Browsing by Author "Cvetkovic, Aleksandra (57338571000)"

Background: The aim of our study was to investigate serum chitotriosidase level in tuberculosis patients, its relationship with microbiological and clinical parameters, and response to treatment. Materials and methods: This longitudinal panel study included 149 patients with confirmed TB disease. Serum chitotriosidase activity was measured at the beginning and the end of treatment. Factors associated with chitotriosidase activity were explored using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Out of 149 study participants, 71(47.7%) were female. The mean age was 53.0 (SD = 18.2). Majority of cases were new 118(79.2), predominantly 145 (97.3%) having pulmonary tuberculosis. More than half of the patients were sputum smear positive 91 (61.1%) while culture positive in 146 (98%) of them. According to radiological findings, cavitary lesions were found in 92 (63.4%) patients. Anti TB treatment was associated with significant decrease in serum chitotriosidase level (< 0.001). New TB treatment (OR = 4.41%;95% CI = 1.20–9.89), and cavitary lesions (OR = 3.86;95%CI = 0,59-26.57) were found to be significantly associated with decrease of chitotriosidase activity. Conclusions: The results of our study showed that serum chitotriosidase values are strong biomarkers for starting anti TB treatment and for treatment monitoring, since decrease in serum chitotriosidase level can predict favorable treatment response in patients with tuberculosis. Further studies are needed to explore these, and other factors associated with chitotriosidase activity among tuberculosis patients. © The Author(s) 2024.

Introduction: Miliary tuberculosis (MTB) is a potentially lethal form of tuberculosis that can occur in pregnant women, especially those who have conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Case description: A 28-year-old, female patient, after IVF’s fourth attempt, at the end of the first trimester, developed a dry cough, high fever, abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding, which led to the pregnancy termination without resolution of systemic symptoms despite various antibiotics. Because of the appearance of headaches, brain nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was done, and diffuse nodular brain lesions were found, which were initially interpreted as metastatic cancer disease. Afterward, the miliary changes were discovered in various organ systems, and the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed. The antituberculosis treatment was initiated with the standard antituberculosis regimen with excellent clinical response and resolution of miliary changes. Conclusion: Miliary tuberculosis is more common in cases of pregnancies related to IVF. It should be taken into consideration as a possible risk for infertility in the presence of nonspecific symptoms. Screening methods for latent tuberculosis in IVF patients are needed even in a low-burden TB country. Copyright © 2025 Cvetkovic, Blanka Protic, Jovanovic and Adzic Vukicevic.