Pathology of pulmonary tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease: Facts, misconceptions, and practical tips for pathologists.

Most pathologists are familiar with the microscopic features of tuberculosis and the need to examine special stains for acid-fast bacteria (AFB) in cases of granulomatous lung disease. However, misconceptions do exist, including the concept that finding AFB in "caseating granulomas" confirms the diagnosis of tuberculosis. This dogma is attributable to the high prevalence of tuberculosis in many countries, as well as unfamiliarity with the microscopic spectrum of non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

Selecting suitable solid organ transplant donors: Reducing the risk of donor-transmitted infections.

Selection of the appropriate donor is essential to a successful allograft recipient outcome for solid organ transplantation. Multiple infectious diseases have been transmitted from the donor to the recipient via transplantation. Donor-transmitted infections cause increased morbidity and mortality to the recipient.

Complex prosthetic joint infections due to carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: a unique challenge in the era of untreatable infections.

Objectives: Limited clinical experience exists regarding the management of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative organisms. We review three cases of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) complicating PJI.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of all patients at a tertiary care institution with CRKP complicating PJI between January 2007 and December 2010.

Challenges of interferon-γ release assay conversions in serial testing of health-care workers in a TB control program.

Background: Clinical data with use of serial interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) testing in US health-care workers (HCWs) are limited.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective chart review was done from 2007 to 2010 of HCWs who underwent preemployment QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube testing. Demographic data, bacille Calmette-Guérin history, prior tuberculin skin test result if done, and baseline and serial IGRA values were obtained.

Prosthetic joint infection: when to suspect it, how to manage it.

The number of prosthetic joint infections in the United States is rising because of our aging population and the increasing number of adults undergoing joint replacement surgery. The cardinal symptom of prosthetic joint infection is recurrent pain in the joint. Fever and leukocytosis may be absent in elderly patients, particularly in late infections.