A study by ISGlobal reveals significant discrepancies in global tuberculosis death estimates between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), primarily due to differences in methodology and data sources. The researchers identify a dozen countries with notable variations, emphasizin...
Scientists have discovered a key structural motif in the tuberculosis NagA enzyme, providing a promising drug target. The research aims to design specific molecules to block its function and inhibit the critical pathway, potentially leading to new TB therapeutics.
A Phase 2 study published in the NEJM found that vaccination can reduce the rate of sustained TB infections, with a 45.4% vaccine efficacy against BCG revaccination. The trial also showed promise for an investigational subunit vaccine candidate, H4:IC31, which reduced sustained infections by 30.5%.
Researchers discovered that Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses a toxin to deplete NAD+ in macrophages, leading to necrotic cell death. Adding NAD+ replenishment or mitochondrial function protectants restricted bacterial growth and increased macrophage viability. These findings suggest patient-targeted therapies to treat tuberculosis.
A randomized controlled trial found that higher daily doses of rifampin killed more TB bacteria in sputum cultures without increasing adverse effects. The study also showed that higher doses resulted in increased elimination rates of TB bacteria from sputum.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute have repurposed promising cancer chemotherapy drugs to target tuberculosis (TB), a deadly disease that kills four people every minute. The study found that these experimental drugs can reduce TB growth by 80% and also decrease inflammation and damage to the lungs.
A gene signature in the bloodstream could reveal whether someone is going to develop active tuberculosis disease months before symptoms begin. Researchers developed a new 20-gene signature that distinguishes between TB and viral infections, showing promise for early detection and treatment.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered how vitamin A supports the lung immune system in controlling tuberculosis (TB) by promoting autophagy and waste disposal. This finding has potential for developing more effective lung-targeted treatments using vitamin A to boost patient immunity.
Researchers at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found a way to increase the effectiveness of common TB antibiotics while reducing resistance. The new compound blocks the bacteria's pumping mechanism, improving drug efficacy. Tuberculosis is a major global health threat, with 490,000 cases of multi-resistant TB reported in 2016.
Active case finding is recommended for hepatitis B and C, HIV, and tuberculosis in prison settings. The approach aims to diagnose infectious diseases early and interrupt transmission. Key findings include a high burden of communicable diseases among prisoners, leading to increased risk of transmission upon release.
A virulent strain of TB has been linked to 60% of cases in younger people in Ho Chi Minh City. The Beijing lineage bacteria shows positive selection for a gene that enhances its survival and may be responsible for increased virulence.
Researchers have discovered a potential link between tuberculosis and Parkinson's disease, suggesting that drugs designed to treat Parkinson's may also work for TB. The study found that LRRK2 protein prevents immune cells from clearing bacteria, leading to build-up of protein in neurons that disrupts their function.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre discovered that having excessive T cells can cause harm and imbalance disease tolerance, leading to tissue damage. The study found that a protein called cyclophilin D acts as a key checkpoint for T cell activation, controlling the body's ability to tolerate Mtb infection.
A smartphone video-based app substitutes for in-person daily visits required for tuberculosis treatment, with patients showing similar adherence rates as traditional DOT. The app offers a more private and cost-effective option for monitoring medication intake, but further research is needed to assess its full impact.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered that a cancer drug, Marimastat, can help treat tuberculosis by improving the structural integrity of leaky blood vessels in granulomas. This allows antibiotics to penetrate and attack the disease-causing bacteria more effectively, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors improve blood vessel health at the sites of tuberculosis infection, enhancing delivery and retention of standard drugs. This synergy revitalize current TB treatment and reduce the risk of multi-drug resistant strains.
Researchers have trained rats to sniff out tuberculosis in children, detecting cases 68% more accurately than traditional smear tests. The new method has the potential to save up to 70% of untreated patients in low-income countries.
A new blood test has been developed to predict tuberculosis (TB) development in high-risk individuals, such as those living with active TB, up to two years before its onset. The 'RISK4' signature measures the expression levels of four genes associated with inflammatory responses and shows improved accuracy compared to existing tests.
A new study reveals that diarrheal diseases are becoming a major public health concern in the US, with rates increasing substantially between 1980 and 2014. Diarrheal disease deaths were ranked as the second-leading cause of all infectious disease mortality, behind lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Researchers found that tuberculosis patients with lower blood concentrations of key medications are more likely to be contagious. This discovery highlights the need for routine checks and potentially increased dosages to control the spread of the disease.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discover a molecular doorstop antibiotic that kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but not suitable for clinical use. By understanding its mechanism of action, medicinal chemists can design new antibiotics that target specific enzymes, offering hope for a more targeted treatment against the disease.
TB, a bacterial infection that infects the lungs, is a leading cause of death worldwide. The NIH calls for modernized TB research using new diagnostic and vaccine approaches to cure people infected with any strain of Mtb.
The STATIS trial found that intensive tuberculosis screening was as effective as systemic antituberculosis therapy in reducing mortality among severely immunosuppressed HIV-infected adults. The study's results suggest that both strategies can be used to improve outcomes in resource-limited settings.
A one-month antibiotic regimen was at least as safe and effective as the standard nine-month therapy for preventing active tuberculosis disease in people living with HIV. The study found that treatment adherence was significantly better for the shorter regimen, with nearly all participants completing the full course.
Scientists have developed an innovative process to detect TB bacteria using a fluorogenic trehalose analog, called DMN-trehalose. This new stain only illuminates inside living TB bacteria, making diagnosis more accurate and quick. The innovation aims to simplify the traditional smear microscopy process.
Researchers have developed a glowing molecule that can detect live tuberculosis bacteria, offering a quick and simple diagnosis method. The molecule, DMN-Tre, incorporates into the cell membranes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, allowing for accurate detection in sputum samples.
A study published in CMAJ found that older age at immigration and emigration from regions with high TB incidence increase the risk of TB in Canada. Latent TB screening and treatment are suggested as practical solutions to reduce TB incidence in these high-risk groups.
A total of 1.8 million young people between ten and 24 years old are estimated to develop tuberculosis (TB) annually, with 20-24-year-olds at the greatest risk. Young adults with TB may face disruptions in education, employment, or family responsibilities due to their illness.
A USC-developed algorithm can better locate and treat people living with undiagnosed infectious diseases, such as TB and gonorrhea. The algorithm optimizes disease spread models using behavioral, demographic, and epidemic trends to capture underlying population dynamics.
A Phase 2 clinical trial in South Africa found that revaccination with the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine significantly reduced sustained TB infections in adolescents. An experimental subunit vaccine candidate, H4:IC31, also showed promise in preventing TB infection or disease.
Researchers discovered a new badger behaviour where some males range widely across multiple territories, gaining access to more female badgers and potentially increasing disease transmission. This finding could help pinpoint areas of high risk for TB transmission, informing effective vaccination strategies.
Researchers found 17% of working African elephants in Zimbabwe ecotourism facilities tested positive for tuberculosis antibodies, linking seropositive status to time in captivity. The study highlights the importance of managing elephant health for conservation and human safety.
A new TB vaccine has shown promising results in a study of nonhuman primates, providing 41% protection and reducing overall disease by 68%. The vaccine uses a weakened form of a common Herpes virus to create high immunity against the pathogen.
A Montreal team of researchers has discovered a new approach to combat tuberculosis by reprogramming immune cells. By training stem cells in the bone marrow, macrophages can be generated to kill TB-causing bacteria. The findings offer promising results for developing an effective vaccine against TB.
A team of Canadian researchers has discovered a way to re-program innate immune cells to kill tuberculosis. The innovative work aims to make vaccines more effective against TB and other infectious diseases like the flu. By targeting stem cells in the bone marrow, scientists were able to boost the killing efficiency of macrophages.
Researchers found that banded mongooses transmit a novel tuberculosis pathogen, Mycobacterium mungi, through olfactory secretions, infecting other animals in their social group. The study provides insight into the evolution of this unique transmission route and its implications for understanding tuberculosis.
A multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in eight refugees arriving in Europe, highlighting the need for early detection and isolation. The study's findings led to the development of a rapid PCR test and an EU-wide alert system to prevent further transmission.
Dr. Jeffrey Actor has been awarded $1.7 million to investigate a novel recombinant lactoferrin for use as a preclinical research tool to alter granuloma pathology in tuberculosis. This could limit development of lung disease and slow transmission of organisms between individuals.
Research in mice and tissue cultures suggests that vitamin C enhances the killing power of first-line TB drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin. The combination reduces organ burdens faster than the drugs alone, with a potential to shorten TB chemotherapy duration.
Researchers at TUM and Harvard University discovered a substance that interferes with the formation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis' mycomembrane. Combining this beta-lactone inhibitor with known antibiotics increases effectiveness by up to 100-fold, making it a promising new therapy for TB.
Scientists have developed a noninvasive tuberculosis test that can detect active infections in HIV-negative patients using urine samples. The test, which traps sugar molecules found on the TB bacterium's outer coat, has shown increased sensitivity and accuracy compared to previous methods.
Researchers have developed a new antibiotic, EZ120, that targets the mycomembrane biosynthesis of tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. By inhibiting key enzymes, EZ120 significantly increases the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics, offering a novel approach for tuberculosis treatment.
A cheap and widely used drug lansoprazole may have useful activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The study found people taking lansoprazole were a third less likely to develop TB than those taking similar drugs.
Scientists followed 150 adolescents infected with M. tuberculosis for several years, finding elevated immune system activity 1-2 years before diagnosis and suppressed gene expression in T cells before active disease began. This study provides a clearer timeline of biological events leading to pulmonary TB development.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that routine laboratory screenings for children entering foster care carry high costs and questionable medical benefits. Targeted screening may be a more cost-effective approach, particularly for conditions such as anemia, lead poisoning, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
A phase 4 randomized clinical trial found that self-administered treatment for latent tuberculosis infection had a high rate of treatment completion in the United States, Spain, and Hong Kong. The findings suggest that once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine by self-administration is noninferior to direct observation in completing treatm...
Researchers identified two key proteins that allow mycobacterium tuberculosis to evade cell destruction, leading to potential new anti-microbial strategies. Deleting these proteins could inhibit repair mechanisms, making TB more susceptible to treatment.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed new methods for detecting tuberculosis (TB), a deadly disease that kills over a billion people in the last two centuries. The new tests use nanotechnology to detect TB proteins in patient blood samples, providing rapid and accurate results.
Researchers led by Yasu Morita at UMass Amherst have characterized a protein involved in producing a glycolipid compound critical for TB-causing Mycobacterium to become infectious. The discovery provides insight into the disease's mechanisms and potential new drug targets.
A study in rural China found that healthcare providers fail to correctly manage tuberculosis cases, with a high proportion of antibiotics prescribed unrelated to TB treatment. The researchers highlight the need for reforms and improved training to address these gaps in care.
A team of researchers from Instituto de Medicina Molecular used a pioneer method to modify proteins involved in infectious diseases. They identified a novel molecular mechanism that protects pathogenic bacteria from oxidative processes.
TBA-7371 and sutezolid have entered phase 1 clinical trials after early preclinical development. These novel drugs show promise in treating TB with no pre-existing resistance, addressing a growing concern in the disease's increasing resistance to older treatments.
Long-term follow-up confirms that isoniazid prophylaxis reduces both severe morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected individuals. The study provides evidence for the WHO recommendation of isoniazid preventive therapy in HIV-positive patients, even with early antiretroviral treatment.
A new genetic sequencing approach enables precise identification of drug-resistant TB, a major public health threat worldwide. The TGen-UCSF team used Single Molecule-Overlapping Reads technology to detect variants of TB, even in cases where older technologies found no mutations.
Sloan Siegrist, a UMass Amherst microbiologist, has received a five-year, $2.3 million NIH New Innovator Award to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) growth rates and develop new antibiotic therapies.
A new study reveals how tuberculosis bacteria evade the immune system by hiding in macrophages. Researchers have found that only well-adapted mycobacteria avoid detection, suggesting a potential target for future treatments.
According to the Global Burden of Disease study, viral hepatitis causes over 1.34 million deaths worldwide, exceeding chronic infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
A new, fast, and affordable tuberculosis test has been developed for resource-limited areas, enabling early diagnosis and treatment. The paper-based device uses gold nanoparticles and single-stranded DNA to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
A genome-wide association study identified the CD53 gene as a susceptible locus for tuberculosis. Increased CD53 expression was observed in active TB patients, supporting its biological role in disease susceptibility. This research lays the foundation for identifying individuals at high risk of developing tuberculosis.
A new case-control study found that the BCG vaccine protects over 50% of UK children against TB for at least 20 years after vaccination in early teenage years. The research highlights the importance of BCG in preventing the spread of disease, particularly in areas with high TB risk but low vaccination coverage.