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Tuberculosis (TB) is still a health problem in developing countries. Pulmonary involvement remains the most common clinical presentation. However, multiorgan involvement can be life-threatening. We present the case of a young woman on peritoneal dialysis who was admitted to hospitalisation for hypercalcaemia and low back pain. In his biochemical evaluation, suppressed intact parthyroid hormone (iPTH) and elevated 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D were detected. On a lumbar CT scan, a hypodense lesion in vertebral bodies compatible with Pott's disease was found. Positive cultures for Mycobacterium bovis were obtained in bronchoalveolar lavage and peritoneal fluid, for which specific treatment was initiated. Due to neurological deterioration, a CT scan was performed showing the presence of multiple tuberculomas. Retrospectively, the lack of an etiological diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, the initiation of dialysis 8 months before and the clear evidence of long-standing TB strongly suggest mycobacterium infection as the cause or trigger for the rapid decline in kidney function.

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Abstract Objective To describe the clinico-epidemiological, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of tuberculous spondylodiscitis in the Brazilian population, and to assess whether there are differences between patients in whom the etiological agent in Pott disease was isolated or not. Methods Patients diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) of the spine (Pott disease) underwent follow-up between 2009 and 2019 at a quaternary hospital and were divided into 2 groups: successful isolation (SI) of the etiological agent (through bacilloscopy, culture, or positive molecular rapid test) and unsuccessful isolation (UI) of the etiological agent. Results From a total of 26 patients diagnosed with TB of the spine, 21 (80.7%) were male, with a mean age of 40 ± 22.5 years. The average lymphocyte counts were higher in the UI group (25.35 ± 13.08; p= 0.025) compared to the SI group (14.18 ± 7.48). Moreover, the monocyte/lymphocyte ratio was lower in the UI group (0.39 ± 0.22; p= 0.009) than in the SI group (0.89 ± 0.65). Relative lymphocyte counts higher than or equal to 16.7 had a sensitivity of 76.9% and specificity of 62.5% in the UI group. Values higher than or equal to 0.58 for the monocyte/lymphocyte ratio showed a sensitivity of 84.6% and specificity of 75.0% in the UI group. Conclusion No differences were observed regarding the clinico-epidemiological and radiological characteristics of the two experimental groups. However, the UI group had higher lymphocyte counts and a lower monocyte/lymphocyte ratio.

Resumo Objetivo Descrever as características clínico-epidemiológicas, laboratoriais e radiológicas da espondilodiscite tuberculosa na população brasileira e avaliar se há diferenças entre pacientes em que o agente etiológico da doença de Pott foi isolado ou não. Métodos Os pacientes diagnosticados com tuberculose (TB) da coluna (doença de Pott) foram acompanhados em um hospital quaternário entre 2009 e 2019 e divididos em 2 grupos: isolamento positivo (IP) do agente etiológico (por baciloscopia, cultura ou teste rápido molecular positivo) e isolamento negativo (IN) do agente etiológico. Resultados De um total de 26 pacientes com diagnóstico de TB da coluna, 21 (80,7%) eram do sexo masculino, e a média de idade era de 40 ± 22,5 anos. As contagens médias de linfócitos foram maiores no grupo IN (25,35 ± 13,08; p= 0,025) do que no grupo IP (14,18 ± 7,48). Além disso, a relação monócito/linfócito foi menor no grupo IN (0,39 ± 0,22; p= 0,009) do que no grupo IP (0,89 ± 0,65). O número relativo de linfócitos maior ou igual a 16,7 teve sensibilidade de 76,9% e especificidade de 62,5% no grupo IN. A razão monócito/linfócito maior ou igual a 0,58 teve sensibilidade de 84,6% e especificidade de 75,0% no grupo IN. Conclusão Não observamos diferenças em relação às características clínico-epidemiológicas e radiológicas entre os dois grupos experimentais. No entanto, o grupo IN apresentou maior número de linfócitos e menor razão monócito/linfócito.

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The authors present a case of a probable Pott disease from central/southern Mexico, dated 300 BC to 500 AD. This case highlights the importance of iconotopsy/iconodiagnosis for a better description of the natural history of diseases, especially as a complement to morphological analyses of human remains (paleopathology) and laboratory exams (DNA or immunology testing).

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Pott's disease is a health problem in developing countries and its diagnosis in children is a challenge. Here we present the case of a two-year-old boy with Pott's disease involving T1 to T3 thoracic vertebrae. The clinical presentation was characterized by difficulty walking, fever, cough, and dyspnea. At physical examination, kyphosis and bony prominence were observed in the cervicodorsal area. A positive tuberculin test was obtained, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated via culture of the gastric aspiration sample. The spine MRI showed a chronic abscess, destruction of two vertebrae, and bone marrow compression. The patient experienced some improvement with anti-TB therapy. Here, we emphasize the importance of giving consideration to the clinical suspicion for the early detection of this condition, as well as a quick TB-treatment start so as to avoid the disability and mortality associated to this disease.

La enfermedad de Pott es un problema de salud en países en desarrollo y su diagnóstico en niños es un desafío. Presentamos el caso de un niño de dos años de edad, con enfermedad de Pott que compromete vértebras torácicas de T1 a T3. El cuadro clínico se caracterizó por dificultad para caminar, fiebre, tos y disnea. Al examen físico, se evidenció cifosis y prominencia ósea en la región cervicodorsal. Se obtuvo una prueba de tuberculina positiva y se aisló Mycobacterium tuberculosis en el cultivo del aspirado gástrico. La resonancia de columna vertebral mostró un absceso frio, destrucción de dos vértebras y compresión de la médula espinal. El paciente presentó mejoría con la terapia antituberculosa. Resaltamos la importancia de tener en cuenta la sospecha clínica para la detección temprana de esta condición, así como un inicio rápido del tratamiento antituberculoso, para evitar la discapacidad y mortalidad asociada a esta enfermedad.

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RESUMEN La enfermedad de Pott es un problema de salud en países en desarrollo y su diagnóstico en niños es un desafío. Presentamos el caso de un niño de dos años de edad, con enfermedad de Pott que compromete vértebras torácicas de T1 a T3. El cuadro clínico se caracterizó por dificultad para caminar, fiebre, tos y disnea. Al examen físico, se evidenció cifosis y prominencia ósea en la región cervicodorsal. Se obtuvo una prueba de tuberculina positiva y se aisló Mycobacterium tuberculosis en el cultivo del aspirado gástrico. La resonancia de columna vertebral mostró un absceso frio, destrucción de dos vértebras y compresión de la médula espinal. El paciente presentó mejoría con la terapia antituberculosa. Resaltamos la importancia de tener en cuenta la sospecha clínica para la detección temprana de esta condición, así como un inicio rápido del tratamiento antituberculoso, para evitar la discapacidad y mortalidad asociada a esta enfermedad.

ABSTRACT Pott's disease is a health problem in developing countries and its diagnosis in children is a challenge. Here we present the case of a two-year-old boy with Pott's disease involving T1 to T3 thoracic vertebrae. The clinical presentation was characterized by difficulty walking, fever, cough, and dyspnea. At physical examination, kyphosis and bony prominence were observed in the cervicodorsal area. A positive tuberculin test was obtained, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated via culture of the gastric aspiration sample. The spine MRI showed a chronic abscess, destruction of two vertebrae, and bone marrow compression. The patient experienced some improvement with anti-TB therapy. Here, we emphasize the importance of giving consideration to the clinical suspicion for the early detection of this condition, as well as a quick TB-treatment start so as to avoid the disability and mortality associated to this disease.

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Multifocal tuberculosis in a child is rare event. Here we report a case of multifocal tuberculosis revealed by spinal tuberculosis in an eleven-year-old French Guianese girl. This observation underlines the difficulties, the consequences of delay, and the necessity of an early diagnosis of this disease for children.

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Introducción: la tuberculosis vertebral (espondilodiscitis tuberculosa o enfermedad de Pott) se origina por la diseminación, a partir de un foco primario pulmonar, de la infección a la columna vertebral; afecta principalmente las vértebras entre la D8 y L3. De los casos de tuberculosis pulmonar, 3 por ciento son pacientes con espondilodiscitis tuberculosa, mientras que entre los casos de tuberculosis extrapulmonar 35 por ciento presentan esta entidad. Presentación del caso: paciente masculino de 33 años de edad con un cuadro respiratorio de cuatro meses de evolución –tos y expectoración (ocasionalmente con estrías sanguinolentas)–, fiebre intermitente de 39 °C, pérdida de peso progresiva y dolor toracolumbar crónico que no se aliviaba con analgésicos ni antiinflamatorios. En el examen físico se encontraron mucosas húmedas e hipocoloreadas, tejido celular subcutáneo no infiltrado, murmullo vesicular audible, estertores crepitantes y subcrepitantes en ambos pulmones y dolor exquisito a la palpación entre las vértebras D12 y L1. Mediante los exámenes complementarios e imagenológicos se confirmó el diagnóstico de espondilodiscitis tuberculosa. Al paciente se le indicó tratamiento antituberculoso.Discusión: el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad es complejo porque sus síntomas y signos son insidiosos e inespecíficos y son imprescindibles los exámenes imagenológicos y microbiológicos. Como regla, el retraso diagnóstico suele ser de más de tres meses, lo que incide negativamente en el pronóstico de la enfermedad.Conclusiones: el diagnóstico oportuno de la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis y los estudios imagenológicos y microbiológicos son fundamentales tanto para confirmar la sospecha diagnóstica de espondilodiscitis tuberculosa como para seguir la evolución del paciente(AU)

Introduction: spinal tuberculosis (tuberculous spondylodiscitis or Pott's disease) is caused by the spread of the infection, from a primary pulmonary outbreak, to the spine; it mainly affects the vertebrae between the D8 and L3. Of the cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, 3 percent are patients with tuberculous spondylodiscitis, whereas among cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis 35 percent present this entity.Case presentation: a 33 year-old male patient with a four-month respiratory history –cough and expectoration (occasionally bloody striae)–, intermittent fever of 39 °C, progressive weight loss and chronic thoracolumbar pain not relieved with analgesics or anti-inflammatories. Physical examination revealed humid and hypocolored mucosae, non-infiltrated subcutaneous cellular tissue, audible vesicular murmur, crepitant and subcrepitant rales in both lungs and an exquisite pain during palpation between the D12 and L1 vertebrae. The diagnosis of tuberculous spondylodiscitis was confirmed by complementary and imaging examinations. The patient was given antituberculous treatment.Discussion: the diagnosis of this disease is complex because its symptoms and signs are insidious and nonspecific and imaging and microbiological examinations are essential. As a rule, the diagnostic delay is usually more than three months, which negatively affects the prognosis of the disease.Conclusions: timely diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and imaging and microbiological studies are essential both to confirm the diagnostic suspicion of tuberculous spondylodiscitis and to follow the evolution of the patient(AU)

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BACKGROUND: Pott's disease or spinal tuberculosis (STB) is a serious infectious disease, caused by the migration of the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the spine. Knowing this disease is a priority for all the physicians. The objective was to show the experience in patients with STB treated in a third level hospital in Puebla, Mexico. METHODS: Descriptive study. From January to December, 2014, we collected information of patients with STB. The variables were age, gender, length of hospital stay, affected segment of the spine, associated diseases, symptoms, diagnostic methods, type of treatment and complication. We used descriptive statistics, as well as measures of central tendency and dispersion. RESULTS: We studied 14 patients, 71.4 % male; mean age was 60.29 ± 16.54 years (33-93); the average hospital stay was 18.93 ± 9.32 days (4-34). The affected segment was thoracic in six patients (42.85%) and lumbar in eight (57.15%). Nine patients had associated diseases (64.28%) and five did not (35.7%). All patients received medical treatment and 11 surgical procedures were performed in a total of five patients (35.7%). Complications occurred in two patients (14.3%). CONCLUSIONS: STB must be managed early to avoid complications. Coordination with the first level of medical care is very important, as well as the adherence to national and international guidelines.

Introducción: La tuberculosis de la columna (TBC) es una enfermedad infecciosa grave, ocasionada por la migración de la bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis hacia la columna vertebral. El conocimiento de esta enfermedad es prioritario para el médico no familiar y familiar. Presentamos la experiencia en pacientes con TBC de un hospital del tercer nivel en Puebla, México. Métodos: estudio descriptivo. De enero a diciembre de 2014 recolectamos expedientes de pacientes con TBC. Las variables fueron edad, género, tiempo de estancia intrahospitalaria, enfermedades asociadas, sintomatología, métodos diagnósticos, segmento de la columna vertebral afectado, tipo de tratamiento empleado y complicaciones. Se usó estadística descriptiva, medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión. Resultados: fueron 14 pacientes (71.4% hombres); la edad promedio fue 60.29 ± 16.54 años (33-93), la estancia intrahospitalaria promedio fue de 18.93 ± 9.32 días (4-34). El segmento afectado fue el dorsal en seis pacientes (42.85%) y el lumbar en ocho (57.15%). Hubo enfermedades asociadas en nueve pacientes (64.28%). Todos los pacientes recibieron tratamiento médico. Se realizaron 11 procedimientos quirúrgicos a cinco pacientes (35.7%). Las complicaciones se presentaron en dos pacientes (14.3%). Conclusiones: La TBC debe ser manejada tempranamente para evitar complicaciones graves. La atención con el primer nivel de atención médica se debe coordinar y debemos apegarnos a lineamientos nacionales e internacionales de tratamiento.

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Introducción: la tuberculosis es la séptima causa de muerte mundial. Menos del 1% de los pacientes tiene compromiso raquídeo. El objetivo del estudio fue investigar la frecuencia del mal de Pott en la provincia e identificar pautas para regiones similares. Materiales y Métodos: Rastreo de pacientes internados por tuberculosis entre 1996 y 2014, en Hospitales provinciales de cabecera. Revisión de historias de casos raquídeos. Clasificaciones de Frankel y del GATA. Datos de censos nacionales. Revisión bibliográfica. Resultados: Catorce casos: 8 varones/6 mujeres. Edad promedio: 35.4 años (rango 3.8-63). Seguimiento: 2.8 años (1 mes-15 años); un óbito posoperatorio inmediato. Siete pacientes provenían de Departamentos con baja carga de morbilidad de tuberculosis. Síntomas iniciales: déficit neurológico (9 casos), dolor axial o radicular puro (4 casos) y deformidad vertebral pura (1 caso). Frankel al ingreso: E (5 casos), D (2), C (2) y A (5). Localizaciones: torácica, 5; toracolumbar, 6; lumbar, 1; múltiple 2 pacientes. Distribución étnica: 5 caucásicos, 5 aborígenes, 3 criollos, 1 mestizo. Según la Clasificación del GATA: 1 lesión de tipo IB; 4 de tipo II; 8 de tipo III; 1 caso inclasificable. Los pacientes de etnia originaria tuvieron cuadros neurológicos y lesiones GATA más graves. Doce fueron operados; 5 presentaron deformidad secuelar, sin diferencias entre doble instrumentación, instrumentación posterior aislada o sin instrumentación. Al seguimiento: 8 pacientes asintomáticos, 4 fallecidos y 2 con síntomas moderados; no hubo deterioros neurológicos y solo 5 mejorías. Conclusiones: En pacientes de etnia originaria son más frecuentes las formas graves, las presentaciones avanzadas y de tratamiento quirúrgico habitual. La mortalidad es alta.

Introduction: tuberculosis is the seventh leading cause of death. Spinal involvement represents <1% of cases. The objective was to investigate the frequency of Pott´s disease in our province, to typify its profile and to identify guidelines for similar regions. Methods: Identification of all tuberculosis admissions from 1996 to 2014 in the main referral hospitals of our province. Medical records review of all cases with spinal involvement. Frankel and GATA classifications. Data from last national census. Literature review. Results: Fourteen cases: 8 males/6 females. Average age: 35.4 years (range 3.8-63). Follow-up: 2.8 years (range 1 month-15 years); one immediate postoperative death. Seven patients came from low tuberculosis burden Departments. Initial symptoms: neurological impairment (9 cases), pure axial and/or radicular pain (4 cases) and pure spine deformity (1 patient). Initial Frankel: E, 5 cases; D, 2; C, 2; and A, 5 patients. Localization: thoracic, 5; thoraco-lumbar, 6; lumbar, 1; multiple 2 patients. Ethnic distribution: 5 caucasians, 5 natives, 3 creoles, 1 mestizo. According to GATA classification: 1 type IB lesion; 4 type II; 8 type III; one unclassifiable case. Native patients had more severe neurological and GATA lesions. Twelve patients were operated on; 5 had residual deformities without differences among double instrumentation, isolated posterior instrumentation and no instrumentation. At follow-up: 8 asymptomatic cases, 4 deceased and 2 patients with moderate symptoms. No neurological worsening was observed; only 5 patients improved. Conclusions: Severe forms, and advanced and common surgical presentations are more frequent in native patients. Mortality is high.

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Deep Candida infections commonly occur in immunosuppressed patients. A rare case of a multiple deep organ infection with Candida albicans and spinal tuberculosis was reported in a healthy young man. The 19-year-old man complained of month-long fever and lower back pain. He also had a history of scalded mouth syndrome. Coinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans was diagnosed using the culture of aspirates from different regions. Symptoms improved considerably after antifungal and antituberculous therapy. This case illustrates that infection with tuberculosis might impair the host's immune system and increase the risk of invasive candidiasis in an immunocompetent patient.

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Deep Candida infections commonly occur in immunosuppressed patients. A rare case of a multiple deep organ infection with Candida albicans and spinal tuberculosis was reported in a healthy young man. The 19-year-old man complained of month-long fever and lower back pain. He also had a history of scalded mouth syndrome. Coinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans was diagnosed using the culture of aspirates from different regions. Symptoms improved considerably after antifungal and antituberculous therapy. This case illustrates that infection with tuberculosis might impair the host's immune system and increase the risk of invasive candidiasis in an immunocompetent patient.

As infecções profundas por Candida ocorrem geralmente em pacientes imunossuprimidos. Relatamos caso raro de infecções profundas em múltiplos órgãos por Candida albicans e neuro tuberculose em homem jovem saudável. Um jovem de 19 anos de idade queixou-se de febre e lombalgia há um mês. Relatava ainda histórico de síndrome da boca escaldada. Foi diagnosticada co-infecção por Mycobacterium tuberculosis e Candida albicans em cultura do aspirado de diferentes regiões do organismo. Os sintomas melhoraram significativamente após a terapia antifúngica e antituberculosa. Este caso é apresentado para mostrar que a tuberculose pode prejudicar o sistema imune do hospedeiro e aumentar o risco de candidíase invasiva em paciente imunocompetente.

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UNLABELLED: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem in the world. The clinical forms of TB in children are variable, pulmonary involvement occurs in two thirds of cases. In the remaining third, clinical forms incluye node, meningeal and osteoarticular involvement. CASE REPORT: 7 year old boy with a history of an osteolytic lesion of the right ischial branch. Three months later he presented with spondylodiscitis at L2-L3, associated with a large abscess in the right iliac psoas muscle. Pott's disease was suspected, and tuberculin test and T-SPOT®.TB test were performed, with a positive result. Antimicrobial treatment was initiated with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. After 30 days, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from psoas abscess. We discuss methods of TB diagnosis, with special emphasis on immunological methods: tuberculin test and interferon-gamma release assays. Methods of immunological TB diagnosis are an important contribution to the diagnosis of this disease, allowing early initiation of treatment.

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Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem in the world. The clinical forms of TB in children are variable, pulmonary involvement occurs in two thirds of cases. In the remaining third, clinical forms incluye node, meningeal and osteoarticular involvement. Case report: 7 year old boy with a history of an osteolytic lesion of the right ischial branch. Three months later he presented with spondylodiscitis at L2-L3, associated with a large abscess in the right iliac psoas muscle. Pott's disease was suspected, and tuberculin test and T-SPOT®.TB test were performed, with a positive result. Antimicrobial treatment was initiated with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. After 30 days, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from psoas abscess. We discuss methods of TB diagnosis, with special emphasis on immunological methods: tuberculin test and interferon-gamma release assays. Methods of immunological TB diagnosis are an important contribution to the diagnosis of this disease, allowing early initiation of treatment.

La tuberculosis sigue siendo un importante problema en salud en el mundo. Las formas clínicas de TBC en los niños son muy variadas, presentándose en dos tercios de los casos compromiso pulmonar. En el tercio restante destacan los compromisos ganglionar, meníngeo y osteoarticular. Caso clínico: varón de 7 años que presentó una espondilodiscitis L2-L3, asociada a un absceso en músculo psoas-ilíaco derecho. Por sospecha de mal de Pott se realizó PPD y T-SPOT®.TB que resultaron positivos. Se inició tratamiento antimicrobiano asociado con isoniazida, rifampicina, pirazinamida y etambutol. Después de 30 días, se aisló Mycobacterium tuberculosis del absceso del psoas. Se discute los métodos de diagnóstico de TBC en pediatría, con especial énfasis en los métodos inmunológicos: reacción de tuberculina y test de liberación de interferón-gamma, los que son una importante contribución para el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad, permitiendo el pronto inicio de su tratamiento.

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La tuberculosis vertebral, también conocida como espondilitis tuberculosa, enfermedad de Pott o mal de Pott, es una presentación de la tuberculosis extrapulmonar. Se presenta el caso de una paciente venezolana de 35 años de edad, aquejada de sacrolumbalgia. Al realizarle estudio de resonancia magnética en un centro de alta tecnología, se le diagnosticó mal de Pott. La tuberculosis constituye un problema de salud en Venezuela, al igual que lo es para muchos países. El mal de Pott, al no ser frecuente en el adulto, deberá tomarse en cuenta ante cuadros persistentes de dolor lumbar. Es importante diagnosticar la enfermedad de manera oportuna a fin de administrar el tratamiento específico durante las primeras manifestaciones y evitar inestabilidad vertebral, compromiso neurológico o deformidad cifótica vertebral(AU)

Vertebral tuberculosis, also known like espondilitis tuberculous, disease of Pott or Pott's disease, is a presentation of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. A case of a 35 year old female Venezuelan patient was presented with a history of sacrum lumbar pain. A study of magnetic resonance in a high-technology center was accomplished and Pott's disease was diagnosed. The tuberculosis constitutes a heath problem in Venezuela as well as in many other countries. Pott's disease is not common in adults, but it should be taken into account on persistent or chronic lumbar pain. It is important to diagnose the disease timely to administrate the specific treatment during the first manifestations and avoid vertebral instability, neurological compromise or xiphotic vertebral deformity(AU)

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Tuberculosis is the commonest cause of spinal infection worldwide (9-46%). Tuberculosis spondylodiscitis causes multifocal thoracic and lumbar spinal disease, and big paraspinal and psoas abscesses. It is more frequent in people under 40 who had previous tuberculosis infection and from countries where the illness is endemic. Clinic is non-specific and sub-acute. We report the clinical case of a 29-year-old patient who suffered from pericardic tuberculosis in her childhood and who presents a bilateral retroperitoneal abscess due to tuberculosis spondylodiscitis. Her clinical debut began with left inguinal pain and an irreducible mass at this level that simulated an incarcerated inguinal hernia, which is why surgery was indicated. Due to discrepancies between intraoperative findings and the initial diagnosis, the diagnosis and treatment strategy were changed. The purpose of this case report is to emphasize the challenge that the diagnosis of this pathology represents, due to low incidence in our environment and poor clinical features, which results in late diagnosis and late management.

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Two cases of spinal tuberculosis in atypical regions are presented; in the lumbosacral hinge and cranio-cervical regions respectively; focusing on the radiological appearance using Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance. With regard to these atypical presentations, the clinical history, epidemiology and radiology of spinal tuberculosis are reviewed.

Se presentan dos casos de tuberculosis espinal en localizaciones atípicas; la charnela lumbo-sacra y cráneo-cervical respectivamente; centrándonos en su aspecto radiológico por tomografía computarizada (TC) y resonancia magnética. A propósito de estas atípicas presentaciones se revisa la clínica, epidemiología y radiología de la tuberculosis en la columna vertebral.

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Spinal tuberculosis is the most common manifestation of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. It is difficult to diagnose the disease due to its insidious onset and non-specific clinical presentation. A high degree of suspicion and appropriate imaging studies are necessary for its early diagnosis and treatment. The authors report a case of lumbosacral tuberculosis in an adult patient presenting with hip pain and abscesses.

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BACKGROUND: Atypical spinal tuberculosis (TB) usually presents in a slowly indolent manner with nonspecific clinical presentations making the diagnosis a great challenge for physicians. New technologies for the detection of atypical spinal TB are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay in clinically suspected cases of atypical spinal TB in China. METHODS: From March 2011 to September 2012, a total of 65 patients with suspected atypical spinal TB were enrolled. In addition to conventional tests for TB, we used ELISPOT assays to measure the IFN-I response to ESAT-γ and CFP-10 in T-cells in samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Patients with suspected atypical spinal TB were classified by diagnostic category. Data on clinical characteristics of the patients and conventional laboratory results were collected. RESULTS: Out of 65 patients, 4 were excluded from the study. 18 (29.5%) subjects had cultureconfirmed TB, 11 (18.0%) subjects had probable TB, and the remaining 32 (52.5%) subjects did not have TB. Generally, the features of atypical spinal TB include the following aspects: (1) worm-eaten destruction of vertebral endplate; (2) destruction of centricity of the vertebral body or concentric collapse of vertebral body; (3) tuberculous abscess with no identifiable osseous lesion; (4) contiguous or skipped vertebral body destruction. 26 patients with atypical spinal TB had available biopsy or surgical specimens for histopathologic examination and 23 (88.5%) specimens had pathologic features consistent with TB infection. The sensitivities of the PPD skin test and ELISPOT assay for atypical spinal TB were 58.6% and 82.8%, and their specificities were 59.4% and 81.3%, respectively. Malnutrition and age were associated with ELISPOT positivity in atypical spinal TB patients. CONCLUSIONS: The ELISPOT assay is a useful adjunct to current tests for diagnosis of atypical spinal TB.

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