Tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genitalia — a diagnostic challenge for the family practitioner
Tuberculosis (TB) of the urinary tract and male genital system can be very difficult to diagnose unless a high index of suspicion is maintained. The most common presenting features of urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB) are lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), haematuria, recurrent urinary tract infectio...
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AOSIS
2009-10-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1308 |
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| author | Amir D. Zarrabi Chris F. Heyns |
| author_facet | Amir D. Zarrabi Chris F. Heyns |
| author_sort | Amir D. Zarrabi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Tuberculosis (TB) of the urinary tract and male genital system can be very difficult to diagnose unless a high index of suspicion is maintained. The most common presenting features of urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB) are lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), haematuria, recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) by Gram-negative organisms, flank pain, and scrotal swelling. The classically described sterile pyuria should arouse suspicion of UGTB, but in about a third of patients a Gram-negative organism is cultured from the urine, so recurrent bacterial UTI should always be further investigated. Intravenous pyelography (IVP) remains the best imaging study available to screen for UGTB, but ultrasound and computerised tomography (CT) imaging can also be useful. The diagnosis of UGTB is most often confirmed with urine culture: at least 3–5 early morning urine specimens must be submitted and the results may take 4–6 weeks. Histological diagnosis on bladder or testicular biopsies can be made if granulomatous inflammation and Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) positive organisms are seen. HIV-positive individuals are at greater risk of acquiring TB, and patients with confirmed or suspected UGTB should always be tested for HIV infection. Medical treatment of UGTB requires combination anti-TB drug therapy for at least six months. Patients should be followed up closely with monthly imaging because upper tract obstruction may develop due to fibrosis while on therapy. Surgery for UGTB can be extirpative (e.g. nephrectomy) or reconstructive (e.g. enterocystoplasty, to enlarge a fibrotic bladder). The outcome of UGTB is good if the diagnosis is made early, but delayed diagnosis may lead to loss of renal function. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dd37fa2e9334442f8ebb34bd4709e59f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2009-10-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-dd37fa2e9334442f8ebb34bd4709e59f2025-08-20T04:03:17ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042009-10-0151510.1080/20786204.2009.108738881104Tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genitalia — a diagnostic challenge for the family practitionerAmir D. Zarrabi0Chris F. Heyns1Stellenbosch UniversityStellenbosch UniversityTuberculosis (TB) of the urinary tract and male genital system can be very difficult to diagnose unless a high index of suspicion is maintained. The most common presenting features of urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB) are lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), haematuria, recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) by Gram-negative organisms, flank pain, and scrotal swelling. The classically described sterile pyuria should arouse suspicion of UGTB, but in about a third of patients a Gram-negative organism is cultured from the urine, so recurrent bacterial UTI should always be further investigated. Intravenous pyelography (IVP) remains the best imaging study available to screen for UGTB, but ultrasound and computerised tomography (CT) imaging can also be useful. The diagnosis of UGTB is most often confirmed with urine culture: at least 3–5 early morning urine specimens must be submitted and the results may take 4–6 weeks. Histological diagnosis on bladder or testicular biopsies can be made if granulomatous inflammation and Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) positive organisms are seen. HIV-positive individuals are at greater risk of acquiring TB, and patients with confirmed or suspected UGTB should always be tested for HIV infection. Medical treatment of UGTB requires combination anti-TB drug therapy for at least six months. Patients should be followed up closely with monthly imaging because upper tract obstruction may develop due to fibrosis while on therapy. Surgery for UGTB can be extirpative (e.g. nephrectomy) or reconstructive (e.g. enterocystoplasty, to enlarge a fibrotic bladder). The outcome of UGTB is good if the diagnosis is made early, but delayed diagnosis may lead to loss of renal function.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1308tuberculosisurogenitalurinary tractmale genitaliaextrapulmonary |
| spellingShingle | Amir D. Zarrabi Chris F. Heyns Tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genitalia — a diagnostic challenge for the family practitioner South African Family Practice tuberculosis urogenital urinary tract male genitalia extrapulmonary |
| title | Tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genitalia — a diagnostic challenge for the family practitioner |
| title_full | Tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genitalia — a diagnostic challenge for the family practitioner |
| title_fullStr | Tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genitalia — a diagnostic challenge for the family practitioner |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genitalia — a diagnostic challenge for the family practitioner |
| title_short | Tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genitalia — a diagnostic challenge for the family practitioner |
| title_sort | tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genitalia a diagnostic challenge for the family practitioner |
| topic | tuberculosis urogenital urinary tract male genitalia extrapulmonary |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1308 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT amirdzarrabi tuberculosisoftheurinarytractandmalegenitaliaadiagnosticchallengeforthefamilypractitioner AT chrisfheyns tuberculosisoftheurinarytractandmalegenitaliaadiagnosticchallengeforthefamilypractitioner |