title: Spinal tuberculosis in post-liver transplantation patients: case reports.
abstract: Recipients of solid organ transplantation are, because of immunosuppressive therapy, disposed to opportunistic infections including tuberculosis (TB). Spinal TB is a rare complication after transplantation but it is serious with high mortality. We report 3 cases of spinal TB in Chinese recipients of orthotopic liver transplant whose first complaint was back pain. These 3 cases were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and percutaneous biopsy. After treatment with isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, and ethambutol for >1 year, symptoms of 2 patients improved noticeably, but 1 patient died of liver failure and severe mixed pulmonary infection. Diagnosis and treatment regimens of spinal TB are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: X F
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: X J
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002681:China; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D013307:Streptomycin