1655 - Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in a Large Healthcare System

Background: The US has seen a rise in the proportion of patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) even though the yearly incidence of new TB cases has been in decline. The purpose of this study was to analyze incidence of extrapulmonary TB at Atrium Health, a large non-profit health system in the Southeastern US.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 94 adult patients with culture confirmed extrapulmonary TB between 2008-2019. Individuals younger than 18 years were excluded from analysis.  The primary objective was to examine incidence of extrapulmonary TB and compare it to that reported in the literature. Secondary objectives included determination of sites of extrapulmonary disease and associated patient characteristics including HIV status, race, ethnicity, and birthplace.

Results: 237 patients were identified as having confirmed TB infection from 2008-2019 in a retrospective analysis within the Atrium Health System. 94 (40%) were found to have extrapulmonary disease; 42 (45%) with concomitant pulmonary disease. The patients were 55% male, 40% African American, 21% Hispanic or Latino, and 51% US-born. Median age was 44 years (range 20-62).  The most common sites of extrapulmonary TB were lymphatic (35%), pleural (24%), GI/Peritoneal (12%), CNS (10%), and Bone/Joint (10%). Lymphatic involvement was 40% cervical, 19% intrathoracic, and 16% axillary. 66% of skeletal disease was vertebral. Other sites included GU, pericardial, skin, and disseminated disease (5%). 37% were HIV positive, 18% with unknown HIV status as they were never tested. Information regarding patient’s race, ethnicity, and birthplace were unknown for 2 patients. The percentage of extrapulmonary cases were 29% in 2008, 39% in 2012, 38% in 2016, and 49% in 2019.

Conclusion: Lymphatic and pleural involvement were the most common extrapulmonary sites. Of those tested, 37% were HIV positive but there was a significant portion never tested showing a need for increased testing. The proportion of extrapulmonary TB cases since 2008 is higher at 40% compared to the 31% reported in the United States. There has been a rise in the proportion of extrapulmonary TB within our healthcare system and deserves further analysis.