Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a genetic error that makes children susceptible to two unrelated diseases: aggravating fungal infections and invasive, potentially fatal bacterial disease. The mutation affects the RORC gene, which controls the production of cytokines crucial for fighting off mycobacteria.
A study found that starting anti-HIV treatment within two weeks of TB diagnosis improved survival rates among patients with very low CD4 T-cell counts. However, delaying treatment until after TB is completed may be beneficial for patients with stronger immune systems.
EPFL scientists identified lansoprazole as an excellent candidate against tuberculosis, a global pandemic, by screening thousands of approved drugs. The study found that lansoprazole kills the bacterium after being converted into a sulfur-containing metabolite, targeting a crucial enzyme for energy production.
Researchers have discovered a unique process in TB bacteria that uses an additional protein to read DNA, providing a potential new target for antibiotics. This finding could speed up the drug discovery process by allowing scientists to quickly rule out ineffective treatments.
Researchers at SLU's Center for Vaccine Development are studying gamma/delta T cells, a subset of T cells that recognize and fight TB. The goal is to develop a novel vaccine that could significantly reduce TB infection and disease.
A study found that household contacts of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) patients were 44% less likely to contract tuberculosis than those of drug-susceptible cases. The researchers suggest this may be due to a lower relative fitness of MDRTB strains.
A new study reveals that Mycobacterium tuberculosis hijack protective hypoxic zones in bone marrow stem cells to hide and survive. The research found that these stem cells exhibit strong binding to pimonidazole, indicating hypoxia localization, and express a key gene involved in regulating oxygen levels.
Scientists from HIPS and HZI discover cyclohexylgriselimycin, a variant of griselimycin, effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with low risk of resistance development. The new agent targets DNA clamp, preventing bacterial proliferation and offering potential therapeutic approach to drug-resistant tuberculosis.
The tuberculosis bacterium co-opts mechanisms of the immune system to its own advantage by releasing small bits of DNA into macrophages. This triggers an immune response that helps the bacteria rather than fights it. Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate this process, potentially paving the way for new treatments
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified an enzyme involved in protecting the body from pathogens that senses Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study found that modulating cGAS activity could be a novel approach to therapy, and cGAMP may be used as a biomarker for active disease.
A new online tool called TB-Profiler can predict genetic resistance to tuberculosis drugs in a matter of minutes, improving the likelihood of cure for patients with drug-resistant TB. The tool uses genome sequence data to analyze and interpret resistance to 11 drugs used for treatment.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center identified a crucial role for calcium signaling in controlling inflammation during chronic lung infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Calcium channels play a key role in shutting down the immune response and preventing injurious inflammation.
Researchers found no significant difference between treatment outcomes of patients using locally sourced and internationally quality-assured antibiotics. The study suggests that locally procured drugs can be a sustainable strategy, encouraging local pharmaceutical industries to adhere to quality standards.
Preliminary research suggests that elderly individuals in China will contribute significantly to TB infections and cases, with their burden increasing from 13% to 71%. Developing a 'post-infection' vaccine could reduce TB rates by almost a third by 2050.
A new approach to combating tuberculosis aims to harness the body's natural anti-microbial process, autophagy, to target Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Autophagy is being researched for its potential role in various diseases, including heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers have identified a new compound produced by freshwater bacteria that is effective against drug-resistant tuberculosis and other infections. The discovery provides a promising alternative to current treatments and could help combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance worldwide.
A new study reveals how tuberculosis took hold in 18th century Europe, using DNA from mummified bodies to show the virus was spread through mixed infections. The research also confirms the genotypic continuity of TB infections across centuries.
Case Western Reserve University is leading an international team studying resistance to bacteria causing TB. The goal is to develop a new approach to treating and curing the disease by understanding how resistant individuals fight off infections.
Researchers have identified blood-based biomarkers that accurately diagnose active tuberculosis (TB) disease, monitor treatment response, and predict cure. These markers differentiate between latent TB infection and active TB with high specificity and sensitivity.
Researchers developed a tissue culture model to study latent tuberculosis infection, finding that the human immune system generates an early response that protects against active disease. However, some bacteria can adapt and survive in these high-pressure environments, increasing the risk of reactivation.
The Xpert MTB/RIF assay shows improved sensitivity for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis in children compared to smear microscopy. However, the test's sensitivity remains suboptimum compared to culture tests, highlighting the need for continued research and clinical acumen in TB diagnosis.
India's TB epidemic is worsened by the failure of its Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program to engage the private sector, argues Dr. Zarir Udwadia. The program needs to provide free diagnosis and treatment to all patients, regardless of sector, to control the spread of TB.
The International Journal of Infectious Diseases publishes a special issue to mark World TB Day, highlighting recent successes and future challenges in eliminating TB. The issue presents new vaccine candidates, diagnostic techniques, and treatment options for drug-resistant strains.
The World Health Organization's End TB Strategy aims to eliminate tuberculosis through optimized implementation of current tools, universal health coverage, and adequate research investment. By implementing these approaches, the authors assert that ending the tuberculosis epidemic is achievable within two decades.
A new TB drug regimen, PaMZ, has shown promising results in a Phase 2b clinical trial, demonstrating the potential to treat both drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant TB in four to six months. The regimen, comprising pretomanid and moxifloxacin, was found to be effective independent of HIV status.
A large-scale genetic study of tuberculosis susceptibility has identified a key gene, ASAP1, that affects an individual's ability to fight the infection. The research found that variants of this gene impact susceptibility to TB and may hold clues to designing more effective vaccines for prevention.
The American College of Physicians recommends against routine cardiac screening for low-risk adults, citing insufficient evidence and potential harms. Instead, physicians should focus on mitigating cardiovascular risk through treating modifiable factors like smoking and hypertension.
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a crucial molecular mechanism underlying the immune response to tuberculosis. By adjusting the levels of a specific molecule called c-di-AMP, they may be able to develop more effective human therapies for TB treatment.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new approach to diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) using oral swab samples, greatly improving on standard diagnostics. The method was tested in 20 healthy individuals and 20 TB patients, detecting TB in 18 out of 20 confirmed cases.
Researchers at UGA have discovered a new small molecule drug that may serve as a treatment against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. The compound works by interrupting the production of RNA, rendering the bacterium incapable of reproducing and spreading infection.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $6.2 million grant to Weill Cornell Medical College to tackle the global tuberculosis epidemic. The grant, worth up to $45.7 million over seven years, aims to develop new treatments and shorten therapy duration for patients with drug-resistant TB.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is expanding its Tuberculosis Research Units (TBRU) program to improve understanding of TB latency and persistence. Four new institutions will collaborate on research projects focusing on biomarkers, metabolic factors and T cell responses to control TB.
Researchers identified key immune biomarkers that can help distinguish between HIV patients who experience life-threatening complications and those who fare well on treatment. The findings suggest that personalized approaches may be necessary for these patients, as a one-size-fits-all approach could worsen outcomes.
Researchers found that anti-TB granulomas have abnormal blood vessel networks, similar to solid tumors, which limit drug penetration. Treating these vessels with bevacizumab improved drug delivery and reduced oxygen-starved cells.
Regular cattle testing could lead to TB eradication regardless of badger culling, study suggests. Cattle housed in large sheds over winter can double infected animals in a herd.
A randomized clinical trial compared the safety and effectiveness of combination therapy with rifapentine and isoniazid to treatment only with isoniazid. The study found that combination therapy was as effective in preventing TB in children, with zero cases reported in the combination group compared to three in the isoniazid-only group.
A new multiple-target, real-time reverse transcription-PCR (real-time RT-PCR) TaqMan assay can differentiate between patients with latent TB and those with active disease. The assay targets eight human immune markers and has a sensitivity of up to 100% for active disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new treatment strategy that allows lower doses of the toxic tuberculosis drug bedaquiline to retain potency while reducing side effects. This approach, which combines bedaquiline with verapamil, has shown promising results in mouse studies and is poised for clinical trials.
Scientists have discovered that Metformin can boost the efficacy of TB medication and stop Mtb replication without promoting drug resistance. This discovery could lead to a new and affordable treatment strategy for tuberculosis, potentially shortening clinical trials.
A Rutgers researcher has received a $640,000 NIH grant to develop a rapid Ebola test that can be used in remote locations where the disease has spread. The test, modeled after an existing tuberculosis test, will diagnose patients quickly and accurately, reducing the need for isolation and treatment delays.
Researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) imaging to monitor antibiotic treatment effects in TB-infected monkeys and humans. Changes in PET/CT scans over time accurately predicted treatment outcomes, potentially shortening clinical trials and saving resources.
A new study using PET scans reveals that these tests can accurately predict which TB treatment drugs are likely to be effective in human trials. The findings could lead to the development of more effective treatments for patients with multi-drug resistant TB.
Researchers found that blocking angiogenesis can reduce bacterial numbers, limit their spread and increase survival rates in infected lab animals. The study suggests a potential new therapeutic approach targeting the body's response to tuberculosis rather than directly attacking the bacteria.
A systematic review found that reminder systems, including pre-appointment prompts and contact with missed appointments, can significantly improve treatment completion rates. The review's findings suggest these policies have important benefits and can contribute to improving TB treatment outcomes.
Smoking increases susceptibility to TB infection, with white blood cells in smokers' lungs showing a weakened response to the disease. The discovery provides new insights into treating and preventing TB, which kills 1.5 million people annually.
Researchers at Boston University will identify biomarkers for TB infection and disease progression, aiming to reduce mortality rates. The study aims to develop new tools for preventing and treating TB, a deadly disease affecting millions globally.
REACH ETHIOPIA, a collaboration between LSTM, has been awarded the 2014 Kochon Prize for its innovative community-based TB treatment approach. The project doubled TB case notification in a 3-million population and achieved a treatment success rate of 93%, demonstrating the effectiveness of bringing services closer to communities.
A clinical trial in Sub-Sahara African countries shows a four-month TB treatment is well-tolerated and works for subsets of patients, but is not an alternative to the standard six-month treatment. The new regimen was beneficial for patients without lung cavitation, undernourished individuals, and those living with HIV.
EPFL scientists have developed two small molecules that can overcome the multidrug resistance of Mtb, a bacterium that causes tuberculosis. The compounds inhibit the secretion of virulence protein EsxA and exert multiple effects against Mtb's molecular apparatus.
A new study suggests that vaccines developed for adolescents and adults could have a significant impact on tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. The researchers found that these vaccines could provide dramatic levels of control needed to eliminate TB by 2050. However, the current BCG vaccine given to infants is not enough to achieve this goal.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that ibuprofen can reduce lung inflammation in elderly mice, improving their immune response to tuberculosis. By lowering inflammation, ibuprofen made the lungs of old mice appear younger and more effective at fighting infection.
Scientists from Brown University and MIT have discovered new details on how ADEPs bind to the ClpP complex in Mtb, a crucial step towards optimizing these compounds for TB treatment. Novel ADEP analogs show improved binding and activation of ClpP, paving the way for designing new drugs.
Experts at LSTM used a novel modelling approach to project the effects of new diagnostic methods and algorithms for TB in Tanzania. The integrated model compared the costs and effectiveness of different diagnostic options, identifying Xpert MTB/RIF as a cost-effective option with the potential to reduce the national burden of TB.
Researchers have developed a new DNA sequencing method that can detect and characterize the bacteria causing tuberculosis in a matter of days, without the need for time-consuming laboratory culture. The technique, known as metagenomics, uses high-throughput sequencing technologies to analyze DNA extracted from sputum samples.
Grand Challenges Canada awards $2.4 million to 22 projects addressing major health burdens in low-resource countries, including tuberculosis, deafness, and mental health problems. Innovations include a personal eyepiece for deaf children and sterile drill covers for low-cost orthopaedic trauma surgery.
A new series published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology finds that the growing global diabetes epidemic is hampering progress in controlling and eliminating tuberculosis. With over 1 million cases annually, diabetes-associated TB cases are expected to offset the present downward trend in global TB cases by 8% or more by 2035.
Researchers found that macrophages from the lungs of old mice had different responses to infections than those of young mice, but these changes were reversed by ibuprofen. The study suggests that reducing inflammation with diet, exercise, and/or drugs may help prevent or reduce diseases in the elderly.
Researchers have devised a genetic barcode that can identify different types of tuberculosis (TB) bacteria, allowing doctors to track the spread of the disease more effectively. The study found that just 62 mutations are needed to code the global family of strains, making it easier for scientists to map how TB moves around the world.
A new blood test provides a fast and accurate tool to diagnose tuberculosis in children, with excellent specificity and similar sensitivity as culture tests. The test features sputum-independent results available within 24 hours after blood sampling, making it a major advance for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children.
A UCLA-led study discovered a protein called interleukin-32 that helps protect people with latent tuberculosis from developing the active form of the disease. The researchers found that vitamin D levels play a crucial role in this protection, and supplementing with vitamin D may help prevent TB.