The Incidence and Risk Factors of Hyponatremia in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Context: The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) with euvolemic hyponatremia may occur in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), but little is known about the clinical characteristics of SIAD-associated hyponatremia in PTB patients.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the frequency and risk factors of hyponatremia in PTB patients.

Methods: In this retrospective chart review, we examined the incidence and severity of hyponatremia in PTB patients.

Serum concentrations of clarithromycin and rifampicin in pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease: long-term changes due to drug interactions and their association with clinical outcomes.

Background: Concomitant use of clarithromycin (CAM) and rifampicin (RFP) for the treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease affects the systemic concentrations of both drugs due to CYP3A4-related interactions. To date, however, there has been no report that investigates the long-term relationship between the drug concentrations, CYP3A4 activity, and clinical outcomes. Our aim was to investigate the time course of the drug levels in long-term treatment of subjects with pulmonary MAC disease, and examine the correlation of these concentrations with CYP3A4 activity and clinical outcomes.

Retrospective investigation of combination therapy with clarithromycin and levofloxacin for pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease.

Background: Fluoroquinolones are often used for the treatment of refractory Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease when the clinical efficacy of the recommended regimen, which includes clarithromycin (CAM), rifampicin (RFP), and ethambutol (EB), is insufficient. However, recent in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that fluoroquinolones decreased the antibacterial activity of CAM when they were administered in combination. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the influence of the combination of CAM and levofloxacin (LVFX) on clinical outcomes for pulmonary MAC disease patients.

[Reconsideration of the admission and discharge criteria of tuberculosis patients in Japan].

Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued new criteria for admission and discharge of tuberculosis patients in 2007. The criteria for admission are extended for the patients of the risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission and of the possible risk of treatment failure. The criteria for discharge are consisted of the 3 factors, (1) symptoms (cough, fever, etc.

[Adverse effect other than liver dysfunction in treatment of latent tuberculous infection by isoniazid].

Purpose: To study the frequency and degree of adverse effect, other than liver dysfunction, of isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy in Japanese people.

Object And Method: Chart review of Japanese persons who started isoniazid preventive chemotherapy in the two clinics in Tokyo, from 2003/1/1 to 2004/12/31.

Result: There were 779 cases who did not transiently or completely stop INH preventive therapy because of adverse effect, and 20 cases who stopped INH transiently or completely because of adverse effect other than liver damage (total 799 cases).

[Liver damage in treatment of latent tuberculous infection by isoniazid].

Purpose: To study the frequency and degree of liver damage as adverse effect of isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy in Japanese people.

Object And Method: Chart review of Japanese persons who started isoniazid preventive chemotherapy in the two clinics in Tokyo, from 2003/1/1 to 2004/12/31.

Result: There were 779 cases who did not transiently or completely stop INH preventive therapy because of adverse effect, and 26 cases who stopped INH transiently or completely because of liver damage as adverse effect (total 805 cases).

[Tuberculosis and human rights].

Tuberculosis (TB) patients must be hospitalized while the smear of sputum is positive because TB spreads through air. Cooperation of a patient is important in order to complete the treatment of TB. However, a small number of patients are noncooperative for the treatment and may sometimes refuse it.

[Preventive therapy in middle-aged and elderly persons selected from the population-based screening by mass miniature radiography--methodological aspect and adverse reactions].

The notification rate of tuberculosis in Japan was 31.0 per 100,000 in 2000. The rate was especially high among the elderly population, reaching 85.