Abstract

SILVA, Denise Rossato; GAZZANA, Marcelo Basso  and  DALCIN, Paulo de Tarso Roth. Severe tuberculosis requiring ICU admission. J. bras. pneumol. [online]. 2012, vol.38, n.3, pp. 386-394. ISSN 1806-3713.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132012000300015.

Tuberculosis is a curable disease that can evolve to severe forms, requiring the treatment of the patients in an ICU, especially if there is a delay in the diagnosis or if it affects elderly patients, those on dialysis, or those with HIV infection or other states of immunosuppression, as well as in cases of multidrug resistant disease. Knowledge of the radiological presentation of the cases can help diagnose these severe forms, as can the introduction of new tests, such as the early detection of the etiological agent by PCR and chest CT, which favors the early initiation of treatment. In addition, the use of regimens without isoniazid and rifampin, as well as uncertain enteral absorption and low serum concentrations of antituberculosis drugs, can reduce the efficacy of treatment. For such patients, the prognosis is generally poor and mortality rates are high.

Keywords : Tuberculosis; Respiratory insufficiency; Respiration, artificial; Hospitalization.