The Disease Renal Tuberculosis: Diagnosis And Treatment

The disease renal tuberculosis is a chronic condition. In general, it is the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that causes it. It can damage both kidneys, cause kidney failure and even death.

It often starts in the lungs and occurs in many patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis reaches the kidneys through the blood, direct contact and the lymphatic system . Renal tuberculosis is actually the second most common form of this disease, after pulmonary tuberculosis.

The first parts that are affected by tuberculosis are the kidneys, epididymis and prostate. However, it can affect the genitals as well.

Symptoms of the disease renal tuberculosis

Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Pain in the kidneys
• Frequent and painful urination

• Blood in the urine

Most patients have a positive reaction to tuberculin. In addition, they also test positive for the tubercle bacterium in the urine. It is also common for men to have it attached to the epididymis. It is not as common, but it is also associated with prostatitis.

Diagnosis

Specialists must look under a microscope to diagnose the disease renal tuberculosis. They have to take a sample and isolate it to test it.

Microbial diagnosis

The diagnosis takes place in three steps:

• Demonstration of acid- and alcohol-resistant bacilli
• Isolation of the bacterium

• Sometimes specialists have to test to see if it is sensitive to medication for tuberculosis

In addition, these bacteria need special staining techniques to be identified. This is because they have many lipids in the cell walls. Also, they grow slowly. Therefore, specialists must test the funds for 8 weeks.

Coloring the means and looking at them under a microscope is the easiest and fastest procedure. In fact, this is usually the first diagnosis.

To grow and identify tubercle bacilli

There are different types of agents: solids, radiometric fluids, non-radiometric fluids, and biphasic fluids. Today, they are the most sensitive and fastest solids and liquids.

The most effective techniques are lysis and radiometric techniques. In fact, specialists use it in severe cases of HIV and fever for unknown reasons.

New diagnostic techniques: Gene amplification of DNA or RNA

These techniques make it very quick to diagnose something. They make millions of copies of certain parts of the cells.

In vitro sensitivity studies

In addition, there are different methods for in vitro studies.

Pathological diagnosis

The pathological diagnosis consists of looking at the samples under a microscope. Specialists obtain these samples by performing a biopsy.

Treatment of renal tuberculosis

To treat this you need to make sure that it is not resistant to certain medications. If you do not follow your treatment or do not stick to it fully, it will make it easier for your body to build up resistance.

In addition , you must follow the treatment for a while to prevent it from coming back. The best way to monitor the response to treatment is by testing the bacteria.

There are actually two groups of medications to treat the disease renal tuberculosis. These groups are based on how well they work and their side effects:

• First choice for treatment of initial cases
  • Bactericides: isoniazid, rifampicin
  • Bacteriostatic: etambutol
• Second-line drugs: these are less active and they have more side effects. Doctors prescribe them for resistant forms or in special cases. However, some are difficult to obtain, and only trained professionals should use them. Some of these substances are for example:
  • Kanamycin
  • Amikacin

Side effects of treatment of renal tuberculosis

The most common side effect is liver damage (hepatotoxicity). This can actually happen with the use of isoniazid and rifampicin.

The mild side effects are common. If you get them, you do not need to stop taking the medicine. On the other hand, serious side effects may mean that you have to stop taking the medicine or change the treatment. However, it only occurs in 3-5% of patients with short treatments.

Experts still do not know much about renal tuberculosis. The reason for the differences between patients in developed and developing countries is still not clear. Researchers still need a more in-depth study of the condition.