Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine and Brazilian experts found that preventive antibiotic therapy for people with HIV lowers their chances of developing TB or dying. Isoniazid therapy reduced deaths and new cases of active TB disease by 31 percent among men and women already infected with HIV.
Researchers at University of Southampton have discovered new markers of tuberculosis that may help in developing new diagnostic tests and treatments. Lung damage releases specific proteins, which can be used to screen individuals and halt transmission between population groups.
Researchers will study tuberculosis in India, examining co-morbidities such as smoking and malnutrition that increase risk of developing the disease. The joint program aims to identify new diagnostic biomarkers for early detection and targeted interventions.
Researchers have developed a new method to pinpoint single DNA mutations, which could aid in diagnosing and treating diseases like cancer and tuberculosis. The technology is robust, easy to use, and suitable for low-resource settings.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identifies a genetic mutation in Africans with HIV that increases their risk of tuberculosis. The research found that low expression of immune response gene MIF confers almost a two-and-a-half fold increased risk for severe TB.
Researchers successfully recovered TB genomes from a 215-year-old mummy using metagenomics, revealing mixed-strain infections and strain lineages circulating in Europe for centuries. The study highlights the significance of mixed-strain infections and the effectiveness of metagenomics in tracking microbial evolution.
Scientists found ethnic differences in immune responses to TB bacterium, impacting diagnosis and treatment. The study identified genetic variation in vitamin D binding protein as a key factor.
Researchers have created a comprehensive regulatory map of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, revealing how the bacterium adapts to changing conditions. This breakthrough provides unique insights into how TB survives in the host and how it can be tackled with new drug interventions.
Researchers at Boston University's National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories have generated a map of the cellular circuitry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, shedding light on its ability to survive inactive in the human body for decades and resist treatment. The study provides new insight into the bacterium's survival mechanisms...
A new anti-tuberculosis compound has shown powerful activity against ordinary active TB bacteria, non-replicating TB bacteria, and extensively drug-resistant strains. The compound works in two different ways, targeting TB replication and dormancy, and shows no toxicity or adverse side effects.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have identified a new mechanism of PZA drug resistance, which could lead to the development of new antibiotic therapies. The study found that mutations in the panD gene may also be involved in PZA resistance, providing new insight into how this mysterious drug works.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed an experimental vaccine that prevents the virulent TB bacterium from invading the brain and causing TB meningitis. The new vaccine was tested in guinea pigs and showed promise in reducing brain damage and death, with higher levels of protective antibodies and interferons.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that vitamin C can kill drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in laboratory culture, suggesting a new approach to shorten TB therapy. The study found that vitamin C induced a Fenton reaction, causing reactive oxygen species that kill the TB bacteria.
Researchers have created a comprehensive map of the tuberculosis protein, allowing scientists to pinpoint specific proteins and discover new ones. This resource may aid in the development of new therapies and early detection methods, targeting the main target for medication: pathogen proteins.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $2.9 million grant to Aeras, Oxford University, and Okairos to develop novel vaccines against tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria. The collaboration aims to create scalable methods for large-scale production of multiple chimpanzee adenovirus vector constructs.
Researchers found that ambrisentan treatment worsened IPF progression and hospitalization rates. Assessing acute changes in Lung Allocation Score can inform organ wait-list strategies to reduce post-transplant mortality. Inexpensive behavioral interventions helped TB patients in poor countries quit smoking, offering a basis for effecti...
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has seen a significant rise in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases, with up to 15% of patients failing to respond to commonly used drugs. The National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, established in 2010, provides a rare example of international collaboration in the fight against TB.
Researchers found that excess tumor necrosis factor production initially kills TB pathogens, but later encourages their growth. Certain drug combinations can reverse this effect, potentially reverting hypersusceptibility to hyperresistance.
The joint research collaboration aims to develop new approaches to tackle emerging infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. The project will focus on designing treatments and vaccines for tuberculosis, predicting patients at risk of severe dengue, and developing improved vaccines against virus diseases.
A recent study found that vitamin D levels in the blood are linked to improved lung function in adults. The study also discovered that people with a history of tuberculosis had lower vitamin D levels, which improved when levels rose.
The Third Global Forum on TB Vaccines brings together researchers and stakeholders to review progress and discuss strategies to advance the field. New research suggests that novel vaccines for adolescents and adults could significantly reduce TB cases and deaths in high-burden countries by 2050.
The Lancet warns of the growing threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis, with more than 30% of newly-diagnosed patients having MDR TB in some parts of eastern Europe and central Asia. To eliminate TB as a public health problem by 2050, incidence needs to fall by 16% per year for 40 years.