[Systemic granulomatosis of infectious origin]
M Gousseff1, F Mechaï, M Lecuit
1Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, université René-Descartes-Paris-5, hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, centre d'infectiologie Necker-Pasteur, 149 rue de Sèvres, Paris cedex 15, France.
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|December 7, 2007
Summary
Diagnosing infectious granuloma can be challenging, but new molecular tools enhance accuracy. These advancements aid in identifying causative microorganisms and potential idiopathic granulomatous diseases.
Area of Science:
- Histopathology and microbiology of granulomatous diseases.
- Immunology of macrophage and lymphocyte recruitment in granuloma formation.
Context:
- Granulomas are hallmarks of various infections, including mycobacteria, fungi, and viruses.
- Immunosuppressive therapies, like tumor necrosis factor antagonists, increase risk of infectious granulomatous complications.
- Screening patients with granuloma for infections is crucial before initiating immunosuppression.
Purpose:
- To review the general diagnostic process for granulomatous diseases.
- To highlight the role of various microorganisms in granuloma formation.
- To emphasize the importance of screening for underlying infections.
Summary:
- Infectious granulomas pose diagnostic challenges, especially without clear clinical or epidemiological indicators.
- Classical microbiological and histological techniques are complemented by new molecular diagnostic tools.
- These molecular tools offer improved specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing infectious granuloma.
Impact:
- Increased use of molecular tools is expected to improve infectious granuloma diagnosis.
- New diagnostic methods may reveal novel infectious causes of granulomatous diseases previously deemed idiopathic.
- This review focuses on key microorganisms and emerging diagnostic technologies for granuloma.
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