Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
TB researchers propose a biosocial approach combining biomedical interventions with social actions to address root causes of the disease, which include poverty, malnutrition, and overcrowding. The strategy aims to reduce morbidity and mortality while alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development.
A £3.5 million grant will fund a trial to determine whether a weekly vitamin D supplement can prevent tuberculosis (TB) in 5,400 primary schoolchildren in Cape Town. The trial aims to discover whether the supplement can reduce the risk of acquiring latent TB infection, which may develop into active TB later in life.
Researchers at Tulane National Primate Research Center are working on a new tuberculosis vaccine by modifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis to lose stress response gene SigmaH. Monkeys vaccinated with the modified strain showed better resistance to infection and protective immune responses in their lungs.
HIV-infected patients are excluded from early-phase clinical trials of new anti-tuberculosis drugs, resulting in slower development and potential drug interactions with antiretroviral therapy. Experts urge including HIV patients in relevant trials to accelerate development and address drug resistance.
Research suggests that universal TB screening of immigrants to Canada is costly and inefficient, with most cases detected from a small number of high-risk countries. The study recommends targeting screening on immigrants from countries with high TB rates, rather than universally.
A study found that the majority of active TB cases in Canada were linked to immigrants from Afghanistan, China, India, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam. This suggests that developed countries can focus on screening for TB in high-risk immigrants rather than screening all arrivals.
A Phase 2a trial will assess the safety and immunogenicity of IDRI's TB vaccine candidate in 60 participants in South Africa, who have previously had active TB. The trial aims to reduce TB recurrence after treatment, a major threat to TB control programs.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that electronic reminders can significantly improve tuberculosis treatment adherence in China. Patients who received electronic medication monitors missed only 17% of their doses, compared to 29.9% for those with no reminders and 27.3% for those receiving text message reminders.
A cluster randomized controlled trial found that electronic reminders via medication monitors and text messages improved tuberculosis treatment adherence, with non-adherent rates decreasing from 29.9% to 17.0%. The study suggests innovative approaches to improve TB treatment outcomes in remote areas.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London found declining numbers of Bovine TB infections in Scotland and Wales, while England's approach is unlikely to succeed. More frequent testing led to effective control of the disease, with a significant decline in infections.
Researchers have developed three new rapid tests for diagnosing drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), which can be completed in as little as a day. The tests were found to be accurate in detecting resistance to most anti-TB drugs, with the molecular techniques showing superior performance.
A project in Togo saw a 10% drop in TB death rates by increasing the treatment success rate to 95%, while mortality dropped from 13% to 3%. The redesigned system improved coverage, quality, and patient participation, highlighting the importance of data analysis and skilled workforce.
Researchers have identified a novel virulence factor that could be ripe for drug development, targeting the electron transport process in TB. The discovery of MenJ, a gene essential for the organism's proliferation, offers hope for rapid treatment of the disease.
A new $1.45-million program will enhance the training of scores of Ghanaian researchers in new research methods, grant writing, ethics, and clinical care for TB and HIV patients.
Researchers found that ethoxzolamide inhibits TB's ability to detect acidic environments, effectively blinding the bacterium and allowing the immune system to attack. This compound could help shorten treatment duration and slow the emergence of drug resistance in TB.
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 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.
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.
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.