Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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.
Researchers found evidence that Mycobacterial tuberculosis genomes in Peru's human skeletons match animal lineages from seals and sea lions. This suggests marine mammals brought the disease to South America before European arrival. The study provides strong evidence for a complex history of tuberculosis transmission in the Americas.
Scientists found that ancient strains of tuberculosis were most closely related to those in seals and sea lions, suggesting the disease was transmitted from Africa to the Americas via marine animals. This discovery provides new insights into the origins of the disease and its spread among human populations.
Scientists have identified Mycobacterium pinnipedii in Peru skeletons dating back at least 1000 years, revealing seals as a source of pre-Columbian tuberculosis. This finding sheds new light on the history of the disease in the Americas and has implications for future vaccine development.
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.
A new vaccine, rBCG30, offers superior protection against tuberculosis in animal models and cross-protection against leprosy. Boosting rBCG30 with the Antigen 85B protein significantly enhances its effectiveness against leprosy.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered a new clue to understanding how the most important medication for tuberculosis works. The antibiotic Pyrazinamide cuts off the energy production of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, killing the bacteria by disrupting PanD, an enzyme crucial to synthesis of co-enzym...
A commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine reveals the history of 'miraculous' Ebola virus serotherapy, inspired by 19th century discoveries. Additionally, two systematic reviews address challenges of interpreting troponin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease.
The BCG vaccine has a 60-80% protective efficacy against severe forms of tuberculosis in children. Research found that the vaccine is effective against TB infection, with a 19% effectiveness rate among vaccinated children after exposure.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a new strategy for disconnecting molecules, which could be used to create a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine. The method, described in Nature Chemistry, enables the synthesis of complex lipids like hydroxyphthioceranic acid in just 14 steps.
The number of deaths from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria has decreased significantly worldwide since 2000. In sub-Saharan Africa, child deaths from malaria have dropped by 31.5% in the past decade. Researchers attribute the decline to improved access to antiretroviral therapy and treatment.
The study shows accelerated progress in reducing the global burden of HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis (TB) since governments adopted MDG 6. The number of people living with HIV has risen to around 29 million, while TB prevalence rates have decreased in many regions.
Researchers at the University of Otago have discovered a key mechanism that enables mycobacteria to survive in extreme conditions, using hydrogen as a high-energy fuel. By understanding this metabolic process, scientists hope to develop new antibiotics to tackle latent tuberculosis infections.
A new study suggests that getting patients in India quickly evaluated by the right doctors can be as effective at curbing tuberculosis as a highly accurate screening test. Improving access to Xpert MTB/RIF, a new TB test, could reduce new cases by 14.1 percent over 5 years.
A new mathematical model suggests that implementing Xpert MTB/RIF as part of a more ambitious rollout strategy, including private sector engagement and referral networks, could reduce TB incidence by 14.1% in India. The current narrow implementation strategy is expected to only reduce incidence by 0.2%.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that TB-infected elephants have different immune responses to the infection compared to those without it. The team developed a new method to detect cytokine mRNA in elephants, which could lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis in captive elephants.
Research into bedaquiline, a new drug for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), should proceed cautiously in people with drug-sensitive tuberculosis. The drug has shown promising activity against MDR-TB but also presents safety concerns, including increased risk of liver and cardiac toxicity.
New estimates suggest that over 650,000 children develop TB annually in high-burden countries, with India accounting for 27% of the total burden. The study highlights an enormous opportunity for preventive antibiotic treatment among exposed children to reduce the number of cases.
Researchers found that a host genetic factor exacerbates lung damage in severe TB and suggests why gene mutations rendering it inactive are common. The study also showed that drugs targeting P2X7R could be used to treat aggressive forms of TB.
A new TB test uses a fluorescent substrate to detect the BlaC enzyme in sputum samples, enabling fast and accurate diagnosis. The device is portable, easy to use, and undercuts current methods, with a target price tag of less than $1000.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new approach for tuberculosis drugs, inspired by the bacteria-derived antibiotic pyridomycin. The new molecule is more stable and easier to produce synthetically, offering a potential solution to multidrug-resistant strains.
Scientists expect progress in developing an effective TB vaccine, with Phase IIa clinical trials underway. The new vaccine aims to activate both killer and helper cells for improved immune response.
Researchers at Oregon State University have successfully developed a new compound with improved antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant strains of tuberculosis. The findings offer an important new avenue for treatment of the disease, which is responsible for over 1 million deaths annually.
Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for tuberculosis (TB) by targeting the body's immune response rather than directly killing the bacteria. This new host-directed therapy has shown promise in preventing disease severity and controlling bacterial growth, offering hope for those infected with drug-resistant strains.
Researchers found that people taking corticosteroid pills are at increased risk of developing active TB, but were less likely to be screened for the infection. Current guidelines may need to be revised to account for this increased risk and ensure timely screening.
Boston Medical Center (BMC) has been awarded a five-year $861,000 grant to train Ugandans in basic research on tuberculosis and emerging infectious diseases. The program will provide rigorous training in basic research approaches and enable Uganda's Makerere University to build capacity for conducting basic sciences research.
A new screening process for tuberculosis uses interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) to detect pre-existing TB infections, potentially saving thousands from unnecessary treatment. The test can identify latent TB cases that may not reactivate within years, reducing the risk of mass exposure in crowded prison facilities.
The University of Surrey has been awarded a Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop an affordable test for human tuberculosis. The project aims to modify the BCG vaccination and design a new skin test that only gives a positive result when someone has the infection, making it more sustainable in developing countries.
Researchers found that TB lung infection triggers immune system signaling to the gut, decreasing bacterial diversity. This decrease was observed within six days after infection and was replicated using a different strain of the TB microbe.
Students in Cape Town spend almost 60% of their day in poorly ventilated classrooms, at risk of TB transmission. The researchers recommend increasing natural ventilation to reduce risks and lower CO2 concentrations.
Researchers identified a distinctive genetic signature in the blood of children with tuberculosis, allowing for over 80% accurate diagnosis. The discovery could lead to a cheap and effective diagnostic test to start treatment earlier and prevent unnecessary treatment.
Researchers discover multitarget TB drug SQ109 that attacks tuberculosis and other pathogens, reducing the risk of resistance. The team created chemical analogs with improved effectiveness against various diseases, including malaria and parasites.
IDRI's drug discovery efforts continue with a $3.4 million grant extension from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funding supports identifying new leads and drug targets for TB, a devastating disease killing 1.5 million annually.
The Lancet journals publish a special collection on tuberculosis, highlighting emerging challenges like drug-resistant strains and poor treatment outcomes. New anti-tuberculosis drugs and host-directed therapies are being developed to improve treatment efficacy.
Researchers estimate 1 million children develop TB disease each year, while 32,000 suffer from multidrug-resistant TB. The study underscores the need for improved diagnostic methods and global response to TB in children.
The European Respiratory Society has developed new consensus statements to guide the management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Europe. These statements aim to bridge the gap in knowledge due to limited clinical evidence, particularly for extensively drug-resistant TB.
China has successfully reduced its tuberculosis (TB) prevalence by half over 20 years, driven by the directly observed, short-course (DOTS) strategy. The nationwide expansion of DOTS contributed to a significant decrease in TB cases and improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers create novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that burst through bacterial cell walls, killing resistant strains. The discovery could lead to new therapies against tuberculosis and other deadly diseases.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a promising antibiotic, PBTZ169, effective against multi-resistant strains of tuberculosis. The IM4TB Foundation will bring the new treatment to market, addressing limitations in industrial model development costs and accessibility.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that vitamin A and a specific gene assist the immune system by reducing cholesterol levels in TB-infected cells, allowing lysosomes to kill bacteria effectively. This finding may lead to new treatment approaches for tuberculosis.
Acetic acid in vinegar effectively kills drug-resistant tuberculosis bacteria and other stubborn mycobacteria. A 6% solution of acetic acid for 30 minutes reduces TB mycobacteria to undetectable levels, posing a low-risk alternative to toxic disinfectants.
A large-scale survey of South African healthcare workers reveals major gaps in workplace protection against tuberculosis, HIV, and hepatitis. Healthcare workers are at higher risk of contracting these diseases due to lack of screening, vaccination, and proper hygiene practices.
Researchers have discovered genetic signatures associated with bovine tuberculosis (TB) resistance in unaffected cows, providing a potential breakthrough in improving disease control through selective breeding. The study sheds light on the possibility of using genetic information to develop more resilient cattle.
A study by Canadian researchers found a significant association between food shortages and rising TB cases in Zimbabwe, particularly among HIV-positive individuals. The study suggests that adequate food availability is crucial in controlling TB incidence, especially in areas with high HIV prevalence.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered a new class of antibiotics called spectinamides that are active against difficult-to-treat tuberculosis and show promise in treating drug-resistant strains. The drugs work by disrupting the function of a part of the cell known as the ribosome.
Researchers have developed modified forms of spectinomycin that can act against TB bacteria, showing activity against multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains in mice. The new compounds, called spectinamides, are targeted to TB bacteria without harming mammalian cells.
A major South African trial failed to reduce TB cases or deaths among gold miners. Researchers highlight the need for a combination prevention approach with better tests and prompt treatment to control the disease.