BackgroundThe mean platelet volume (MPV) reflects the size of platelets. It has been shown to be inversely correlated with level of the inflammation in some chronic inflammatory diseases. This prospective study aims to show the usability of MPV as an inflammation marker in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) by comparison with healthy controls. In addition, its relationships with other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as well as with the radiological extent of disease were examined.MethodsThis study included 82 patients with active PTB and 95 healthy subjects (control group). Whole blood counts, CRP level, and ESR were compared between the two groups. In the PTB group, the relationships between the radiological extent of disease and the MPV and other inflammation markers were investigated.ResultsThe MPV was 7.74 ± 1.33/μL in the PTB group and 8.20 ± 1.13/μL in the control group (p = 0.005). The blood platelet count, CRP level, and ESR were significantly higher in the active PTB group than in the control group (p < 0.0001). In the PTB group, CRP levels (r = 0.26, p = 0.003) and ESR (r = 0.39, p = 0.003), but not MPV (p = 0.80), were significantly correlated with the radiologic extent of the disease.ConclusionsThe MPV was lower in patients with PTB than in healthy controls, however, the difference was limited. The MPV does not reflect the severity of the disease. The use of MPV as an inflammation marker and a negative acute-phase reactant in PTB does not seem to be reliable.

Background: The mean platelet volume (MPV) reflects the size of platelets. It has been shown to be inversely correlated with level of the inflammation in some chronic inflammatory diseases. This prospective study aims to show the usability of MPV as an inflammation marker in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) by comparison with healthy controls. In addition, its relationships with other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as well as with the radiological extent of disease were examined. Methods: This study included 82 patients with active PTB and 95 healthy subjects (control group). Whole blood counts, CRP level, and ESR were compared between the two groups. In the PTB group, the relationships between the radiological extent of disease and the MPV and other inflammation markers were investigated. Results: The MPV was 7.74 ± 1.33/μL in the PTB group and 8.20 ± 1.13/μL in the control group (p = 0.005). The blood platelet count, CRP level, and ESR were significantly higher in the active PTB group than in the control group (p < 0.0001). In the PTB group, CRP levels (r = 0.26, p = 0.003) and ESR (r = 0.39, p = 0.003), but not MPV (p = 0.80), were significantly correlated with the radiologic extent of the disease. Conclusions: The MPV was lower in patients with PTB than in healthy controls, however, the difference was limited. The MPV does not reflect the severity of the disease. The use of MPV as an inflammation marker and a negative acute-phase reactant in PTB does not seem to be reliable.

Objective Patients undergoing haemodialysis for chronic renal failure-hemodialysis (CRF-HD) are at risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The effectiveness of using blood IP-10 production capacity to diagnose LTBI in CRF-HD patients was analysed. Methods The study enrolled 50 CRF-HD patients. Interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) was done using QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube (QFG-IT) system. Blood IP-10 production capacity was measured using the QFG-IT system tubes. Tuberculin skin testing (TST) was performed on the same day and the test results were compared. Results TST turned out to be positive in 36.4% of the patients and QFG-IT in 54% of them. After stimulation with specific tuberculosis antigens, blood IP-10 levels increased noticeably. The antigen-stimulated blood IP-10 level was significantly higher in patients who were either TST or QFG-IT positive than in patients whose tests were negative (p=0.0001). Using 4.02 pg/mL as the threshold for stimulated blood logtransformed IP-10 level, good agreement was observed between IP-10 and QFG-IT results (κ=1). Conclusion Blood IP-10 level, which can be measured simply, provides results equivalent to IGRAs for the diagnosis of LTBI in CRF-HD patients.

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare tumor originating from mesenchymal tissue and accounting for approximately 5–10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. A rare case of primary pulmonary SS in an asymptomatic 18-year-old man admitted to our hospital for investigation of a 6 × 6.5 cm, oval-shaped, well-delineated pleural based peripheral mass in the left lower lobe in his thorax CT is presented. Left lower lobectomy was done. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and vimentin so that the histopathological diagnosis was compatible with biphasic spindle cell type SS in the lung.

Leiomyosarcoma is a tumor of the smooth muscle cells which frequently originates in the uterus, retro-peritoneum, and within the abdomen. Although there are a large number of smooth muscle cells in the tracheobronchial tree, primary pulmonary muscle tumors rarely occur. A 48-year-old male patient with no symptoms was admitted to our department following the inadvertent detection of a lesion in his chest x-ray. Through thoracic computerized tomography, a 4x3 cm diameter mass lesion was located in the lower right lobe. In the positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) scan with a fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) tracer, low FDG uptake was observed in the lesion. Computer tomography-guided needle aspirations were carried out. In the absence of a histopathological diagnosis, surgery was planned for diagnosis and treatment. A lower lobe wedge resection was completed using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). A diagnosis of primary pulmonary leiomyosarcoma was made based on postoperative pathology results