RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a associação entre adesão ao tratamento e mortalidade em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) tratados no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Métodos Este é um estudo de coorte de pacientes com DPOC moderada a grave acompanhados em um programa público de gerenciamento de doença (PGD) baseado no cuidado farmacêutico. Todos os indivíduos que foram a óbito um ano após o início da coorte foram pareados por idade com aqueles que permaneceram vivos ao final do período da coorte. A adesão ao tratamento foi medida através dos registros de dispensação de medicamentos. Os pacientes que receberam pelo menos 90% das doses prescritas foram considerados aderentes ao tratamento. Resultados Dos 333 pacientes (52,8%, idade ≥ 65 anos: 67,9% do sexo masculino), 67,3% aderiram ao tratamento (taxa de adesão = 87,2%). A mortalidade foi associada à não adesão (p = 0,04), presença de sintomas (mMRC ≥ 2) e uso de tratamento para DPOC. Os óbitos foram associados à não adesão, presença de sintomas e hospitalização prévia. Após ajuste, pacientes não aderentes ao tratamento foram quase duas vezes mais propensos a ir a óbito em comparação àqueles aderentes (hazard ratio = 1,86; [IC95%, 1,16-2,98], p = 0,01). Conclusão A não adesão ao tratamento foi associada à maior mortalidade entre pacientes com DPOC de moderada a grave tratados no SUS. Estratégias de monitoramento e otimização da adesão devem ser fomentadas a fim de reduzir a mortalidade relacionada à DPOC.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the association between adherence to treatment and mortality among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients treated in the Brazilian public health system. Methods This is cohort study of moderate-to-severe COPD patients monitored in a public pharmaceutical care-based Disease Management Program (DMP). All subjects who died one year after the beginning of the cohort were age-matched with those who remained alive at the end of the cohort period. Treatment adherence was measured through pharmacy records. Patients who received at least 90% of the prescribed doses were considered adherent to treatment. Results Of the 333 patients (52.8% age ≥ 65 years, 67.9% male), 67.3% were adherent to treatment (adherence rate, 87.2%). Mortality was associated with lack of adherence (p = 0.04), presence of symptoms (mMRC ≥ 2) and COPD treatment use. The death was associated with non-adherence, presence of symptoms and previous hospitalization. After adjustment, non-adherent patients to treatment were almost twice times likely to die compared to those adherents (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.86; CI 1.16-2.98, p = 0.01). Conclusion Non-adherence to treatment was associated with higher mortality among moderate-to-severe COPD patients treated in the Brazilian public health system. Strategies to monitor and optimize adherence should be strengthened to reduce COPD-related mortality.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever o padrão de tratamento farmacológico da DPOC no estado da Bahia e avaliar a conformidade desse padrão com diretrizes clínicas de manejo da doença. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal envolvendo 441 pacientes referenciados da Rede de Atenção à Saúde do Estado da Bahia para um ambulatório de referência público de um programa do Sistema Único de Saúde de gerenciamento da DPOC. Foram incluídos no estudo indivíduos com diagnóstico de DPOC moderada a muito grave, confirmado por espirometria. Os pacientes foram avaliados com relação ao uso de algum medicamento para o tratamento da doença nos últimos sete dias. A avaliação da adequação ou da inadequação (sub ou sobretratamento) do tratamento farmacológico dos pacientes foi realizada comparando-se o tratamento atual desses pacientes ao preconizado por diretrizes nacionais e internacionais. Resultados: Um total de 383 indivíduos foi incluído na análise. Aproximadamente metade dos pacientes (49,1%) utilizava algum broncodilatador de longa duração. Esses pacientes eram mais idosos e possuíam maior tempo de duração da doença. Da amostra, 63,7% e 83,0% não recebiam tratamento farmacológico em concordância com as recomendações internacionais e nacionais, respectivamente. A inadequação por subtratamento foi identificada em mais da metade dos pacientes. Conclusões: Os broncodilatadores de longa duração são frequentemente subutilizados em indivíduos com DPOC moderada a muito grave no Sistema Único de Saúde da Bahia. Nesta amostra, a maioria dos pacientes era tratada de forma inadequada, com predominância de subtratamento. Estratégias que melhorem o acesso a broncodilatadores de longa duração e a qualidade do manejo farmacológico da doença são necessárias.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe COPD pharmacological treatment patterns in the state of Bahia, Brazil, and to evaluate the extent to which these patterns conform to clinical guidelines for the management of COPD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 441 patients referred from the Public Health Care Network of the state of Bahia to a public referral outpatient clinic of a COPD management program of the Brazilian Unified Health Care System. Individuals with a spirometry-confirmed diagnosis of moderate to very severe COPD were included in the study. Patients were evaluated as to whether they had used any COPD medications in the last seven days. The appropriateness or inappropriateness (undertreatment or overtreatment) of the patient’s pharmacological treatment was evaluated by comparing the patient’s current treatment with that recommended by national and international guidelines. Results: A total of 383 individuals were included in the analysis. Approximately half of the patients (49.1%) used long-acting bronchodilators. These patients were older and had had the disease longer. Of the sample as a whole, 63.7% and 83.0% did not receive pharmacological treatment in accordance with international and national recommendations, respectively. Inappropriateness due to undertreatment was indentified in more than half of the patients. Conclusions: Long-acting bronchodilators are frequently underused in individuals with moderate to very severe COPD within the Brazilian Unified Health Care System in the state of Bahia. Most patients in our sample were treated inappropriately, and undertreatment predominated. Strategies to improve access to long-acting bronchodilators and the quality of COPD pharmacological management are required.

OBJETIVO: Descrever os achados de função pulmonar em crianças e adolescentes sem doenças respiratórias e com excesso de peso. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com crianças e adolescentes de 8 a 18 anos de ambos os sexos, com excesso de peso e sem doença respiratória, submetidos à avaliação antropométrica, radiografia de tórax, oximetria de pulso, espirometria e medidas de volume pulmonar. Indivíduos com patologias respiratórias, tabagistas ativos, radiografia anormal ou SpO2 = 92% foram excluídos do estudo. A circunferência da cintura foi medida em centímetros. O escore z para índice de massa corpórea/idade e sexo foi utilizado para classificar os indivíduos como com sobrepeso, obesos e obesos graves. As variáveis dos testes de função pulmonar foram expressas em percentual do previsto e correlacionadas com os índices antropométricos. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 59 indivíduos (30 meninos e 29 meninas). A média de idade foi de 11,7 ± 2,7 anos. Os resultados dos testes de função pulmonar foram normais em 21 indivíduos (35,6%). Dos 38 indivíduos restantes, 19 (32,2%), 15 (25,4%) e 4 (6,7%) apresentaram, respectivamente, distúrbio ventilatório obstrutivo, restritivo e misto. A resposta ao broncodilatador foi positiva em 15 indivíduos (25,4%), e a medida da CPT revelou que todos os indivíduos com CV reduzida apresentavam distúrbio ventilatório restritivo. Houve correlações negativas significantes entre os índices antropométricos e índice de Tiffeneau nos indivíduos com distúrbio ventilatório misto. CONCLUSÕES: A função pulmonar apresentou-se alterada em aproximadamente 65% dos indivíduos com sobrepeso aqui avaliados, predominando distúrbio ventilatório obstrutivo e resposta positiva ao broncodilatador.

OBJECTIVE: To describe lung function findings in overweight children and adolescents without respiratory disease. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving male and female overweight children and adolescents in the 8-18 year age bracket, without respiratory disease. All of the participants underwent anthropometric assessment, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry, spirometry, and lung volume measurements. Individuals with respiratory disease were excluded, as were those who were smokers, those with abnormal chest X-rays, and those with an SpO2 = 92%. Waist circumference was measured in centimeters. The body mass index-for-age Z score for boys and girls was used in order to classify the individuals as overweight, obese, or severely obese. Lung function variables were expressed in percentage of the predicted value and were correlated with the anthropometric indices. RESULTS: We included 59 individuals (30 males and 29 females). The mean age was 11.7 ± 2.7 years. Lung function was normal in 21 individuals (35.6%). Of the 38 remaining individuals, 19 (32.2%), 15 (25.4%), and 4 (6.7%) presented with obstructive, restrictive, and mixed ventilatory disorder, respectively. The bronchodilator response was positive in 15 individuals (25.4%), and TLC measurements revealed that all of the individuals with reduced VC had restrictive ventilatory disorder. There were significant negative correlations between the anthropometric indices and the Tiffeneau index in the individuals with mixed ventilatory disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Lung function was abnormal in approximately 65% of the individuals evaluated here, all of whom were overweight. Obstructive ventilatory disorder and positive bronchodilator response predominated.

Despite the efforts made worldwide to reduce the number of cases of drug-susceptible tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) constitutes an important public health issue. Around 440,000 new cases of MDR-TB are estimated annually, although in 2008 only 7% of these (29,423 cases) were notified. The laboratory tests for diagnosing resistance may be phenotypic (based on culture growth in the presence of drugs) or genotypic (i.e. identification of the presence of mutations that confer resistance). The urgent need for a rapid means of detecting resistance to anti-TB drugs has resulted in the development of many genotypic methods over recent years. The treatment of MDR-TB is expensive, complex, prolonged (18-24 months) and associated with a higher incidence of adverse reactions. Some basic principles must be observed when prescribing an adequate treatment regimen for MDR-TB: (a) the association of at least four drugs (three of which should not have been used previously); (b) use of a fluoroquinolone; and (c) use of an injectable anti-TB drug. In Brazil, the therapeutic regimen for MDR-TB has been standardized and consists of five drugs: terizidone, levofloxacin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and an aminoglycoside (streptomycin or amikacin). Pulmonary resection is an important tool in the coadjuvant treatment of MDR-TB. While a recent meta-analysis revealed an average cure rate of MDR-TB of 69%, clinical studies are currently being conducted with new drugs and with drugs already available on the market but with a new indication for TB, with encouraging results that will enable more effective treatment regimens to be planned in the future.

A pneumonia adquirida na comunidade mantém-se como a doença infecciosa aguda de maior impacto médico-social quanto à morbidade e a custos relacionados ao tratamento. Os grupos etários mais suscetíveis de complicações graves situam-se entre os extremos de idade, fato que tem justificado a adoção de medidas de prevenção dirigidas a esses estratos populacionais. Apesar do avanço no conhecimento no campo da etiologia e da fisiopatologia, assim como no aperfeiçoamento dos métodos propedêuticos e terapêuticos, inúmeros pontos merecem ainda investigação adicional. Isto se deve à diversidade clínica, social, demográfica e estrutural, que são tópicos que não podem ser previstos em sua totalidade. Dessa forma, a publicação de diretrizes visa agrupar de maneira sistematizada o conhecimento atualizado e propor sua aplicação racional na prática médica. Não se trata, portanto, de uma regra rígida a ser seguida, mas, antes, de uma ferramenta para ser utilizada de forma crítica, tendo em vista a variabilidade da resposta biológica e do ser humano, no seu contexto individual e social. Esta diretriz constitui o resultado de uma discussão ampla entre os membros do Conselho Científico e da Comissão de Infecções Respiratórias da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia. O grupo de trabalho propôs-se a apresentar tópicos considerados relevantes, visando a uma atualização da diretriz anterior. Evitou-se, tanto quanto possível, uma repetição dos conceitos considerados consensuais. O objetivo principal do documento é a apresentação organizada dos avanços proporcionados pela literatura recente e, desta forma, contribuir para a melhora da assistência ao paciente adulto imunocompetente portador de pneumonia adquirida na comunidade.

Community-acquired pneumonia continues to be the acute infectious disease that has the greatest medical and social impact regarding morbidity and treatment costs. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to severe complications, thereby justifying the fact that the prevention measures adopted have focused on these age brackets. Despite the advances in the knowledge of etiology and physiopathology, as well as the improvement in preliminary clinical and therapeutic methods, various questions merit further investigation. This is due to the clinical, social, demographical and structural diversity, which cannot be fully predicted. Consequently, guidelines are published in order to compile the most recent knowledge in a systematic way and to promote the rational use of that knowledge in medical practice. Therefore, guidelines are not a rigid set of rules that must be followed, but first and foremost a tool to be used in a critical way, bearing in mind the variability of biological and human responses within their individual and social contexts. This document represents the conclusion of a detailed discussion among the members of the Scientific Board and Respiratory Infection Committee of the Brazilian Thoracic Association. The objective of the work group was to present relevant topics in order to update the previous guidelines. We attempted to avoid the repetition of consensual concepts. The principal objective of creating this document was to present a compilation of the recent advances published in the literature and, consequently, to contribute to improving the quality of the medical care provided to immunocompetent adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

OBJETIVO: Estimar as prevalências de TB latente e TB ativa entre custodiados de um hospital penal na Bahia. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados através de estudo de corte transversal com coleta prospectiva de dados 237 internos no Hospital Penal da Bahia entre julho de 2003 e abril de 2004. Um questionário padronizado foi preenchido por estudantes de medicina. Os indivíduos foram sistematicamente submetidos aos seguintes exames: teste tuberculínico, radiografia de tórax em incidência póstero-anterior, baciloscopia e cultura para micobactérias. Os eventos de interesse foram TB ativa e TB latente. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 36,6 anos, sendo 89,9% homens. Tabagismo e alcoolismo foram relatados por 70.0% e 43.9% dos internos, respectivamente. História de tratamento para TB foi relatada por 11,3% dos indivíduos. Dos internos avaliados, 36,3% relataram tosse e 31,4%, expectoração. Outros sintomas menos frequentemente referidos foram astenia (26,2%), perda de peso (23,1%), inapetência (17,7%), febre (11,3%) e hemoptise (6,7%). Nenhum dos 86 internos testados apresentou sorologia anti-HIV positiva. Entre os 156 submetidos ao teste tuberculínico, a prevalência de TB latente foi de 61,5% (146 casos). Do total, 6 casos de TB ativa foram detectados (prevalência de 2,5%). A presença de tosse foi um determinante de TB ativa (razão de prevalência = 8,8; IC95%: 1,04-73,9; p = 0,025). CONCLUSÕES: A população de internos do Hospital Penal da Bahia tem altas prevalências de TB latente e ativa. Estes achados justificam a necessidade de implantação de políticas públicas especificamente direcionadas para o controle da TB nesta população

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of latent and active TB among detainees in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with prospective data collection was carried out comprising 237 inmates in the Bahia State Prison Hospital between July 2003 and April 2004. A standardized questionnaire was applied and completed by medical students. The detainees were systematically submitted to the following tests: tuberculin skin test, chest X-ray (anteroposterior), sputum smear microscopy and culture for mycobacteria. The events of interest were active TB and latent TB. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 36.6 years, and 89.9% were male. Smoking and alcohol consumption were reported by 70.0% and 43.9% of the inmates, respectively. A history of treatment for TB was reported by 11.3% of the inmates. Of the inmates evaluated, 36.3% reported cough and 31.4% reported expectoration. Other less common symptoms were asthenia (in 26.2%), weight loss (in 23.1%), loss of appetite (in 17.7%), fever (in 11.3%) and hemoptysis (in 6.7%). Of the 86 inmates tested, none presented positive HIV serology. The prevalence of latent TB was 61.5% (96 of the 156 inmates submitted to tuberculin skin tests), whereas that of active TB was 2.5% (6 of the 237 inmates evaluated). The presence of cough was a determinant of active TB (prevalence ratio = 8.8; 95% CI: 1.04-73.9; p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Active and latent TB are highly prevalent among inmates hospitalized in the Bahia State Prison Hospital. Our findings justify the need to implement public policies specifically directed towards the control of TB in this population.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de aspergilose broncopulmonar alérgica (ABPA) em pacientes com fibrose cística acompanhados em um centro de referência da Bahia. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, com coleta prospectiva de dados, realizado no Centro de Referência de Fibrose Cística da Bahia do Hospital Especializado Octavio Mangabeira. Foram incluídos no estudo 74 pacientes que tinham diagnóstico de fibrose cística, com idade acima de 6 anos e tratados entre 9 de dezembro de 2003 e 7 de março de 2005. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: gênero, idade, capacidade vital forçada, volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo, resposta a prova farmacodinâmica, achados em radiografia torácica e de seios de face, presença de sibilância, culturas para Aspergillus spp., imunoglobulina E (IgE) total, IgE específica para Aspergillus fumigatus e teste cutâneo de leitura imediata para aspergilina. RESULTADOS: Dos 74 pacientes, 2 foram diagnosticados com ABPA. Níveis de IgE total > 1.000 UI/mL foram observados em 17 pacientes (23%), teste cutâneo de leitura imediata para A. fumigatus positivos em 19 (25,7%) e sibilância em 60 (81,1%). CONCLUSÕES: A taxa de prevalência de ABPA foi de 2,7%. As altas taxas de IgE total, de teste cutâneo imediato para A. fumigatus positivos e de sibilância sugerem que estes pacientes devam ser acompanhados cuidadosamente por haver a possibilidade do desenvolvimento de ABPA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in patients with cystic fibrosis treated at a referral center in the state of Bahia, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, with prospective data collection, carried out at the Cystic Fibrosis Referral Center of Bahia of the Octavio Mangabeira Specialized Hospital. We evaluated 74 patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, older than six years of age, treated between December 9, 2003 and March 7, 2005. We analyzed the following variables: gender, age, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, pharmacodynamic response, chest X-ray findings, facial sinus X-ray findings, wheezing, cultures for Aspergillus spp., total immunoglobulin E (IgE), specific IgE for Aspergillus fumigatus and immediate skin test reactivity to A.fumigatus antigen. RESULTS: Of the 74 patients, 2 were diagnosed with ABPA. We found total IgE levels > 1,000 IU/mL in 17 (23%), positive immediate skin reactivity to A. fumigatus antigen in 19 (25.7%) and wheezing in 60 (81.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ABPA was 2.7%. The high levels of total IgE, high incidence of wheezing and high rate of immediate skin test reactivity to A. fumigatus antigen suggest that these patients should be carefully monitored due to their propensity to develop ABPA.

Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance, particularly multiresistance, is a crucial issue in the control of tuberculosis (TB). This study estimated the prevalence of primary and acquired anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from hospitalized patients, to identify the risk factors for resistance, and to evaluate the its impact on hospital mortality for tuberculosis. Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from 217 patients hospitalized for TB were analyzed. Subjects were recruited sequentially at a TB reference hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil from July 2001 to July 2003. Multiresistant (MR) strains were defined as strains resistant to rifampicin and isoniazid. Of a total of 217 strains isolated, 41 (19.0%, 95%CI: 14.1-24.5%) were resistant to at least one drug. Prevalence of primary resistance was 7.0% (10/145), while a prevalence of 43.1% (31/72) was found for acquired resistance. Primary resistance to one drug alone was found in 2.1% (3/145) and acquired monoresistance in 5.6% (4/72). Prevalence of MR strains in general was 14.3% (31/217), of which 4.2% (6/145) consisted of primary MR and 34.7% (25/72) of acquired MR. Three strains showed resistance to more than one drug, but were not classified as MR. In the multivariate analysis, abandoning treatment remained strongly associated with resistance (adjusted OR: 7.21; 95%CI: 3.27-15.90; p<0.001) following adjustment for 3 potential confounders (gender, alcohol dependence and HIV-infection). An association was found between resistance and mortality from tuberculosis, even after adjustment for HIV status, age, sex and alcohol dependence (adjusted OR: 7.13; 95%CI: 2.25-22.57; p<0.001). High prevalences of resistance, principally acquired resistance including MR, were found in patients hospitalized for TB in Bahia. This finding was strongly associated with having abandoned treatment, and confirmed the need to standardize the procedure for requesting sensitivity tests in this population at the time of hospital admission.

HIV infection is an important risk factor for the development of tuberculosis (TB), and also affects its morbidity and mortality. This study estimated the prevalence of HIV infection in patients hospitalized for TB in Bahia (in northeastern Brazil) and to evaluate its impact on in-hospital mortality. A total of 375 patients with TB, admitted consecutively to a TB reference hospital in Salvador (Bahia, Brazil), were evaluated between July 2001 and July 2003. Anti-HIV serology was performed in all patients irrespective of clinical and/or epidemiological data suggestive of HIV infection. Death during hospitalization was the principal event-dependent variable. Mean age of patients was 41.4 ± 16.2 years and the male/female ratio was 3.4:1.0. The prevalence of HIV infection was 8.8% (95%CI: 6.2-12.0%). Patients in the HIV-positive group were younger than those in the HIV-negative group (37.1 versus 41.9 years; p=0.05). In-hospital mortality was 10.9% for the whole group (95%CI: 9.4-15.9%), but was significantly greater in the HIV-positive group compared to the HIV-negative group (27.3% versus 9.4%; RR=2.9; 95%CI: 1.5-5.6; p=0.002). The prevalence of HIV infection in patients hospitalized for TB in Bahia (northeastern Brazil) is relatively high (8.8%) and mortality is significantly higher (2.9-fold) in the HIV-positive group. These findings justify carrying out HIV testing, as recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, in all TB patients, particularly those requiring hospitalization.

The authors present a case from a 59 years old white female Brazilian patient, based in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil's northeastern side area, who experienced irritative cough and progressive dyspnea, and, after 18 months, was admitted to a hospital with respiratory insufficiency. The physical exam showed diffuse rales in both hemithoraces. Initial leukogram showed 14,400 cells/mL with 14% of eosinophils and chest X-ray showed peribronchovascular infiltrate, predominating in the lower half of the lung fields, and small opaque nodules. The high-resolution computed tomography scan of the chest (HRCT) presented compatible pattern with airways disease, especially from the small airways, with air trapping, tree sprouting images, central lobular nodules and bronchiectasis, making the results compatible with bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis. The transbroncho biopsy unveiled granulomatous lesion with necrosis, where was noticed a structure compatible to a parasitic case, and the research of the parasite eggs in the sputum was positive to paragonimus. After the praziquantel use, the patient presented a thick ferruginous expectoration and the result for BAAR examination was positive. The PCR exam and the sputum culture confirmed M. tuberculosis, and then the treatment for M. tuberculosis was initiated. The authors warn that this infection may have been a consequence of economics globalization process, where the importation of parasitized crustaceans might be the cause. However, there is the need of an accurate examination for the possibility of paragonimus specimens in this area of Brazil.

INTRODUÇÃO: A tuberculose pulmonar é uma doença infectocontagiosa de elevadas incidência e prevalência. O diagnóstico é feito de maneira rápida e segura através da baciloscopia do escarro. Entretanto, dos portadores de tuberculose pulmonar, 30% a 50% têm baciloscopia do escarro negativa ou não têm escarro, o que faz com que a fibrobroncoscopia adquira especial importância nesses casos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a sensibilidade de espécimes colhidos, através da fibrobroncoscopia (lavado broncoalveolar e biópsia transbrônquica), para o diagnóstico de pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose pulmonar, sem confirmação diagnóstica através da baciloscopia do escarro. MÉTODO: Através da revisão dos livros de registro das fibrobroncoscopias realizadas no Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos e no Hospital São Rafael, entre março de 1997 e março de 2001, foram identificados e incluídos no estudo os pacientes maiores de 18 anos, e encaminhados devido a suspeita de tuberculose com, no mínimo, três baciloscopias do escarro negativas. Foram coletados dados referentes a idade, sexo, alteração radiológica e alterações encontradas durante o exame endoscópico. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 52 pacientes, com idade variando de 19 a 77 anos (mediana de 39), sendo 58% do sexo masculino e 37% atendidos pelo SUS. A apresentação radiológica predominante foi o infiltrado alveolar (80%). Tuberculose foi o diagnóstico final em 35 pacientes (1 com neoplasia associada), e a broncoscopia foi diagnóstica em 28 pacientes (80%). Outros diagnósticos obtidos pela broncoscopia foram: neoplasia, histoplasmose, alveolite crônica eosinofilica, pneumonia por Pneumocystis carinii e fibrose pulmonar. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados deste estudo indicam a realização da fibrobroncoscopia em pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose não confirmada através da baciloscopia do escarro para determinação diagnóstica, não só desta doença, como de todas as que representam diagnósticos diferenciais.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis is an infectious disease of high prevalence and incidence. The use of sputum bacilloscopy is a sure and speedy way of reaching a diagnosis. However as 30% to 50% of the bearers of pulmonary tuberculosis have a negative sputum smear or have no sputum the fiber bronchoscopy acquires a special importance. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the sensitivity of the specimens collected by means of the fiber bronchoscopy (brochoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy) for the diagnosis of patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis, without confirmation by sputum bacilloscopy. METHOD: By review of the ledgers of fiber bronchoscopies carried out from March 1997 to March 2001, we identified and included in the study patients over 18 years of age and referred with suspicion of tuberculosis and at least three negative sputum smears. Data regarding age, gender, changes detected at thorax imaging and endoscopy were collected. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients with ages ranging from 19 to 77 years (median of 39), were included, 58% were of the male gender and 37% were patients from the Official Health System. Prevailing finding at chest X-ray was the alveolar infiltrate (80%). In 35 patients tuberculosis was the final diagnosis (one with associated neoplasia); in 28 patients (80%) diagnosis was achieved by bronchoscopy. Other diagnoses disclosed by bronchoscopy were neoplasias, histoplasmosis chronic eosinophil alvelolitis, pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii and pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSION: results of this study point to the use of fiber bronchoscopy in patients suspect of tuberculosis, not diagnosed thorough sputum bacilloscopy, not only for pulmonary tuberculosis but also of those that represent differential diagnoses.

O acometimento do sistema nervoso central pela tuberculose pode se manifestar de duas formas principais: tuberculose meníngea ou tuberculoma. Esta forma é uma condição que vinha decrescendo progressivamente, mas que encontrou nos dias atuais condições ideais para o seu desenvolvimento. O presente estudo discorre sobre três pacientes que desenvolveram expansão paradoxal de lesões de tuberculose cerebral durante o uso de tuberculostáticos, o que demonstra ser importante o acompanhamento tomográfico de pacientes que apresentem sinais neurológicos no curso do tratamento para a tuberculose. Os dois primeiros pacientes apresentaram o acometimento neurológico associado a tuberculose pulmonar, enquanto no terceiro havia história de tuberculose meníngea prévia. A tomografia computadorizada foi o exame utilizado para o acompanhamento desses pacientes. O tratamento constou do uso de tuberculostáticos e corticóide.

Central nervous system involvement by tuberculosis presents two main types: tuberculosus meningitis or tuberculoma. This second condition has nowadays ideal conditions for development. We report three patients who developed paradoxical brain tuberculosis expansive lesion during the use of tuberculostatic drugs. The cases point out the importance of tomography follow up of patients who present neurological signs in the course of treatment for tuberculosis. The first two patients presented onset of the a neurological symptoms, associated with lung tuberculosis. The third patient previously had tuberculous meninigitis. Computerized tomography was used to follow up these patients. Tuberculostatic and corticoid drugs were used for treatment.