Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A study in South Africa found that nearly half of XDR-TB patients discharged into the community were treatment failures, posing a significant risk to public health. The study also revealed that these patients could survive for months or even years, allowing them to infect others.
Researchers have found that infusing patients with their own bone-marrow stromal cells may lead to improved cure rates for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. The study showed 16 patients treated with MSCs were deemed cured at 18 months compared to only 5 without MSC treatment.
Researchers discovered that invariant natural killer T cells produce and release GM-CSF to control Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. This finding provides insight into the immune system's ability to combat TB.
A new study reveals the BCG vaccine is highly protective against pulmonary TB globally, including in tropical regions. The key to its effectiveness lies in early vaccination before prior infection, suggesting a crucial role for BCG in controlling TB's major burden and transmission.
The AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) Network has received a seven-year, $140 million NIH grant to support its ongoing research. The funding will enable the network to conduct clinical trials in resource-limited settings and develop novel therapeutic interventions for HIV-associated inflammation.
A new animal study led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that TB lung lesions are surprisingly variable and independent of each other, regardless of whether the patient has clinically active or latent disease. The findings could point the way to new vaccines to prevent the hard-to-treat infection.
Researchers have discovered a potent natural antibiotic, pyridomycin, that targets two key enzymes in tuberculosis bacteria. The molecule's unique three-dimensional structure allows it to simultaneously inhibit the production of the bacterium's lipid membrane, drastically reducing the risk of resistance.
Researchers discovered a mechanism behind VapC20 toxin in M. tuberculosis, which destroys the bacteria's protein factory by cleaving a key location. This discovery could lead to new ways of treating pathogenic bacteria by impairing their cytotoxin use.
New research published in PLOS ONE confirms the presence of tuberculosis from 7,000 years ago in a human skeleton from Hungary. Analysis of ancient DNA and lipids on the bones revealed a bacterial complex associated with tuberculosis.
The Xpert test improved same-day diagnosis and reduced treatment drop-out rates in a real-life clinical setting. However, it did not reduce the severity of TB-related illness or overall number of cases treated.
Researchers from Imperial College London have discovered how Mycobacterium tuberculosis tricks the immune system to establish persistent infections. They hope to develop small molecule drugs that can block or destroy the bacteria by targeting these sugar molecules.
A new DNA test, Xpert MTB/RIF, has shown high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in HIV-infected individuals. The test was compared to smear microscopy and demonstrated improved performance, especially after centrifuging the sample. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers identified a host blood RNA transcriptional signature that can form the basis of a simple diagnostic test to differentiate TB from latent TB and other diseases. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between these conditions, with promising results for potential use in African health facilities.
Researchers found that TB-infected badgers were less well-connected within their own groups but formed important links for the spread of infection between groups. The study suggests that this unusual social arrangement may stabilize the spread of TB across the population.
A study by Nicola Weber and colleagues found that TB-infected badgers are less likely to spread the disease within their own groups but more likely to facilitate spread across a network. Vaccination may be a more effective strategy for controlling TB in badger populations, maintaining social structure intact.
Researchers have developed a new tuberculosis vaccine that acts as a booster to the existing Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine, which is ineffective in many cases. The vaccine was tested in a phase one clinical study and showed a robust immune response in most trial participants.
Scientists at Brown University have discovered a novel compound that can kill the TB bacterium by inhibiting ClpP, a cellular enzyme not targeted by any antibacterial drugs. The findings could lead to new treatments for tuberculosis and other infections resistant to traditional antibiotics.
New rapid diagnostic tests have been shown to diagnose drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in a quarter of the time taken by current methods. The three new tests - pyrosequencing, HAIN line probe test, and microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) test - produced similar results to standard testing with 95-98% accuracy.
Researchers have discovered that the protein Parkin plays a key role in fighting tuberculosis, triggering the destruction of bacteria by immune cells. This finding suggests that strategies already being explored to combat Parkinson's disease may also be effective against tuberculosis.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis originated in Africa at least 70,000 years ago. The bacteria have a strikingly close genetic match with humans, suggesting a long history of co-evolution. This has led to the development of new strategies for disease control and may help predict future patterns of the disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a blood pressure medication speeds up TB treatment in mice, potentially making it easier for infected people to complete their therapy. The study suggests verapamil, commonly used to treat high blood pressure and headaches, could be an effective add-on therapy when combined with standard...
A University of Washington team has developed a microneedle patch that can precisely deliver a tuberculosis test without user error. The patch uses biodegradable needles and has been shown to be as effective as the traditional skin test in detecting the infection.
A new study analyzes dozens of tuberculosis genomes to understand why TB is so prevalent and how it evolves to resist countermeasures. The analysis shows that the bacterium takes advantage of human population growth and history, evolving to thrive in crowded and wretched conditions.
A new strategy developed at UC Davis Health System tests for telltale antibodies in the blood to detect tuberculosis, potentially improving treatment outcomes. The test can detect about 80% of active TB cases, making it a significant advancement in disease detection.