Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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.
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.
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.
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.
A third of the world's population is infected with M. tuberculosis, and two million people die from tuberculosis every year. New, improved vaccines or vaccination strategies are urgently needed to reduce the immense burden of this disease.
MDR-TB experts recommend new tools for testing, clinical trials of simplified treatments, and improved diagnosis strategies to overcome barriers. Pilot projects show promising results in low-income settings with treatment success rates of 59-83%.
Researchers have identified a new target for TB treatment, solving a long-standing puzzle about bacterial cell wall production. The discovery reveals molecules that could be developed into drugs to treat tuberculosis, particularly for multi-drug resistant strains.
Researchers found that if the first two TB patients are diagnosed within three months of each other, especially in urban areas with sub-Saharan African origin, there's a 56% chance of an outbreak. This information can help focus public health resources more efficiently.
Researchers Francesco Checchi and Les Roberts argue that an independent body is needed to accurately document death rates during humanitarian emergencies. Such a body could provide a basis for both humanitarian advocacy and political advocacy, and could help prevent the DRC experience from being repeated.
Researchers discovered that TB bacteria can form biofilms on surfaces, leading to genetic and physiological differences from lab-grown strains. This finding suggests a possible cause of TB relapses despite intensive treatment.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces frequent stock interruptions of essential drugs for managing non-communicable diseases. Implementing standardized approaches to NCD management, as seen in TB control, can improve patient care and outcomes. A five-point framework called DOTS provides lessons for NCD control.
Researchers suggest that increasing white blood cell count or enhancing infected cells' interaction with the immune system could be effective strategies for developing vaccines or treatments specifically for elderly TB patients. Aging affects the immune response, leading to a slower and less effective fight against the infection.
A growing number of 'pseudoepidemics' of false-positives for TB are occurring in the US Army due to universal testing with an inaccurate TST. The problem is most prevalent in regions with high TB rates, such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
A survey of infectious diseases physicians found that patients taking immune-modulating therapies are at risk for nontuberculosis mycobacterial infections, histoplasmosis, and invasive S. aureus infections. Clinicians should be vigilant for these infections, particularly in patients with underlying lung disease.
A new TB treatment using Rifampin for four months is more effective than the current nine-month standard, saving healthcare systems $10,000 per patient. This shorter treatment also leads to better compliance rates and lower costs.
A new analysis of REMICADE for ulcerative colitis found that over 60% of patients achieved clinical response at week 8, with significant improvements maintained at week 30. The study also reported significant improvements in disease remission and mucosal healing.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered how tuberculosis bacteria hide and multiply in human bodies. By identifying a key protein involved in this process, they are working towards therapies that can block its activity, leading to a more effective treatment for TB.
A new study from researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that carbon monoxide in air pollution and tobacco smoke triggers tuberculosis infection to shift into a dormant state. This dormant state is difficult to detect and treat, contributing to the spread of TB and its high mortality rate.
Researchers found that a portable anteroom HEPA filtration unit can effectively remove airborne microorganisms, including M. tuberculosis, from operating rooms. The study suggests that this unit can help prevent secondary transmission of airborne pathogens and improve patient and healthcare personnel safety.
Researchers have elucidated the mechanism of iron uptake system in M. tuberculosis, a promising target for intervention. The study reveals an exporter-importer system that exports siderophores and imports iron-bound forms, providing a crucial foothold to tame this deadly pathogen.
A study found that micronutrient supplementation reduced TB recurrence rates in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The study showed a 45% overall reduction and a 63% decrease for HIV-infected patients.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has outlined a research agenda to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis, a major public health concern. The agenda focuses on developing reliable diagnostics, testing new drugs, and understanding the biology of TB-causing bacteria.
Rachel L. Stricof, a leading expert in infection prevention, has been recognized with the prestigious Carole DeMille Achievement Award for her dedication to improving health and patient safety. With over 30 years of experience, she has established innovative reporting systems and collaborated with policymakers to reduce HAI rates.
Researchers have developed an assay to identify antibodies specific to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), distinguishing MAC-related pulmonary disease from tuberculosis in under eight hours. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
A new rapid diagnostic test can detect multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in high-burden settings like public health clinics more quickly and accurately than conventional methods. This improvement enables proper treatment to begin promptly, reducing the risk of transmission.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered that TB bacteria accumulate body fat to aid survival during transmission, increasing resistance to anti-TB drugs. This finding challenges established views on bacterial transmission and offers new insights into developing targeted treatments.
Researchers identified a genetic variant associated with severe tuberculosis (TB) in Vietnam, highlighting the importance of studying host-pathogen interactions. The study suggests that understanding genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases may lead to more targeted treatments and vaccines.
The University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research has received a $11.4 million grant to study tuberculosis using new imaging technologies. The goal is to develop more effective treatments that can be tailored to individual patients, potentially improving survival rates and curtailing the global TB epidemic.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered how TB bacteria becomes resistant to isoniazid, a key treatment for the disease. The study reveals that mutations in bacterial enzymes protect it from the treatment, highlighting the importance of understanding drug resistance.
A new aerosol version of the most common TB vaccine administered directly to the lungs via oral mist provides significantly better protection against TB in experimental animals. The vaccine could offer a safer, more consistent treatment option with reduced need for refrigerated storage.
A new blood test, ELISpot-Plus, in conjunction with a skin test, can rule out tuberculosis infection within 48 hours, providing a much quicker result than existing methods. This combination enables doctors to diagnose TB more accurately and begin investigating other possible explanations for patients' symptoms.
A new TB screening test based on ELISPOT test has shown high sensitivity and specificity in detecting latent TB infection in HIV-infected individuals. The test was compared to the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST) and found to be more sensitive, but its effectiveness in severely immunosuppressed individuals remains unclear.
A new guideline for treating dementia emphasizes the importance of individualized assessment and treatment based on a patient's specific medication regimen. Researchers also developed two new blood tests to diagnose latent tuberculosis, finding that one test is more sensitive than traditional methods.