 14 of the 30 patients (46.7%). In seven (50%) of these patients, the cell type diagnosed by BAL agreed with the final diagnosis. The diagnostic yield of BAL was influenced by the size and segmental location of the lesion. Bronchoalveolar lavage provided a higher diagnostic yield (46.7%) than transbronchial biopsy (16.7%). In five patients with metastatic lung cancer and 20 patients with benign disease, BAL gave negative results in all. Postbronchoscopic sputum cytology was positive in only two of the 26 patients (7.7%) from whom samples could be obtained. Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology proved to be a valuable diagnostic tool in detecting peripheral, primary lung cancer. Postbronchoscopic sputum cytology provided no significant additional information.

Diagnostic value of gastric aspirate smear and polymerase chain reaction in smear‐negative pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the validity of acid‐fast bacilli (AFB) smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from gastric aspirates for the diagnosis of smear‐negative pulmonary tuberculosis.

Can serial qualitative polymerase chain reaction monitoring predict outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the use of qualitative one‐tube nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for monitoring the treatment response in smear‐positive pulmonary tuberculosis, and the factors determining the negative conversion of sputum smear, culture, and PCR during treatment.

Comparison between specified percentage and fifth percentile criteria for spirometry interpretation in Thai patients

Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the degree of agreement between the interpretation of spirometry using a specified percentage of predicted value (SPC) and the fifth percentile (FPC) as the cut off between normal and abnormal.