Data on tuberculosis reported by researchers at University Hospital
2009 JUL 13 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to a study from Trieste, Italy, "Spontaneous spinal infection (SI) is a quite rare but serious entity. This study aimed to evaluate outcome and follow-up data of SI cases without a microbiological diagnosis (suspected SI)." "We undertook a retrospective, comparative study of 82 spontaneous SI cases in adults presenting over an 11-year period to two Italian hospitals. The diagnostic yields of blood culture, percutaneous needle biopsy of spine, and surgical sample culture were 43.6%, 72.7%, and 91.6%, respectively. Overall, causative organisms were identified in 60 (73.2%) cases, the most frequently isolated pathogens being Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The median diagnostic delay was similar (p = 0.39) in pyogenic (1 month) and suspected (0.5 month) SI cases, and longer in tuberculous cases (4 months) than in the other SI case groups (p = 0.069 and p = 0.062, respectively). All patients received antibiotic treatment, and 21 (25.5%) underwent surgery, that was required more frequently in tuberculous (40.7%) than in pyogenic (25.0%) and suspected SI cases (9.1%) (p = 0.028). Of 67 patients who completed a 1-year follow-up period, 24 had persisting painful disability that was more frequent in tuberculous (66.7%) cases than in pyogenic (21.7%) and suspected SI (15.0%) cases (p = 0.03). Although a microbiological diagnosis was not achieved in nearly a quarter of SI cases, both diagnostic delay and outcome were similar to those of pyogenic SI cases," wrote R. Luzzati and colleagues, University Hospital. The researchers concluded: "Earlier recognition of tuberculous SI is mandatory, as this is associated with the highest long-term morbidity." Luzzati and colleagues published the results of their research in the Journal of Infection (Diagnosis, management and outcome of clinically-suspected spinal infection. Journal of Infection, 2009;58(4):259-265). For additional information, contact R. Luzzati, University Hospital, Infectious Disease Unit, Via Stuparich 1, I-34125 Trieste, Italy. The publisher of the Journal of Infection can be contacted at: W B Saunders Co. Ltd., 32 Jamestown Rd., London NW1 7BY, England. Keywords: Italy, Trieste, Biopsy, Cutaneous Tuberculosis, Diagnostics, Mycobacteria, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Osteomyelitis, Rheumatology, Spondylitis, Surgery, University Hospital. This article was prepared by Tuberculosis Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Tuberculosis Week via NewsRx.com.
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