Seminars in respiratory and critical care medicine
-
Drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pose a major threat to global tuberculosis control. Despite the availability of curative antituberculosis therapy for nearly half a century, inappropriate and inadequate treatment of tuberculosis, as well as unchecked transmission of M. tuberculosis, has resulted in alarming levels of drug-resistant tuberculosis. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there were 600,000 cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)/rifampin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis in 2016, defined as strains that are resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin. ⋯ By the end of 2016, 123 countries had reported at least one case of extensively drug-resistant strains, which are MDR-TB strains that have acquired additional resistance to fluoroquinolones and at least one second-line injectable. It is estimated that only 22% of all MDR-TB cases are currently receiving therapy. This article reviews the management of MDR/RR-TB and updates recommendations regarding the use of shorter course regimens and new drugs.
-
Tuberculosis (TB) was the underlying cause of 1.3 million deaths among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative people in 2016, exceeding the global number of HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) deaths. In addition, TB was a contributing cause of 374,000 HIV deaths. Despite the success of chemotherapy over the past seven decades, TB is the top infectious killer globally. ⋯ Ambitious targets for reductions in the epidemiological burden of TB have been set within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the End TB Strategy. Achieving these targets is the focus of national and international efforts, and demonstrating whether or not they are achieved is of major importance to guide future and sustainable investments. This article reviews epidemiological facts about TB, trends in the magnitude of the burden of TB and factors contributing to it, and the effectiveness of the public health response.
-
Semin Respir Crit Care Med · Jun 2018
ReviewSurgical Management of Pulmonary Mycobacterial Disease.
There is renewed interest in the use of adjuvant surgical resection in the treatment of pulmonary mycobacterial disease. For pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the emergence of significant drug resistance has led clinicians to reconsider surgery in select cases, where a clear benefit in bacterial conversion and cure has been noted. ⋯ Resection is generally well tolerated, and may often be performed through a minimally invasive approach. While medical treatment clearly remains the mainstay of therapy, more research is needed regarding the use of adjuvant resection in this patient population.
-
The diagnosis of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease may be challenging, as their presence alone does not necessarily indicate disease and diagnosis requires the integration of clinical, radiological, and microbiological findings. The first step is to suspect NTM disease; however, clinical manifestations of NTM are nonspecific and it may not be possible to separate them from those caused by underlying respiratory disease. The radiological appearance generally falls into two patterns, fibrocavitary disease and nodular-bronchiectatic disease; consolidation, infiltrates, and solitary nodules are also described. ⋯ If sputum is used, more than one isolate is required for diagnosis due to the propensity of NTM to contaminate clinical samples. The correct identification of NTM is vital, as their clinical relevance varies widely between species, and treatment is dictated by the identity of the isolated organism. This review covers the clinical presentation of NTM disease, the interpretation of radiological findings, and issues surrounding the isolation and identification of mycobacteria.
-
Of the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) causing lung disease, members of the Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABc) present a formidable obstacle to successful management. This challenge starts from a poorly understood pathogenesis, continues with complicated subspecies variation in treatment response, and extends to the multidrug-resistant nature of these organisms. ⋯ This disease also represents a frequent and unique problem in certain populations, including cystic fibrosis and lung transplant recipients, and providers who manage such patients should be familiar with how MABc disease influences management. Because of the rising prevalence of the MABc, especially in patients with complicated underlying pulmonary disease, it is increasingly necessary for infectious diseases and pulmonary medicine clinicians to understand the unique aspects of MABc management and understand when to obtain expert consultation in the care of these patients.