Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
A team of scientists has discovered that a 'known' TB gene plays an unexpected biological role, transforming glutamate into GABA at a rapid rate. This finding expands our understanding of microbial metabolism and opens new avenues for targeting metabolic pathways in several pathogenic organisms.
A new study found TB preventive treatment to be effective in six countries with high TB and HIV rates, demonstrating program data showing scale-up impact. The study supports the critical role of TB preventive treatment in HIV care programs, highlighting the importance of sustained funding for global health programs.
Researchers use antibiotics to clarify RNAP function, discovering that the enzyme works only if a certain moving part briefly swings into place to stabilize RNA synthesis. The findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism of RNA synthesis shared across diverse forms of life.
Men are more likely to be infected with TB due to increased exposure to the bacteria over their lifetime. Despite this, they were not significantly more likely to develop active TB disease compared to women.
Researchers found that dexamethasone reduces infection-driven macrophage metabolic activity and lowers inflammatory signals, preserving the immune system's ability to control the infection. This study suggests a new approach for managing nontuberculous mycobacterial disease.
A new study found that a simple blood test can accurately identify tuberculosis (TB) among patients, which could help save millions of lives and reduce transmission. The test measures a specific marker called ESAT-6 produced by the TB bacteria.
A pilot clinical trial assessed ibuprofen's safety and efficacy as an adjunct to standard TB treatment in patients with pre-XDR-TB and XDR-TB. Participants showed a reduced inflammatory response, indicating potential benefits for host-directed therapies.
A team of researchers has developed a new method for finding effective tuberculosis drugs by leveraging the PAC-MAN technique and artificial intelligence. The approach uses machine learning models to predict which chemical compounds can penetrate the outer membrane of the bacteria, paving the way for more efficient drug discovery.
A new study found that BCG vaccines can modify Alzheimer's biomarkers in non-Alzheimer's participants, suggesting a potential biological explanation for the observed link between BCG vaccination and lower disease risk. The vaccine also promoted increased immune responses in healthy participants without Alzheimer's pathology.
A University of Minnesota Medical School research team led by Dr. Monica Campo is studying early immune responses in lung cells and their impact on tuberculosis infection outcomes.
Researchers discovered that a common rifampicin-resistance mutation in tuberculosis creates subtle metabolic weaknesses, which could be exploited with future combination therapies. The most common mutation slows bacterial RNA polymerase, creating vulnerabilities that other therapies may target.
Researchers propose a novel compound to inhibit cytochrome P450 function and suppress drug metabolism in tuberculosis treatment, reducing bacterial mutation and resistance. The compound targets enzymes released by the bacterium rather than the bacterium itself.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin found that cells with latent TB remain metabolically flexible, allowing strong antibacterial responses. In contrast, cells from people with active TB disease show impaired metabolism and weaker responses to infection.
A major new study has found that severe asthma patients are often battling other health conditions, with nearly all suffering from at least one major issue. The study identified three distinct profiles linked to how well asthma is controlled and the treatments needed, offering potential breakthroughs for improving care.
A new study quantifies the economic burden of tuberculosis, revealing that it costs the world an estimated $1.35 trillion annually. The disease disproportionately affects economically productive years, trapping families in poverty and impacting workforce participation and national development.
Research suggests that aging immune systems compromise the body's ability to control Mycobacterium tuberculosis during treatment with rifampicin and isoniazid. The study identified age-associated immune abnormalities linked to impaired bacterial clearance, including chronic inflammatory signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction.
A clinical trial found that adding molecular tests on urine and stool samples did not speed up treatment initiation or reduce mortality in hospitalized patients with HIV. The study showed no significant difference in treatment initiation within 72 hours between the expanded screening group and the standard group.
A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases explores a new host-response assay to detect active tuberculosis and predict future disease. The Cepheid Xpert MTB Host Response test shows good accuracy for detecting active TB, but its ability to predict future disease is moderate.
Researchers found that providing food baskets to households affected by TB can prevent 10,470 years of poor health or early death for every 10,000 patients. The intervention is estimated to be cost-effective, costing $141 per health gain, and could avert approximately 120,000 TB deaths per year nationwide.
A new portable device can deliver accurate test results for tuberculosis (TB) in less than half an hour, matching lab accuracy. The MiniDock MTB uses similar technology to COVID-19 tests and detects DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment
A new ultrasensitive test reveals evidence of previously undetected tuberculosis in Boston Hospital patients, with a striking link to life-threatening sickle cell disease complications. The study found that most TB DNA-positive patients were age 50 or older and tested negative on standard TB infection tests.
Two new TB vaccines, VPM1002 and Immuvac, demonstrate safety and effectiveness in preventing progression to active TB in latent infection, particularly in children. However, they do not offer general protection against all forms of TB or prevent weight-related mortality.
Inuit communities in Nunavik, Quebec, are facing a devastating tuberculosis epidemic, with rates 1000 times higher than non-Inuit populations. The study's findings highlight the need for increased healthcare resourcing and community-led initiatives to address this crisis.
The Johns Hopkins team developed a therapeutic intranasal DNA vaccine against tuberculosis that accelerated disease clearance, improved treatment outcomes, and stimulated immune responses. The vaccine combines two genes to direct the immune system to fight drug-tolerant bacterial persisters, showing promise for treating TB.
Researchers identify DNASE1L2 intron retention as a biomarker for TB progression and reveal its role in regulating inflammation. The study shows that upregulation of DNASE1L2-IR promotes host clearance of pathogen DNA, while downregulation weakens this antibacterial defense mechanism.
A study by ISGlobal found that areas with high conflict intensity recorded a higher disease burden, including higher TB case rates and mortality. The research highlights the need for control strategies adapted to each territory, incorporating conflict-sensitive approaches into surveillance, prevention, and healthcare systems.
A study in Catalonia uses genomic sequencing to analyze TB bacterial strains, identifying the most frequent lineage and clusters of specific subtypes. The analysis provides insights into disease spread and may help identify outbreaks.
A recent study shows that a comprehensive TB screening and treatment program reduced TB incidence by 83% and prevalence of latent TB infection by 32% among Tibetan children in northern India. The program's success highlights the importance of community-led surveillance and treatment implementation to control TB transmission.
The European Region is struggling to detect and treat tuberculosis, with 1 in 5 cases going undiagnosed or unreported. Drug-resistant strains are also a major concern, with the region accounting for a disproportionate share of global cases.
Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children have mapped how tuberculosis bacteria fuel themselves during infection. They discovered the protein EtfD, which extracts energy from lipids, and developed a laboratory test to measure its activity. This breakthrough provides new insights into treating TB and may lead to shorter treatment re...
A new study warns that reduced international funding for tuberculosis services could lead to significant economic hardship for 40 million households globally, with the poorest households bearing the greatest burden. The study estimates that complete elimination of external funding for TB could cost families up to $80 billion annually.
Researchers created a cell-free system to study transcription drivers and revealed fundamental features of the transcription cycle in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The method enabled precise design of therapeutics targeting key processes, which could help combat this pathogen.
A modelling study suggests that reduced international donor funding increases the household economic burden of tuberculosis in low- and middle-income countries. The research found that decreased funding leads to a significant rise in healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Researchers introduce 'tuberculogenic environment' concept, highlighting interplay between social structures and TB risk. Current efforts overlook broader structural factors sustaining TB epidemic.
A study by São Paulo State University found that an iron-based compound eliminated lung infection in mice after 30 days of treatment. The researchers developed lipid nanoparticles to improve stability and duration of action, outperforming standard antibiotics in eliminating the bacterial load.
A team of scientists at the University of Sydney has discovered how three naturally occurring antibiotic compounds disrupt the ClpC1–ClpP1P2 complex, a vital protein degradation machine in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This finding uncovers surprising complexity and provides valuable insight into designing more effective anti-TB treatments.
A one- and three-month antibiotic treatment regimens both had few adverse reactions and high rates of completion in preventing active tuberculosis, says a new study published in PLOS Medicine. The regimens were deemed successful and neither proved superior to the other.
A new study found that tuberculosis is a major cause of deadly sepsis among people living with HIV, particularly in Africa. Early treatment of TB has been shown to significantly reduce sepsis deaths, with a 23% reduction in mortality rate.
A sweeping new study has identified tuberculosis as the predominant cause of deadly sepsis among people with HIV in Africa. Immediate treatment for TB significantly increased survival rates, especially when treatment was started before diagnosis.
A team at Texas Biomedical Research Institute found that even with effective treatments for TB and HIV, the immune system remains seriously out-of-whack following treatment. The study suggests that host-directed therapies specifically targeting the immune system could potentially restore lung immune system functionality.
Researchers developed a new method to measure how effectively antibiotics kill bacteria, crucial for treating complex infections. The 'antimicrobial single-cell testing' method predicts treatment success by observing individual bacteria under different conditions.
Researchers discovered how the Lsr2 protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) protects against foreign DNA inserted into its genome. This mechanism involves the protein forming condensates that silence specific regions of Mtb DNA, preventing harm to the bacteria.
The new clinical standards for antimicrobial stewardship in tuberculosis care aim to integrate TB into existing AMS frameworks, strengthening surveillance and resistance monitoring. The standards prioritize effectiveness, safety, and resistance prevention, promoting structured expert consultation services and targeted testing.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have created a human 'lung-on-chip' model with genetically identical cells from a single donor, simulating breathing motions and lung disease. The device, built by AlveoliX, holds promise for testing treatments for infections like tuberculosis and delivering personalized medicine.
A recent study found that high doses of rifampicin do not improve survival rates among adults with tuberculous meningitis. The researchers are now exploring alternative treatments targeting inflammation in the brain membranes and investigating TNF inhibitors as potential therapies.
Biostatisticians applied statistical method to existing routine data to understand how TB prevention protocols are functioning in real-world conditions. The results show clear progress and serious gaps in TB preventive treatment uptake among patients initiating antiretroviral therapy.
A reduced pledge by Canada to the Global Fund could lead to decreased success in controlling tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in the country. The authors of an editorial urge Canada's government to invest in improving social determinants of health and implement disease-specific suggestions to address these pressing global health issues.
A new study demonstrates a one-two punch approach to combatting drug-resistant tuberculosis by pairing rifampicin with AAP-SO2, which exploits the weaknesses of resistant bacteria. The combination effectively kills more bacteria than either drug alone, increasing potency and reducing resistance.
Sorfequiline, in combination with pretomanid and linezolid, showed greater activity against TB than the standard of care, indicating potential to shorten treatment time. The regimen had a comparable safety profile to the standard of care for people with drug-sensitive TB.
Researchers have demonstrated that doxycycline can improve survival rates and neurological outcomes in children with Central Nervous System Tuberculosis. The study found that treating CNS-TB laboratory models with doxycycline alongside standard TB drugs suppressed inflammation, preserved brain tissue, and improved vascular integrity.
Researchers have identified three distinct immunotypes in EPTB patients, revealing new insights into disease mechanisms. Additionally, gene expression-based biomarkers have been developed to reliably diagnose both pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
A new nasally-delivered vaccine has been shown to prevent severe disease and curb bacterial transmission, addressing a global need for next-generation immunisation technologies. The vaccine targets the respiratory mucosa, providing stronger protection against respiratory infections.
Researchers at MIT have identified possible antigens for a new TB vaccine, stimulating a strong immune response in T cells. The study reveals 27 TB peptides that appear most often on infected cell surfaces and elicit a T cell response in at least some samples.
A new study projects that US funding cuts will result in a catastrophic effect on pediatric TB, with children in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia experiencing a significant spike in preventable cases and deaths over the next decade. The loss of US bilateral health aid is projected to result in an additional 2.5 million pediatric T...
The American College of Chest Physicians has designated October 19, 2025, as 'Love Your Lungs Day' in recognition of respiratory health. This initiative aims to raise awareness about lung diseases such as asthma and COPD, promoting equity and supporting healthcare providers.
A new study from Trinity College Dublin finds that dexamethasone can reduce inflammation in TB patients while enhancing the function of their macrophages to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The research suggests using steroids as an adjunct therapy in conjunction with existing treatments, particularly in cases with excessive inflammation.
Researchers at Tulane University have developed an enhanced CRISPR-based tuberculosis test that works with a simple tongue swab, detecting TB in samples with very low levels of bacteria. The new test shows high sensitivity and accuracy, offering a significant step forward toward effective diagnoses via a variety of samples.
The US funding withdrawal could lead to a significant increase in tuberculosis-related deaths worldwide. According to the modelling study, this could result in approximately 2.2 million more deaths between 2025 and 2030, across high-burden TB countries.
Researchers create peptide hydrogel that controls drug release, improving treatment adherence and efficacy for conditions like tuberculosis and diabetes. The SABER platform uses reversible chemical bonds to slow down drug release, offering a promising solution for precise delivery.
Researchers have developed a novel platform to study human tuberculosis, allowing for accurate modeling of the disease's transmission. The Transmission Simulation System (TSS) mimics the airborne transmission of TB with unparalleled realism, enabling the study of vulnerabilities and strategies to interrupt transmission.