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Although tuberculosis (TB) ranks among the most frequent infectious diseases worldwide, one of its extrapulmonary (EP) manifestations, genitourinary (GU) TB, is often underestimated by urologists, particularly in areas such as Europe where TB is not endemic. The aim of this review is to give urologists a concise overview of GUTB as a supplement to the more comprehensive European Association of Urology 2023 update on urological infections guidelines. EPTB can develop in 16% of TB cases. GUTB accounts for 4.6% of EPTB and is often asymptomatic or nonspecific, so it can be confused with other urogenital diseases. GUTB can be highly destructive, leading to failure of urogenital organs. Diagnosis is via microbiological, molecular, and histological testing for urine, genital secretions, or genitourinary tissue, supported by imaging. A 6-mo combinational medical regimen is the first-line treatment for GUTB. However, surgical interventions are also frequently required for the treatment of GUTB complications. Therefore, it is important to keep GUTB in mind for differential diagnosis. PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed scientific studies on the occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis in the genitourinary tract. Our aim is to raise awareness among urologists from countries where this disease does not occur frequently, as urogenital tuberculosis can occur without any symptoms or with unspecific symptoms that can be confused with other diseases., (Copyright © 2023 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Despite the modest positive trends in the epidemic situation for tuberculosis, the incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is not consistent. The relevance of urogenital tuberculosis remains high, as well as its social significance. Tuberculosis of the kidneys and urinary tract is often diagnosed late, when drug therapy is not enough and surgical treatment is required. A total of 78 national and foreign publications dedicated to surgical treatment of patients with urogenital tuberculosis were analyzed. Various surgical techniques for renal and bladder tuberculosis are described with a comparison of their advantages and disadvantages. Tuberculosis of the urinary system, like any infectious disease, can and must be cured with drug therapy. Unfortunately, there are complicating subjective (low alertness of doctors regarding tuberculosis, low adherence to national and international guidelines) and objective (absence of pathognomonic symptoms of urogenital tuberculosis, which results in late diagnosis, increased drug resistance of the pathogen, high comorbidity) factors. The advancements in surgical techniques and modern drugs for neoadjuvant therapy give patients the opportunity to receive minimally invasive treatment that saves not only life, but also provides them acceptable quality of life.

Tuberculosis in children involves many organs and systems including lymphatics, lungs, CNS, GIT and genitourinary. Although the mainstay of treatment is medical, surgery has a definite role under specific circumstances. It is important to differentiate atypical mycobacterial infection wherein surgery is the primary modality of treatment. The lung is most commonly involved in tuberculosis and besides bronchoscopy, thoracic procedures range from tube thoracostomy to decortication and lung resection. Neurotuberculosis constitutes almost half the cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the commonest type of CNS involvement. Hydrocephalus is a late complication of TBM and shunt surgery is indicated when signs and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure persist despite adequate medical therapy. Abdominal tuberculosis could be peritoneal or gastrointestinal. Either form can complicate the other and each can present in acute, subacute or chronic form. Surgical therapy is reserved for complications like strictures, fistulae and GI bleed. Genitourinary tuberculosis constitutes 15-20% of all extrapulmonary disease and epididymitis is the most common manifestation in the males. Surgery is generally reserved for management of complications such as ureteral strictures, perinephric abscesses and nonfunctioning kidneys.

Aim: To review from a tropical perspective the presentation and management of tuberculosis and how it is affected by coexistent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection., Methods: A 20-year literature review using Medline (National Library of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA) searches of the terms tuberculosis, HIV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by site, body system and geographical region was undertaken., Results: The dual epidemic of HIV and tuberculosis now afflicts well over 4 million people. In subSaharan Africa 20-50 per cent of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 60-90 per cent of those with extrapulmonary tuberculosis are HIV positive. Tuberculosis presents both with generalized systemic symptoms, and with symptoms and signs according to the site of involvement. Specific sites reviewed include lymph nodes, abdomen, bones and joints, pleural and pericardial spaces, and genitourinary system., Conclusion: All surgeons need to be aware of the manifestations of tuberculosis at different sites and the effects of HIV infection. HIV-positive patients are more likely to present with systemic illness and multiple sites of involvement, and to respond poorly to major surgery. Surgical management is generally limited to making a diagnosis or treating life-threatening complications.