Tuberculosis with multiple localizations - medico-social and clinical-instrumental aspects.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) with multiple localizations (TBML) is life-threatening, especially when diagnosis and treatment are delayed. The diagnosis of TBLM is difficult, because of variable symptoms and signs, evolving under the “masks” of other diseases, and diagnostic methods have limited significance, particularly among immunocompromised individuals.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the medico-social aspects, demographic and clinical-instrumental characteristics in patients with TBML.
Material and methods. A descriptive observational study that included 120 patients with TBLM hospitalized in IMSP Institute of Pneumology “Chiril Draganiuc” during the years 2022-2024 was conducted.
Results. TBML predominantly affected men of working age from rural areas. Various medico-social factors were involved in development of TBML. New cases predominated, with bilateral extensive pulmonary involvement, polymorphic lesions, multiple destructive elements, with a subacute, slowly progressive onset. Simultaneously with pulmonary TB, the involvement of one organ with the following extrapulmonary localization predominated: intestine, urinary tract, larynx and lymph nodes. Diagnosis of TBML was based on complex evaluation and predominant clinical examinations in association with molecular genetic tests.
Conclusions. A number of medical and social factors were associated with TBML. Most of the cases of TBML were identified by examination of symptomatic persons with bilateral extensive lung involvement, polymorphic lesions and multiple destructive elements. The complexity approach, clinical, instrumental and laboratory examinations confirmed diagnosis of TBML.