Conversion or Reversion of Interferon γ Release Assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Interferon γ release assays (IGRAs) are widely used for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. However, with repeated testing, IGRA transformation (conversion or reversion) may be detected and is challenging to interpret. We reviewed the frequency of and risk factors for IGRA transformation.

The efficacy and safety of high-dose isoniazid-containing therapy for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Accumulating evidence are available on the efficacy of high-dose isoniazid (INH) for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare clinical efficacy and safety outcomes of high-dose INH- containing therapy against other regimes. We searched the following databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.

The performance of interferon gamma release assays in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The actual positive rate of interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) in patients with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections remains unclear. This review and meta-analysis present the prevalence of positive IGRAs (T-SPOT.TB and QuantiFERON [QFT] tests) among patients infected with NTM isolates (with or without ESAT-6/CFP-10).

The role of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin administration on the risk of dementia in bladder cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous cohort studies have found an association between Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) administration and incident dementia. In the systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize the current evidence of the effect of BCG use on the risk of developing dementia.

Methods: We searched six databases until 20 May 2023 for studies investigating the risk of dementia and BCG administration.

Interferon-γ release assay and mantoux response in infants with tuberculous meningitis in low and intermediate burden countries.

Aim: Until now, the performance of interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) and Mantoux tests remains unclear in infant tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Therefore, a systematic review is performed to evaluate the sensitivity of IGRA and Mantoux tests for the diagnosis of infant TBM in low and intermediate tuberculosis (TB) burden countries, while following PRISMA.

Methods: Several databases, including PubMed, EBSCO, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.

Performance of Interferon-γ Release Assays in Patients with Infection.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) in patients with infection.

Methods: Consecutive patients between May 2012 and June 2021 who had positive for mycobacterial cultures and who underwent IGRAs (T-SPOT.TB or QuantiFERON-TB Gold [QFT-G]) were included in the analysis.

Cerebrospinal fluid findings of infant tuberculous meningitis: a scoping review.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations play an important role in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). However, their yield in the diagnosis of infant TBM remains unclear. This scoping review aims to detail the role of CSF examination for the diagnosis of infant TBM.

The Sensitivity of Diagnostic Criteria of Marais S, et al. in Confirmed Childhood Tuberculous Meningitis.

Background: To establish the sensitivity of the diagnostic criteria published by Marais and co-workers in 2010 for childhood tuberculous meningitis (TBM), a retrospective study on children with confirmed TBM was conducted.

Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2019, children consecutively diagnosed with TBM were recruited retrospectively at our center. TBM was defined in cases where any of the following criteria were met: the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) microscopy, CSF nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT, +), or cultured from CSF.

Loculations and Associated Risk Factors of Childhood Pleural Tuberculosis.

Pleural loculation in childhood pleural tuberculosis (TB) remains a problem in practice, it is usually associated with failure drainage. Therefore, to improve the management of childhood pleural TB, a retrospective study was conducted to identify the risk factors associated with loculated effusion in childhood pleural TB. Between January 2006 and December 2019, consecutive children (≤15 years old) with tuberculous pleural effusion (definite and possible) were included for further analysis.

Risk Factor for Retreatment Episode on Admission Among TB Patients With Schizophrenia.

The clinical characteristics of patients with tuberculosis (TB) and schizophrenia remain largely unknown. Furthermore, TB retreatment is associated with a poor outcome. Hence, we aimed to address the risk factors of TB retreatment in schizophrenia patients in this retrospective cohort.

Factors Associated With the Presence of Tuberculous Empyema in Children With Pleural Tuberculosis.

Until now, the factor of tuberculous empyema (TE) in children with pleural tuberculosis (TB) remains unclear. Therefore, a retrospective study was conducted to assess the factors associated with the presence of TE in children. Between January 2006 and December 2019, consecutive children patients (≤ 15 years old) with suspected pleural TB were selected for further analysis.

Bronchial brushing Xpert improves the diagnostic efficiency of sputum Xpert in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: The role of bronchial brushing Xpert MTB/RIF (hereafter referred to as Xpert) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains unclear. Therefore, a retrospective study was conducted aiming to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of bronchial brushing Xpert in patients with PTB.

Methods: Between July 2018 and August 2019, suspected PTB patients who were admitted to our hospital and had bronchial brushing and matched sputum collection for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear, mycobacterial culture, and Xpert were included for further analysis.

Normal cerebrospinal fluid protein and associated clinical characteristics in children with tuberculous meningitis.

Background: Although abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein can be used to predict the outcome of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and diagnose TBM, normal CSF protein remains a concern in patients with TBM. This retrospective study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics associated with normal CSF protein, to resolve the dilemma of CSF protein in the management of childhood TBM.

Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2019, consecutive child patients (≤15 years old, a diagnosis of TBM, and tested for CSF protein) were included for analysis.

Factors associated with negative pleural adenosine deaminase results in the diagnosis of childhood pleural tuberculosis.

Background: Until now, the influential factors associated with pleural adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity among children remain unclear. This retrospective study was therefore conducted aiming to investigate the factors associated with negative pleural ADA results in the diagnosis of childhood pleural tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2019, children patients with definite or possible pleural TB were recruited for potential analysis.

Risk factors for poor outcome in childhood tuberculous meningitis.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains a serious disease for children and its risk factors of poor outcome remain unclear. Therefore, a retrospective study was conducted aiming to investigate the risk factors associated with poor outcome of childhood TBM. Between January 2006 and December 2019, consecutive children patients (≤ 15 years old) who had a diagnosis of TBM were included for the analysis.

Risk factors associated with surgical intervention in childhood pleural tuberculosis.

Surgical intervention use is common in the management of childhood pleural tuberculosis (TB), however, its associated risk factors remain unclear. Between January 2006 and December 2019, consecutive children patients (≤ 15 years old) who had a diagnosis of pleural TB were included for the analysis. Surgical intervention was defined as debridement (such as breaking loculations), decortication, and thoracic surgery (such as lobectomy or segmental resection).

Risk factors for death in tuberculosis patients requiring ICU care.

The prognostic factor for in-hospital mortality in tuberculosis (TB) patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) care remains unclear. Therefore, a retrospective study was conducted aiming to estimate the in-hospital mortality rate and the risk factors for mortality in a high-burden setting. All patients with culture-confirmed TB that were admitted to the ICU of the hospital between March 2012 and April 2019 were identified retrospectively.

Diagnostic incremental value of sputum in patients with pleural tuberculosis.

Background: Pleural effusion (PE) Xpert has limited use in the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis (TB). However, the diagnostic incremental value of sputum Xpert for pleural TB diagnosis remains unclear.

Materials And Methods: Between March 2018 and October 2019, patients with certain causes (such as TB, malignancy, and pneumonia) of PE were enrolled in our study.

Prevalence of invasive aspergillosis in suspected pulmonary tuberculosis at a referral tuberculosis hospital in Shandong, China.

Although the progression of invasive aspergillosis (IA) shares some risk factors in the development of active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), however, the prevalence of IA in suspected PTB remains unclear. During a period of 1 year (from January 2016 to December 2016), consecutive patients with suspected PTB were included in a referral TB hospital. Data, including demographic information and underlying diseases, were collected from medical records.

Treatment delay in childhood pleural tuberculosis and associated factors.

Background: Delay in diagnosis and treatment worsens the disease and clinical outcomes, which further enhances the transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in the community. Therefore, this study aims to assess treatment delay and its associated factors among childhood pleural TB patients in China.

Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2019, consecutive patients aged ≤15 years with definite or possible pleural TB were included for analysis.