Urogenital tuberculosis - epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical features

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Urology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading global cause of infectious disease mortality.
• Urogenital tuberculosis (UG-TB) is a significant subset of extrapulmonary TB, frequently underdiagnosed.
• Delayed diagnosis of UG-TB leads to irreversible organ damage, including chronic renal failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and clinical manifestations of urogenital tuberculosis.
• To emphasize the importance of early detection and appropriate management strategies for UG-TB.
• To discuss current challenges and potential improvements in UG-TB care.

Main Methods:

• Diagnosis relies on culturing Mycobacterium tuberculosis or DNA identification.
• Imaging modalities assist in disease localization, extent assessment, and treatment planning.
• Clinical awareness and prompt diagnostic evaluation are critical.

Main Results:

• UG-TB presents with non-specific symptoms, including urinary tract inflammation, abdominal pain, and renal function abnormalities.
• Advanced disease can cause significant renal and urinary tract damage, such as scarring, obstruction, and failure.
• Treatment involves standard or prolonged drug regimens depending on drug sensitivity, with surgery as an adjunct when necessary.

Conclusions:

• Raising clinical awareness and improving diagnostic test sensitivity are essential for early UG-TB detection.
• Prompt and accurate diagnosis is vital to prevent severe complications and improve patient outcomes.
• Multidisciplinary management, including medical and potentially surgical interventions, is key for effective UG-TB treatment.