Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
Researchers developed a new TB vaccine H56 that reduces clinical disease and prevents reactivation of latent infection when combined with BCG, a current but ineffective vaccine. This breakthrough could lead to improved protection against TB.
The TB Research Movement aims to create a framework for concrete actions to harmonize and synergize TB research efforts globally. The movement is creating a framework for more research and innovation, particularly for the poor and vulnerable populations burdened by TB.
Researchers validate preclinical effectiveness of TB drug target DNA gyrase B, killing bacteria in both replicating and dormant states. This could lead to a shorter treatment length, improving patient compliance and reducing drug resistance.
A University of Adelaide scientist highlights the potential of freely available software tools to predict the spread of diseases in Australian wildlife and commercial stock. The team used these tools to estimate that up to 100,000 buffalo would need to be culled annually for 15 years to reduce TB prevalence near zero.
Researchers discovered that targeting host enzymes with imatinib reduces M. tuberculosis load and enhances traditional antibiotics' effectiveness. This approach limits infection and may reduce antibiotic-resistant strains.
Researchers discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces a protein that disables the immune response, allowing the bacteria to live comfortably in human cells. This breakthrough provides new targets for developing better treatments against this devastating disease.
A study by Frank Cobelens and colleagues found that the Xpert MTB/RIF diagnostic test is cost-effective for TB diagnosis in high-burden countries. The test reduces years of life lost due to TB, making it a highly cost-effective investment.
A study found a decrease in TB cases in the US between 2000 and 2009, particularly among recent immigrants and disadvantaged groups. The drop was attributed to economic recession and lower immigration rates, but the long-term impact on public health remains uncertain.
A large-scale community-randomized trial found that community counseling reduced TB prevalence and child infections by half, with costs under $1 per person per year. The ZAMSTAR project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, improved TB testing and service integration in communities.
Recent research highlights that faster diagnostic tests are necessary but not sufficient to improve health outcomes for tuberculosis and HIV patients. The study emphasizes the need for thorough evaluation of diagnostics to ensure technical advancements translate into better patient care.
Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) poses a significant threat globally, with over half a million cases of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and 25,000 to 50,000 XDR-TB cases. Sanatoria were used to isolate patients, but their dismantling led to the current crisis. The Lancet calls for new-age sanatoria to provide state-of-...
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the optimal time to integrate HIV treatment with TB therapy depends on a patient's immune status. Patients with advanced HIV disease who start antiretroviral treatment earlier show significant improvements in survival rates.
Starting HIV therapy two weeks after TB treatment increases survival by 33 percent, according to a recent study. The study suggests that immunosuppressed patients should be started on ART rapidly at two weeks after beginning TB therapy.
Researchers at Trudeau Institute found a link between the formation of new lymphoid tissue in the lungs and protection from tuberculosis. The study, published in The Journal of Immunology, may lead to improved vaccines and therapies for fighting deadly disease.
Researchers discovered that vitamin D is essential for triggering an effective immune response against tuberculosis, a potentially fatal lung disease. They found that T-cells release a protein called interferon-γ that requires sufficient levels of vitamin D to activate immune cells and kill the bacteria.
A new health needs assessment framework is proposed to better manage child contacts of adult TB cases. The approach aims to reduce child mortality and the reservoir of M. tuberculosis in the community, contributing to TB elimination.
A new study predicts that smoking could cause 18 million more cases of tuberculosis worldwide and 40 million additional deaths over the next 40 years. The research, led by UCSF, found that smoking raises the risk of contracting TB and death, making it a critical factor in population-wide TB rates.
The TB bacterium has a unique molecule on its outer surface that blocks the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a key protein in the body's immune response. This allows the bacterium to remain infectious and evade the host's defense.
Three Johns Hopkins researchers, including Andrew Feinberg, Gyanu Lamichhane, and Thomas Hartung, have received NIH Director's Awards for their groundbreaking work in epigenetics, tuberculosis, and toxicological testing. Their research aims to revolutionize cancer treatment, develop new antibiotics, and improve human health.
Researchers have identified the protein BVES as a suppressor of colorectal cancer progression and suggest it could be a therapeutic or preventative target. Modulating BVES expression was found to decrease cancer cell characteristics in human colon cancer cells, providing rational for targeting BVES in individuals with colorectal cancer.
Researchers developed a genetically modified Mycobacterium smegmatis vaccine that induces strong immune response in mice, protecting them from TB infection. The vaccine effectively lowers TB bacteria levels by 1,000 times compared to the current BCG vaccine.
A new TB vaccine candidate has shown promising results in animal studies, inducing a robust T-cell response that could protect against the disease. The vaccine, developed using a closely related species of bacteria, proved both potent and safe, with vaccinated mice living up to 135 days versus 54 days for control mice.
A potential vaccine against tuberculosis has been found to completely eliminate the disease-causing bacteria from infected tissues in mice. The vaccine uses a modified strain of bacteria that triggers a specific immune response, providing longer protection and bactericidal immunity.
Researchers have developed a new method to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) that is faster and cheaper than current methods. The method uses microcalorimeters to detect the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, allowing for rapid diagnosis and antibiotic susceptibility testing.
Researchers have discovered how TB drug pyrazinamide effectively shortens the required duration of TB therapy. The drug acts on latent TB bacteria that exist in an acidic environment, converting to its active form to bind and block vital protein RpsA, ultimately killing the bacteria.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have decoded the workings of Pyrazinamide (PZA), a critical TB drug. PZA inhibits trans-translation, a process essential for cell survival under stress conditions, making it effective against non-growing bacteria called persisters.
Researchers found that commercial blood serum antibody tests are not accurate or cost-effective for diagnosing active TB, leading to more false-positive diagnoses and secondary infections. The World Health Organization has recommended against using these tests in the diagnosis of active TB.
Commercial serological tests used to detect active TB do not accurately diagnose the disease, often producing false positives or negatives. In contrast, sputum smear microscopy is found to be more cost-effective and should take priority in tuberculosis control efforts.
The World Health Organization has released updated guidelines for managing drug-resistant tuberculosis, highlighting the need for more research to improve disease management. Key recommendations include wider use of rapid drug susceptibility testing and ambulatory models of care.
A new urine test uses a portable 'electronic nose' to detect tuberculosis (TB) by analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in patient urine. The test shows promise as a fast and inexpensive diagnostic tool for TB, which affects millions worldwide.
Researchers found that individuals lacking TLR1 proteins are more susceptible to tuberculosis, leading to decreased immune function. The study suggests a potential approach for personalized therapy and prioritizing drug treatment in developing countries.
A new automated DNA test for tuberculosis can significantly increase detection rates, especially in HIV-positive patients. However, economic challenges and implications of the diagnostic tests need exploration.
A new TB test, Xpert MTB/RIF, has been shown to be more sensitive and faster than conventional smear microscopy for diagnosing tuberculosis in children. The test detected twice as many cases among children under 15 and identified all confirmed TB cases in children with HIV.
A new analysis confirms that localized reactive badger culling increases the risk of infection in nearby herds. The study found that the presence of any reactive culling activity within one kilometre of a herd more than doubled the risk of bovine TB, even after adjusting for the number of confirmed outbreaks nearby.
A comprehensive review of respiratory illnesses in the Middle East highlights diverse conditions such as pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial diseases, and chest traumas. The study attributes these disorders to environmental factors, infections, and unique cultural conditions.
Researchers developed alternative smear collection methods that are more convenient for patients, yet maintain the same level of accuracy for diagnosis. The findings suggest that a single patient visit could be sufficient to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis, improving access to treatment, particularly in poor countries.
A new Cardiff University study aims to develop a vaccine patch targeting immune cells in the skin to boost the body's response and prevent HIV transmission. The research uses microneedles to modulate dendritic cells, increasing their potency and inducing immunity.
A new combination therapy of rifapentine and isoniazid, taken once weekly for three months, has been shown to be as effective as traditional daily treatment in preventing latent tuberculosis in people with and without HIV. The study found that 95% of participants completed the treatment, compared to 60% or less with traditional therapy.
A new vaccine to combat tuberculosis has been shown to be safe and effective, but its introduction into the childhood immunization schedule is complicated by concerns over immune response. The study's findings have important implications for designing the most effective immunisation schedules for children.
A recent study published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that PET scans can help determine earlier if treatment for tuberculosis is working or if the disease is multidrug-resistant. This technology has the potential to become a valuable clinical adjunct to genotypic and phenotypic tests, improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at UTHealth found diabetics are three to five times more likely to contract TB than non-diabetics, with 25% of cases attributed to diabetes. Improved diabetes prevention and management, including screening for TB, can benefit both diseases.
A recent study found that face masks worn by TB patients reduced transmission rates to non-infected patients by 50%. This simple intervention may be particularly effective in areas with limited resources and widespread TB. The results suggest that face masks could be a valuable addition to comprehensive TB infection control programs.
Researchers have identified a stem cell population that can reverse nerve cell loss in individuals with Parkinson disease. Protein-based human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were found to efficiently generate functional dopamine neurons and treat a rat model of the disease. These findings suggest a potential new treatment approac...
A McGill research team identified two distinct disease-causing mutations in the IRF8 gene, which causes severe immunodeficiency and disseminated BCG infection. These findings led to a successful stem cell transplant that saved the life of a three-month-old baby girl.
The study found that the private market for TB drugs is substantial and poses a significant risk of drug misuse and resistance. In many countries, private sector sales account for nearly equal amounts of treatment as the public sector, but often exceed international guidelines.
A team of researchers has identified a key role for the protein fibulin-5 in preventing pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in mice. Fibulin-5 prevents POP by facilitating the assembly of normal elastic fibers and inhibiting the activity of MMP9, a protein that degrades these fibers. Increased levels of MMP-9 were found in vaginal tissue sampl...
Scientists have identified MMP-1 as a key enzyme responsible for destroying lung tissue in tuberculosis, leading to the development of drugs that can prevent this damage. The findings suggest that existing MMP inhibitor drugs may be effective in reducing deaths from TB.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that UK immigration screening procedures fail to detect over 70% of latent tuberculosis (TB) cases, with better selection of immigrants to screen increasing detection rates to over 90%. Treating people at an early stage can prevent them from developing active TB and becoming...
A study finds that the UK's current tuberculosis screening policy for immigrants is missing 70% of imported latent infections. Implementing a broader screening program could identify 92% of infected immigrants and reduce future cases of active tuberculosis while remaining cost-effective.
A new TB test has been shown to detect tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant TB with high sensitivity and specificity in resource-poor settings. The test can rapidly diagnose those infected, including those with MDR-TB, and reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found a link between the fur trade routes and modern-day patterns of tuberculosis. The particular TB strain was introduced to remote Aboriginal populations in Canada by French Canadian fur traders during this period.
A new study published in JAMA found that a 4-drug fixed-dose regimen is noninferior to separate drug treatment for tuberculosis, with 93.9% of patients in the FDC group achieving favorable outcomes. This regimen simplifies treatment and reduces the risk of drug resistance.
A study by Stanford scientists found a specific TB strain was unintentionally spread among indigenous peoples of western Canada, leading to epidemics decades later. Poor living conditions and malnutrition on reservations contributed to the outbreak.
Researchers have developed an innovative diagnostic algorithm using a protein named HBHA in combination with IGRA, allowing for rapid identification of those infected but not yet showing symptoms. The new test has the potential to improve TB diagnosis and control strategies worldwide.
The BCG World Atlas is a first-of-its-kind resource providing detailed information on current and past TB vaccination policies and practices across 180+ countries. Clinicians can use this atlas to inform diagnosis and treatment decisions, particularly for foreign-born adults with unclear vaccination histories.
The BCG World Atlas offers detailed information on current and past vaccination policies across over 180 countries. This database aims to improve the care of patients with tuberculosis (TB) by providing useful resources for clinicians, policymakers, and researchers.
Researchers identified a protein called EspC that triggers a stronger immune response in people infected with TB bacteria, making it a promising new vaccine candidate. The protein could also be used to improve diagnosis of TB and underpin next-generation diagnostic blood tests.
Increasing rates of drug-resistant TB pose a significant threat to global progress in controlling the disease. The growing burden of TB is also linked to other risk factors like smoking and diabetes, which increase the risk of contracting the disease by two- and three-fold, respectively.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that re-treatment TB regimens are failing in low- and middle-income settings, with up to one-fourth of patients experiencing relapse or death. Researchers emphasize the need for tailored treatments depending on HIV status and improved access to antiretroviral therapies.
A study in Uganda found that the standard TB retreatment regimen has low treatment response rates, particularly among HIV-infected and multi-drug resistant TB patients. Poor adherence, HIV infection, age, and duration of symptoms were associated with unsuccessful outcomes.