Discovery and validation of an NMR-based metabolomic profile in urine as TB biomarker.

Despite efforts to improve tuberculosis (TB) detection, limitations in access, quality and timeliness of diagnostic services in low- and middle-income countries are challenging for current TB diagnostics. This study aimed to identify and characterise a metabolic profile of TB in urine by high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry and assess whether the TB metabolic profile is also detected by a low-field benchtop NMR spectrometer. We included 189 patients with tuberculosis, 42 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, 61 individuals infected with latent tuberculosis and 40 uninfected individuals.

In-Home Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using Automatic Video Analysis.

Study Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a non-invasive technology based on image processing for the identification of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its severity at patients' home.

Methods: Observational, prospective, diagnostic accuracy study to evaluate the degree of measure agreement between Sleepwise (SW), in-laboratory attended polysomnography (PSG) and a home sleep apnea test (HSAT). 38 consecutive subjects with suspected OSA referred as outpatients to the sleep unit were recruited from September 2016 to September 2017.

Diagnostic benefits of adding EspC, EspF and Rv2348-B to the QuantiFERON Gold In-tube antigen combination.

Interferon (IFN)-γ release assays (IGRAs) are used to diagnose latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI). To improve the accuracy of these tests, different approaches, such as alternative cytokine detection and using different antigens, are considered. Following this purpose, this study aims to evaluate the addition of EspC, EspF and Rv2348-B to those present in the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFN-G-IT).

Diagnostic Accuracy of Interferon Gamma-Induced Protein 10 mRNA Release Assay for Tuberculosis.

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) are increasingly used to test for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection. Although highly specific, IGRAs have a relatively high false-negative rate in active TB patients. A more sensitive assay is needed.

Update of SEPAR guideline «Diagnosis and Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis».

New evidence and knowledge about the clinical management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in the last 3 years, makes it necessary to update the recent guideline published by SEPAR in 2017, mainly in relation to new diagnostic methods, drug classification, and regimens of treatment recommended to treat patients with isoniazid-resistance TB, rifampicin resistance TB and multidrug-resistant TB. With respect to tuberculosis diagnosis, we recommend the use of rapid molecular assays that also help to detect mutations associated with resistance. In relation to the treatment of multidrug-resistant TB we prioritize effective all-oral shorter treatment regimens including bedaquiline, a fluoroquinolone (levofloxacin or moxifloxacin), bedaquiline and linezolid, instead of the previously recommended short-course treatment with aminoglycosides and other less effective and more toxic drugs.

Evaluation of the Integrated Tuberculosis Research Program Sponsored by the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery: 11 Years on.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the trend of variables related to tuberculosis (TB) from the Integrated Tuberculosis Research Program (PII-TB) registry of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), and to evaluate the PII-TB according to indicators related to its scientific objectives.

Method: Cross-sectional, population-based, multicenter study of new TB cases prospectively registered in the PII-TB between 2006 and 2016. The time trend of quantitative variables was calculated using a lineal regression model, and qualitative variables using the χy test for lineal trend.

Use of IP-10 detection in dried plasma spots for latent tuberculosis infection diagnosis in contacts via mail.

The aim of this study was to test the use of IP-10 detection in dried plasma from contact studies individuals (contacts of smear positive patients), by comparing it with IP-10 and IFN-γ detection in direct plasma, to establish IP-10 detection in DPS as a useful assay for LTBI diagnosis. Whole blood samples were collected from 80 subjects: 12 with active tuberculosis (TB), and 68 from contact studies. The amount of IFN-γ produced by sensitized T cells was determined in direct plasma by QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube test.

Study of CD27 and CCR4 Markers on Specific CD4 T-Cells as Immune Tools for Active and Latent Tuberculosis Management.

The immunological characterization of different cell markers has opened the possibility of considering them as immune tools for tuberculosis (TB) management, as they could correlate with TB latency/disease status and outcome. CD4 T-cells producing IFN-γ with a low expression of CD27 have been described as an active TB marker. In addition, there are unknown homing receptors related to TB, such as CCR4, which might be useful for understanding TB pathogenesis.

Association between air pollution and asthma exacerbations in Badalona, Barcelona (Spain), 2008-2016.

Introduction And Objective: Air pollution has been widely associated with respiratory diseases. Nevertheless, association between air pollution and exacerbations of asthma in our area has been less studied. To analyse the effect of air pollution on exacerbations of asthma in Badalona.

Effect of Air Pollution on Exacerbations of Bronchiectasis in Badalona, Spain, 2008-2016.

Introduction: Air pollution has been widely associated with respiratory diseases. Nevertheless, the association between air pollution and exacerbations of bronchiectasis has been less studied.

Objective: To analyze the effect of air pollution on exacerbations of bronchiectasis.

Systematic Compared With Targeted Staging With Endobronchial Ultrasound in Patients With Lung Cancer.

Background: To evaluate the accuracy of systematic mediastinal staging by endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) (sampling of all visible nodes measuring ≥5 mm from stations N3 to N1 regardless of their positron emission tomography/computed tomography [PET/CT] features) and compare this staging approach with targeted EBUS-TBNA staging (sampling only 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose [FDG]-avid nodes) in patients with N2 non-small cell lung cancer on PET/CT.

Methods: Retrospective study of 107 patients who underwent systematic EBUS-TBNA mediastinal staging. The results were compared with those of a hypothetical scenario where only FDG-avid nodes on PET/CT would be sampled.

Identification of oestrogen, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression in mediastinal metastases of breast cancer obtained by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.

Background: In breast cancer patients, the expression statuses of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are crucial in the choice of treatment. Receptor expression in metastatic lesions can differ from the primary tumour. The aim of our study was to analyse the utility of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) to obtain samples allowing the identification of ER, PR and HER2 expression in patients with mediastinal metastases of breast cancer.

Effectiveness of treatment with nebulized colistin in patients with COPD.

Objectives: To analyze whether the introduction of nebulized colistin in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and infection with (PA) is associated with a decrease of the number and duration of severe exacerbations.

Materials And Methods: Thirty six patients with COPD and infection with PA treated with nebulized colistin attending a day hospital during a 5-year (January 2010-December 2014) period were prospectively included. Repeated-measures -tests were used to assess whether the introduction of colistin was associated with changes in the number of exacerbations or the length of the hospitalizations, comparing for each patient the year prior to the introduction of colistin with the year after.

Association between environmental factors and hospitalisations for bronchiectasis in Badalona, Barcelona, Spain (2007-2015).

Introduction: The relationship between environmental factors and the exacerbation of respiratory diseases has been widely studied. However, there are no studies examining the relationship between these factors and bronchiectasis exacerbations. Our objective was to analyse the association between various environmental factors and hospitalisation for bronchiectasis.

PyroTyping, a novel pyrosequencing-based assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping.

We developed a novel method, PyroTyping, for discrimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates combining pyrosequencing and IS6110 polymorphism. A total of 100 isolates were analysed with IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), spoligotyping, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units - variable number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR), and PyroTyping. PyroTyping results regarding clustering or discrimination of the isolates were highly concordant with the other typing methods performed.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

In the last 2 decades, drug-resistant tuberculosis has become a threat and a challenge to worldwide public health. The diagnosis and treatment of these forms of tuberculosis are much more complex and prognosis clearly worsens as the resistance pattern intensifies. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that with the appropriatesystematic clinical management, most of these patients can be cured.

Transbronchial and transesophageal fine-needle aspiration using a single ultrasound bronchoscope in the diagnosis of locoregional recurrence of surgically-treated lung cancer.

Background: The present study sought to evaluate the usefulness of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of locoregional recurrence of lung cancer in a cohort of lung cancer patients who were previously treated surgically, and describe our initial experience of EUS-B-FNA in this clinical scenario.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the clinical records of all patients with a previous surgically-treated lung cancer who were referred to our bronchoscopy unit after suspicion of locoregional recurrence. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and overall accuracy of EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of locoregional recurrence were evaluated.

Novel approach to continuous adventitious respiratory sound analysis for the assessment of bronchodilator response.

Background: A thorough analysis of continuous adventitious sounds (CAS) can provide distinct and complementary information about bronchodilator response (BDR), beyond that provided by spirometry. Nevertheless, previous approaches to CAS analysis were limited by certain methodology issues. The aim of this study is to propose a new integrated approach to CAS analysis that contributes to improving the assessment of BDR in clinical practice for asthma patients.

Lung Cancer in Patients With Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. A Descriptive Study in a Spanish Series.

Introduction: Information on the association of lung cancer (LC) and combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is limited and derived almost exclusively from series in Asian populations. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of LC on survival in CPFE patients and in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Methods: A retrospective study was performed with data from patients with CFPE and IPF diagnosed in our hospital over a period of 5 years.

Pneumonia presenting with organ dysfunctions: Causative microorganisms, host factors and outcome.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a serious infection that may occasionally rapidly evolve provoking organ dysfunctions. We aimed to characterize CAP presenting with organ dysfunctions at the emergency room, with regard to host factors and causative microorganisms, and its impact on 30-day mortality. 460 of 4070 (11.

Factors Associated with Fatality during the Intensive Phase of Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment.

Objective: To determine the case-fatality rate (CFR) at the end of the intensive phase of tuberculosis (TB) treatment, and factors associated with fatality.

Methods: TB patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2013 were followed-up during treatment. We computed the CFR at the end of the intensive phase of TB treatment, and the incidence of death per 100 person-days (pd) of follow-up.