Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
A team of researchers from the McGill University Health Centre has received a $4.9 million CIHR grant to study a new, four-month treatment for latent tuberculosis that could help eradicate TB worldwide. The current nine-month treatment causes many side effects, and this new regimen has already shown fewer unwanted side effects.
Researchers found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis converts NO2 to NO using coenzyme F420, protecting itself from oxidative damage. This defense mechanism allows the bacteria to survive in the human immune system and stay dormant until the system is weakened.
Researchers at McMaster University are launching Canada's first tuberculosis (TB) vaccine clinical trial with a vaccine designed, manufactured and tested within the university. The phase 1 clinical trial will evaluate the safety of the new vaccine and assess immune responses in healthy volunteers.
Researchers developed an onsite method to quickly diagnose tuberculosis and distinguish drug-resistant strains from treatable ones. The method uses bacteriophages with a green fluorescence protein to provide rapid and relatively cheap diagnosis in rural African areas.
Researchers have created a new onsite method to quickly diagnose tuberculosis, reducing diagnosis time from weeks to days. The test uses bacteriophages with green fluorescence protein to detect the deadly drug-resistant strains that can mingle undetected with treatable TB strains.
A groundbreaking partnership between Einstein College of Medicine and the University of KwaZulu-Natal will focus on developing faster diagnostic tools and better chemotherapies for TB, MDR-TB, XDR-TB, and HIV. The institute aims to train a new generation of scientists in Africa and bridge the gap between bench and bedside research.
Researchers used guinea pigs to test air disinfection methods, finding that UV lights and negative ionizers reduced TB transmission. The study showed a significant decrease in TB infection rates when UV lights and fans were used to ventilate patient room air.
Researchers found that installing UV C lights can reduce TB transmission, including drug-resistant strains. The study showed a 35-45% reduction in infection rates when UVC lights were used.
A new strategy to enhance the BCG vaccine's effectiveness has shown superior protection against tuberculosis in a pre-clinical test. By neutralizing the bacteria's evasive mechanisms, researchers have increased the number of TB organisms killed and duration of protection by threefold.
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine recommend using rifampin instead of isoniazid for treating non-active TB in children who are immigrants, internationally adopted or refugees. This change aims to prevent the development of active TB and reduce healthcare costs.
Scientists have found that combining FDA-approved drugs meropenem and clavulanate is effective in killing laboratory-grown strains of Mtb, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. This breakthrough could lead to a new treatment option for people infected with XDR TB, a rare but deadly form of multidrug-resistant TB.
A new study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that interferon can improve the effectiveness of the current tuberculosis vaccine by enhancing dendritic cell function. The research found that type I interferon stimulated dendritic cells to produce a stronger immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
A Taiwanese study found that older people and those with an Aboriginal background experienced longer diagnosis and treatment delays for tuberculosis. This delay can lead to more extensive disease, complications, and higher mortality rates.
A new tracking system using personal digital assistants has been developed to monitor tuberculosis patients, significantly reducing the time it takes for test results to reach doctors from 23 days to 8 days. This innovation also eliminates the risk of lost results and is more cost-effective than traditional paper-based systems.
Researchers at NIST and Brookhaven National Laboratory have defined the structure of a metabolic switch found inside most types of bacteria, revealing how a key protein regulates genes involved in bacterial survival. The discovery could lead to new methods for preventing tuberculosis and other pathogenic diseases.
Researchers have discovered a compound that targets four crucial metabolic pathways of the tuberculosis bacterium, weakening and destroying it. This approach could lead to the development of safer, single-drug treatments that eliminate the need for lengthy medication regimens.
A study of 153,268 TB patients in the US found that substance abuse is a significant modifiable behavior impeding TB elimination efforts. Substance abusers were more likely to have contagious forms of TB and experience treatment failure compared to non-abusers.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre have developed a new four-month treatment for latent TB, which causes less liver damage and improves patient adherence. The study found that this shorter treatment is better tolerated than the traditional nine-month treatment with isoniazid.
A mobile phone text-messaging strategy has shown promising results in improving tuberculosis treatment adherence among patients in remote locations. The system uses SMS reminders to monitor medication intake, resulting in high treatment success rates and improved patient compliance.
A Forsyth Institute researcher is working on a new TB diagnostic test that could save up to 625,000 lives annually. The test aims to detect the TB bacterium's molecules in patient urine, providing a non-invasive and quick diagnosis.
Levels of drug-resistant TB in China are nearly twice the global average, with 10% resistant to first-line drugs. The prevalence varied greatly between provinces, with an average weighted mean of 9.3% among all cases.
An experimental TB drug called PA-824 has been found to work by producing nitric oxide gas, which kills the bacteria. The discovery could lead to the development of new drugs against other disease-causing bacteria, as humans lack the bacterial enzyme needed for the drug's effect.
Researchers found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses foamy macrophage formation to survive in infected individuals. These 'foamy' cells provide a nutrient-rich reservoir for the bacteria, allowing it to persist in a dormant state.
A decline in US XDR-TB cases has been observed over the past 15 years, coinciding with improved TB and HIV/AIDS control. However, new cases continue to emerge, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance regarding drug resistance.
Patients with XDR-TB are more likely to fail treatment and die compared to those with MDR-TB, highlighting the need for improved diagnosis and treatment options.
A proteomics study has identified new proteins that facilitate communication between the immune system and the self-cleaning process, potentially leading to new treatments for tuberculosis. The research found that autophagy plays a crucial role in immune response, particularly against intracellular pathogens.
A study found that undocumented immigrants with tuberculosis exhibit longer symptom durations and more severe symptoms before seeking care. This raises concerns about the value of improving access to healthcare for these individuals.
A new TB vaccine, rBCG(mbtB)30, shows promise in preclinical trials, providing better protection and safety for HIV-positive individuals. The innovative design limits the vaccine's replication, reducing the risk of severe disease and death, a significant improvement over the current BCG vaccine.
A new blood test has been shown to identify patients at risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB) with greater precision than the traditional skin test. The ELISpot blood test can pinpoint those who need preventative treatment, reducing unnecessary treatments and associated risks.
Researchers at Saint Louis University have identified an investigational vaccine that induces a better immune response and is more effective at protecting against tuberculosis. The vaccine uses a weakened TB germ from one of the strains of the current tuberculosis vaccine.
The Chinese early detection system for infectious diseases has identified clusters of bird-flu in humans in real time, providing authorities with early warning of the start of a pandemic. The system has been instrumental in reducing the impact of infectious diseases, with significant gains in life expectancy and infant mortality rates.
The SAPIT trial shows that integrating TB and HIV treatment saves lives, reducing mortality among co-infected patients. The study found that providing antiretroviral therapy at the same time as TB treatment significantly reduces mortality, especially in South Africa where 70% of TB patients are infected with HIV.
The discovery of ancient DNA in 9,000-year-old bones found off the coast of Israel reveals that human tuberculosis is 3,000 years older than previously thought. The study confirms that the human strain of TB evolved before bovine TB and sheds light on its evolution over time.
Researchers have identified a new gene, Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), that may contribute to human vulnerability to pulmonary tuberculosis. The study found that males are more susceptible than females to the disease.
A new gene, Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), has been identified as having a probable role in human susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis. The study found that males are more susceptible than females.
Researchers at Aberystwyth University have licensed a discovery of a protein that can 'wake up' dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, potentially leading to the development of a more effective vaccine. The Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation plans to take its recombinant BCG (AERAS-407) vaccine to clinical trial in 2009.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study projects that China will experience an estimated 65 million COPD deaths and 18 million lung cancer deaths between 2003 and 2033 if current smoking and biomass fuel use levels continue, highlighting the need for large-scale interventions to reduce disease burden
Sequella has received a $2.3 million NIH grant to develop SQ641, a promising new TB drug that demonstrates superior in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Phase 2 SBIR grant will fund critical path studies for delivery optimization and IND-related activities.
A research article compares CT findings in mesenteric tuberculosis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), revealing specific enhancement patterns and anatomic lymph node distribution. The 'sandwich sign' is more often found in NHL, aiding in differential diagnosis between tuberculosis and untreated NHL involving the small bowel mesentery.
Researchers tested two Ayurvedic herbs, Curcuma longa and Tinospora cordifolia, in a clinical trial to evaluate their ability to prevent hepatotoxicity. The results showed that the formulation was safe and effective in preventing liver damage, with only 0.06% incidence of mild hepatotoxicity compared to 14% in the control group.
A team of Michigan Tech researchers is harnessing video game technology to model complex biological systems, such as the human immune response to tuberculosis. Using GPUs, they have created a powerful new tool for medical research, allowing for faster and more efficient simulations of diseases like sepsis.
Research found that only 8.5% of patients accounted for 98% of guinea pig TB infections, highlighting the high infectiousness of inadequately treated drug-resistant TB patients. Implementing TB infection control measures can prevent airborne transmission in healthcare facilities.
A new study reveals that an investigational drug, R207910, is effective in killing latent tuberculosis bacteria. The drug targets a protein essential for energy production in active TB, suggesting a potential Achilles heel for dormant bacteria.
African countries are grappling with a growing number of chronic infectious and non-communicable diseases due to scale-up of antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Mortality from all-cause diseases increased by 87% between 1992 and 2005, primarily due to rising deaths from infectious disease affecting both sexes.
Researchers found that aggressive treatment with at least five effective drugs can cure XDR TB, reversing the chronic features of the disease in many patients. This approach also prevents high mortality rates and further transmission of drug-resistant strains.
Despite being an important part of TB control efforts, children are underrepresented in TB drug development. Key findings include: Children make up 20% of new TB cases and are at high risk of severe TB forms. The lack of child involvement is due to barriers such as diagnostic challenges, side effect concerns, and regulatory requirements.
California officials have identified 18 cases of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) between 1993 and 2006. The state has also seen a rising trend of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) cases, with XDR TB being resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics.
A study of 174 tuberculosis patients found that extensively drug-resistant TB patients were almost eight times as likely to die as those with multi-drug resistant TB. The study emphasizes the critical importance of optimal management of multi-drug resistant cases to prevent progression to XDR-TB and associated poorer outcomes.
A study conducted in Peru found that more than 60% of XDR-TB patients were cured after receiving personalized outpatient therapy. The ambulatory model showed better outcomes than hospital settings and has the potential to be widely implemented in resource-poor settings.
A study published in JAMA Network found that patients receiving rifampicin-based anti-tuberculosis therapy are more likely to experience virological failure when starting nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy. In contrast, efavirenz-based ART was associated with similar virological suppression rates regardless of tuberculosis status.
Current TB treatment regimens are insufficient in countries with high MDR-TB prevalence, leading to significantly higher failure and relapse rates. Studies reveal that for every 1% increase in MDR-TB, there's a corresponding 0.3% rise in new case treatment failure and a 1.1% increase in retreatment failure rate.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have identified a key membrane protein, Rv3671c, essential to Mycobacterium tuberculosis' defense against immune cell acidification. Disabling this protein makes the bacterium vulnerable to acidification and killing.
TB is a threat throughout the course of HIV disease, and addressing it is crucial for saving patient lives and curbing the global TB burden. The authors propose several strategic approaches, including intensified case finding, treating individuals with active TB, and implementing infection control measures.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that bovine tuberculosis is prevalent among wild boar, red deer, and fallow deer in Doñana National Park, threatening the health of endangered lynx and domestic cattle. The high prevalence suggests that a feeding ban alone would have limited effect on controlling the disease.
A study identifies US foreign-born persons from certain regions as being at a higher risk of contracting and spreading tuberculosis. The research highlights the need for targeted TB control strategies to address the growing burden of latent TB infection in this population.
Researchers propose integrating TB prevention and treatment into HIV care to address the major cause of mortality among HIV patients. The authors recommend intensified TB case finding, preventive isoniazid therapy for non-TB infected HIV patients, and earlier provision of antiretroviral therapy.
Researchers from KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme assess rotavirus diarrhoea in young children, finding over 2% hospital admissions. Meanwhile, PLOS Medicine article discusses evidence-based TB diagnosis, citing the importance of strong evidence backing expenditure on diagnostics.
A study by David Stuckler and colleagues found that International Monetary Fund loans were associated with a 16.6% rise in death rates from tuberculosis (TB) in the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern European countries between 1992 and 2002.
A systematic review of 13 observational studies found that diabetes mellitus increases the risk of active tuberculosis by about a factor of three, suggesting a possible role in over 10% of TB cases in India and China.
Six-thousand year old Jericho bones excavated by Dr. Kathleen Kenyon will be tested for tuberculosis, leprosy, and malaria to better understand disease development and transmission.