Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0037116 (silicosis)
 1,822 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Between 1972 and 1981, 38 patients suffering from lung disease by atypical mycobacteria were admitted to our institute. 36 out of them were males and 2 females with an average age of 55 years. In 10 patients silicosis was present. The patients received chemotherapy at special combinations using Rifampicin, Ethambutol and one or two additional drugs. 2 patients could be healed by lung lobe resection. In 12 patients x-ray regression could be observed. In the remaining patients, stabilization of the lung lesions and sputum conversion--at least temporarily--could be obtained. Because of multiple drug resistance, the therapy of mycobacteriosis is complicated, and permanent conversion of sputum cannot always be obtained, especially in diseases caused by M. intracellulare-avium. Bacteriological relapses are to be expected in 30 to 40 percent.
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PMID:[Therapeutic results in lung diseases caused by atypical mycobacteria]. 620 70

It is essential to identify and treat contacts of tuberculosis patients with active disease. Persons exposed through close, prolonged or frequent contact may develop tuberculosis, usually within two years following exposure. What is the harm-benefit balance of tuberculosis prophylaxis in contacts at risk? To answer this question, we conducted a review of the literature, using the standard Prescrire methodology. Standard prophylaxis for pulmonary tuberculosis consists of isoniazid monotherapy for 6 to 12 months.This regimen has been tested in randomised placebo-controlled trials involving tens of thousands of persons with a positive tuberculin skin test (TST). Pulmonary tuberculosis occurred in 0.6% of patients in the isoniazid groups versus 1.7% in the placebo groups, after a follow-up of at least 2 years. However, isoniazid can cause severe hepatic disorders and numerous drug interactions. Rifampicin monotherapy was shown to be effective in only one placebo-controlled trial in patients with silicosis, who have a very high risk of developing tuberculosis. Rifampicin also carries a high risk of drug interactions but is less hepatotoxic than isoniazid. A 3-month course of the isoniazid+ rifampicin combination had a similar harm-benefit balance as a 6- or 9-month course of isoniazid monotherapy. The rifampicin + pyrazinamide combination is no more effective than isoniazid monotherapy but has more hepatic adverse effects. British guidelines issued in 2011 recommend treatment for contacts who have signs of latent tuberculosis infection, based mainly on a positive TST or gamma interferon release assay, and are at high risk of developing active tuberculosis. patients aged at least 2 years who are strongly suspected of having latent tuberculosis infection: either tuberculosis treatment, or chest radiography 3 and 12 months after initial diagnosis. In practice, contacts of infectious patients have a low risk of developing clinical tuberculosis.Treatment reduces the risk of tuberculosis but exposes a large number of persons to numerous, sometimes serious, adverse effects. Watchful waiting for 2 years, without treatment, is often the best option.
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PMID:Contacts of infectious tuberculosis patients: monitor those at highest risk of developing tuberculosis. 2321 Feb 63