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International Orthopaedics

Published in:

01-02-2012 | Review Article

Microbiological diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis

Authors: Paloma Merino, Francisco J. Candel, Israel Gestoso, Elvira Baos, Juan Picazo

Published in: International Orthopaedics | Issue 2/2012

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to review the clinical features and diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis cases reported in the literature.

Methods

A medical literature search in the Medline Pubmed database was undertaken to review tuberculosis spinal infection and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis improvement. We introduced the following search items and boolean operators: "spinal infection", "spinal tuberculosis infection", "microbiological diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis" and "spinal tuberculosis PCR." Single cases or series without microbiological diagnosis were rejected. Manuscript language was restricted to Spanish, French, and English versions.

Results and conclusions

Spinal tuberculosis is more common in developing countries and is probably underdiagnosed. Delayed diagnosis is characteristic; it worsens the prognosis and increases morbidity. The microbiological diagnosis is crucial for several reasons. Despite surgical treatment, medical treatment with anti-tuberculous drugs is always necessary. A total of 20–40% of the spinal tuberculosis patients show another locus of infection. Pulmonary location can become a public health problem. Previously treated patients for other tuberculosis locations, incomplete treatments, or poor adherence can change the M. tuberculosis sensitivity pattern. Drug resistance test becomes a major need in the microbiology laboratory. PCR diagnostic techniques advance the diagnosis and increase the sensitivity and specificity rate.

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Title: Microbiological diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis
Authors: Paloma Merino
Francisco J. Candel
Israel Gestoso
Elvira Baos
Juan Picazo
Publication date: 01-02-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Orthopaedics / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-011-1461-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Microbiological diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results and conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results and conclusions

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