[Interferon-Gamma Release Assays in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in clinical situations].

Until recently, the basic test to identify latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) was the tuberculin skin test, despite its limitations in the form of low sensitivity and specificity. Currently, Interferon Gamma Release Assays from peripheral blood are used for a rapid diagnosis of LTBI and measurement of the interferon gamma (IFN-g) levels secreted by specific T cells stimulated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. Detection of LTBI is important in the control of people potentially at risk of TB disease, such as people remaining in close contact with BK (+) tb patient and for patients evaluated for biological treatment.

Lipoid pneumonia--a case of refractory pneumonia in a child treated with ketogenic diet.

Lipoid pneumonia (LP) is a chronic inflammation of the lung parenchyma with interstitial involvement due to the accumulation of endogenous or exogenous lipids. Exogenous LP (ELP) is associated with the aspiration or inhalation of oil present in food, oil-based medications or radiographic contrast media. The clinical manifestations of LP range from asymptomatic cases to severe pulmonary involvement, with respiratory failure and death, according to the quantity and duration of the aspiration.

[CXCL10/IP-10 as a new biomarker for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection].

In low prevalence countries, where identification and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) are basis of national programmes against tuberculosis, the diagnosis is focused mainly on tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), both of which seem to be imperfect. This is why searches for a new, more specific biomarker for TB infection have been conducted. A promising candidate for the new marker is interferon gamma induced protein (IP-10).

Ear tuberculosis: clinical and surgical treatment.

Two main points are discussed in this paper: First, the changing picture of the clinical process of tuberculosis, and second, various diagnostic problems caused by extra-pulmonary forms. We have analysed a case of ear tuberculosis in a child, and drawn the following conclusions: Directed chemotherapy is the primary method of treatment, and surgical methods should be used to provide tissue for bacteriological and histopathological analysis, to enable an early diagnosis during the first stage of the disease, and in other atypical cases.

[Modern microbiological methods in diagnosis of adverse reactions after BCG vaccination. Case reports].

The attenuated bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is administered worldwide to prevent tuberculosis and is considered to have an excellent safety profile. In Poland, since 1955 BCG mass vaccinations have been compulsory. More than 95% newborns and 80% of older children of the population have been vaccinated.

[Antimycobacterial antibody level in pleural, pericardial and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with tuberculosis].

The goal of the study was to evaluate IgG, IgA and IgM mediated humoral immune response against 38kDa and 16 kDa or 38kDa and LAM mycobacterial antigens in pleural, pericardial or cerebrospinal fluid from patients with tuberculosis (TB) and to compare to non-tuberculous controls (NTB). 30 cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) (16 TB pts and 14 NTB pts), 17 pericardial fluids (6 TB and 11 NTB) and 20 pleural fluids (7 TB and 13 NTB) were examined. Commercially available ELISA-based assays (Pathozyme Tb complex plus, Myco G, A and M--Omega Diagnostic) were used.