Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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Researchers found a 500,000-year-old human fossil in Turkey with evidence of Leptomeningitis tuberculosa, a form of brain tuberculosis. The discovery suggests that dark-skinned people migrating from low latitudes may be more vulnerable to the disease due to vitamin D deficiency.
Researchers sequence genomes of multi-drug resistant and drug-sensitive TB isolates, revealing few genetic differences that contribute to drug resistance. The findings shed light on the genetic factors driving TB drug resistance and lay the groundwork for a rapid diagnostic test.
TB drug resistance is a growing concern, with millions of cases worldwide each year. Doctors Without Borders advocates for increased funding and collaboration to develop new treatments.
Researchers in Norway analyzed TB cases between 1993 and 2005, finding little evidence of spread among native-born citizens. Instead, immigrants brought more strains, while native infections decreased, suggesting immigration does not significantly contribute to TB transmission.
Researchers found that a combination of infection control measures, including masks, reduced hospitalization time, and improved ventilation, could prevent nearly half of new XDR tuberculosis cases. The study's findings highlight the need for immediate action to address the growing epidemic in South Africa.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in various medical fields. A new tattooing procedure has improved the precision of VATS, while collaborative efforts have accelerated antibiotic timing. Modified Tai Chi exercises may also help patients with COPD, while human fibrin sealant shows promise for lung resection surgery.
A new TB drug, SQ109, has been given special status by the US and European regulators for its potential to combat drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. The orphan designation will accelerate clinical testing of the drug, which may lead to simpler and more effective treatment regimens for the disease.
A study found that a strain of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa developed resistance to multiple drugs due to inadequate drug susceptibility testing. The authors emphasize the need for increased use of drug resistance surveillance programs to prevent further development of XDR TB.
SQ109 shows excellent in vitro and in vivo activity against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB bacteria. The treatment also synergizes with other TB drugs in experimental animal models, offering new combinations with greater activity than current standard care.
The WHO EURO region's Ministerial Forum on tuberculosis must consider the global impact of the disease and take collective action to control poverty and inequality. The authors propose a six-pronged approach to tackle the threat, including addressing trade policies and global poverty.
Researchers developed a computational model to predict TB reactivation causes and developed a TNF-modulating agent to balance inflammation reduction with infection resistance. Modifying anti-TNF treatment dosages and timing or using TB antibiotics before treatment can also prevent reactivation, according to the study.
Researchers are developing a portable mass spectrometer to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) with greater sensitivity than smear microscopy. The device could automate the process, making it more widely available in resource-poor settings where TB kills two million people annually.
Dr. Gumbo's award aims to develop a treatment regimen based on blocking the mechanisms that tuberculosis bacteria use to avoid being killed by antibiotics, potentially reducing treatment time from months to weeks.
A new antibiotic combination could dramatically shorten TB treatment time from six months to four months, with a cure rate increasing by 17 percent after two months of therapy. Researchers say the shorter treatment period may also reduce transmission and improve drug compliance.
A study by University of Alberta researchers suggests that all children adopted from outside North America should be screened for tuberculosis. The study found that 40% of foreign-born children under five years old with TB in Canada were international adoptees, highlighting the importance of systematic screening.
A decision aid for patients with diabetes was developed by Victor Montori and colleagues, enabling them to make informed choices about statin use. The tool created a conversation about medications, allowing patients to weigh the benefits and risks of statins.
The new vaccine uses a virulent M. tuberculosis strain with genes knocked out to prevent apoptosis of mammalian cells, eliciting a strong and long-lasting T-cell response. This approach demonstrates superior protection compared to the standard BCG vaccine in animal models.
Researchers have discovered a new vaccine strategy that effectively protects mice and guinea pigs from tuberculosis, targeting immune cells known as CD8+ T cells. The study suggests a potential breakthrough in developing a more effective vaccine for all individuals, including adolescents and adults.
A study of US medical residents found that nearly half of them incorrectly answered questions about diagnosing and managing tuberculosis (TB). The residents showed particular difficulty in answering questions related to latent TB, the progression from latent to active disease, and interpreting diagnostic tests for patients with active TB.
Researchers developed a new vaccine strategy that uses a protein-free M. Tuberculosis strain to activate immune cells, providing increased protection against TB. A study found that vaccination with this strain provided better protection than the existing BCG vaccine.
A survey of 131 medical residents found that they scored poorly in diagnosing and managing tuberculosis, with a median score of just 55 percent. Despite this, most residents understood the main facts about how the disease is transmitted, highlighting the need for improved training in outpatient settings.
A genetically altered strain of tuberculosis has been developed that elicits a stronger immune response than the current vaccine, improving survival of infected animals. The new vaccine may help replace BCG, which is largely ineffective, and could lead to significant reductions in TB-related mortality.
Clinical trials are underway for a new TB vaccine developed by Dr Helen McShane, which could lead to significant improvements in TB control and treatment. The vaccine has shown promising results in boosting the immune response against TB and has the potential to prevent severe forms of the disease.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that TB patients often take their medications under difficult conditions, highlighting the need for support systems tailored to their needs. Patient involvement in decision-making is crucial to improve treatment adherence and reduce the global disease burden of tuberculosis.
Researchers found that adherence to TB treatment is influenced by structural factors such as poverty and gender discrimination, highlighting the need for tailored support systems. A separate study on ventilatory control reveals evidence of central plasticity in humans, providing insight into the complexities of human physiology.
A new study by UCSF researchers suggests that pre-kindergarten tuberculosis skin testing is not a cost-effective way to spend healthcare dollars. The test would only be beneficial if at least 7% of children tested positive, which is now less than 1%. Instead, finding and treating adults with TB would be a more effective approach.
Two studies published in JCI uncover regulators of squamous cell carcinoma development, highlighting the critical role of p53 tumor suppressor gene mutations and chemokine receptor D6. The findings suggest that certain p53 mutations accelerate SCC progression and that inflammation sensitizes skin cells to tumor formation.
A study of over 42,000 individuals aged 65 and older in Hong Kong found that obese or overweight participants had a significantly lower risk of developing active tuberculosis compared to those at a normal weight. The researchers suggest that obesity may be associated with a lower risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly population.
A new study by Professor David Holtgrave in PLOS Medicine suggests that targeting HIV counseling and testing towards high-risk individuals is more effective than offering opt-out testing to everyone. The study found that this approach could prevent up to 36% of new HIV infections, while also improving diabetes care for ethnic minorities.
A study published in The Lancet found that sputum-submission guidance increases positive tests for tuberculosis in women by 63%, making it a promising intervention to improve case detection. The guidance aims to address cultural and knowledge barriers, resulting in higher quality samples and early morning returns.
The NIAID Research Agenda for Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) and Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) Tuberculosis (TB) identifies six critical areas for investigation, including new diagnostics, therapy, and vaccines. The agenda aims to close gaps in understanding MDR/XDR TB and improve clinical management, particularly for people with HIV/AIDS.
A new test for diagnosing TB has been developed, offering a quick and simple alternative to existing methods. The test involves taking three sputum samples from a patient over the course of one day, enabling the detection of traces of mycobacterium tuberculosis with high accuracy.
A retrospective study of 700 patients found that HIV-infected individuals had significantly higher TB relapse rates compared to those without the virus. The study also showed that shorter treatment regimens may lead to more frequent relapses in HIV-infected patients.
A study found that socially disadvantaged TB patients face complex needs and barriers to care, including poverty, homelessness, and lack of access to healthcare. Researchers emphasize the need for integrated social models of care to address these challenges and improve treatment outcomes.
A study found XDR-TB accounts for 8% of multi-drug-resistant cases in India, compared to 4% in the US. The disease leaves patients virtually untreatable with currently available anti-TB drugs, with a high mortality rate of 42%.
Two CDC studies will be presented at ATS 2007 on TB epidemiology, focusing on foreign-born persons and African Americans in the southeastern US. The studies aim to improve outreach and control efforts, targeting enhanced prevention and control among high-risk populations.
A single dose of vitamin D can enhance immunity to mycobacteria, the bacteria that cause TB. The supplement is cheap and effective, with a potential impact on preventing reactivation of latent TB.
Researchers will investigate the immune response to TB, developing new vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. The study aims to understand how the infection is transmitted and why some people develop active disease.
Tuberculosis screening in UK areas with high migrant populations can significantly increase active and latent form diagnoses, as well as BCG vaccination rates. Detection rates for both forms of the disease were found to be higher in practices with screening programmes compared to control groups.
A cluster of six cases in central England suggests that human-to-human transmission can occur through social links and shared environments. Genetic fingerprinting identified the source case, which was linked to unpasteurized milk consumption, emphasizing the importance of disease prevention measures.
A randomized controlled trial in Senegal found that training health-care personnel, communication with patients, and considering local context improved treatment adherence by 20%. The action strategy also reduced defaulting rates by two-thirds. This approach aims to restrict disease spread and prevent resistant strains.
A key protein called Mal alerts the immune system to respond against invading bacteria, and research has found two variants that determine how the immune system responds. The findings suggest possible new treatments for malaria and TB, as well as insights into autoimmune diseases.
TB patients must take long-term therapy due to a correlation between bacterial burden and time to cure. Researchers suggest that non-replicating bacteria are not TB-specific and that understanding this phenomenon can lead to shorter treatment durations for recalcitrant bacterial infections.
Two new interferon-gamma blood test assays detected latent tuberculosis infection in supermarket customers who had been exposed to a contagious employee, but traditional tuberculin skin tests did not. The blood tests showed a better correlation with exposure than TSTs.
Scientists have discovered that anti-fungal drugs can kill the TB bacteria, potentially effective against emerging drug-resistant strains. The study found that chemicals called azoles target a specific enzyme in the TB bacterium, leading to its death.
The Emory Global Health Institute is collaborating with the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in India to combat the deadly HIV/TB co-infection. The partnership aims to develop a therapeutic vaccine for individuals already infected, addressing a major public health concern.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Pili (MTP), a virulence factor produced by tuberculosis bacteria during human infection. This finding suggests MTP could be a promising TB-vaccine candidate, addressing the need for more effective immunization strategies against this devastating disease.
A study found that natural ventilation through opening windows can reduce airborne disease transmission, including TB, in resource-poor settings. The researchers compared this to mechanically-ventilated rooms and found that natural ventilation provided higher rates of ventilation, reducing the risk of infection.
A meta-analysis of 24 studies found that smokers are 40-60% more likely to develop tuberculosis disease after infection, with a 73% increased risk of becoming infected. Smoking may also decrease immune response or damage airway cilia, increasing TB risk.
A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that smoking significantly increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection. Smokers have a 73% greater chance of becoming infected than non-smokers, and if infected, are 50% more likely to develop active TB disease.
A study suggests that the majority of drug-resistant TB cases among patients undergoing treatment are caused by new infections, not acquired resistance. This finding could drive a major shift in strategy for controlling TB.
Researchers at Harvard University have created a novel spraying method for delivering the most common tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, offering needle-free delivery and greater stability. This breakthrough could improve TB care and slow the spread of HIV/AIDS in developing countries.
A stable social structure in badgers can help control the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB), ecologists have found. The study found that movement of individuals between groups is instrumental in driving disease dynamics at the population level.
A novel spray drying method has been developed to preserve and deliver the most common tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, promising greater stability at room temperature and use in needle-free delivery. This technique could provide a better approach for vaccination against TB and help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in developing countries.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that 20% of Ethiopian patients with TB fail to complete treatment due to factors such as public transport costs and age. The researchers recommend expanding access to treatment centers to improve adherence rates.
A study by Queen Mary College researchers found nearly 40% of doctors in one Russian city had latent TB infection, with rates higher among those working in TB clinics. The study highlights the need for regular occupational health screening to control TB spread and address drug resistance issues.
A randomized controlled trial in Senegal shows that an intervention program with improved communication and community involvement significantly increased cure rates (88% vs 76%) and reduced default rates by nearly 60%. The program also decreased the time to defaulting from treatment.
A deadly, highly-contagious and drug-resistant mutant strain of tuberculosis is spreading rapidly in South Africa. The World Health Organization warns that the situation poses a potentially explosive international health crisis due to its contagious nature and the presence of millions of migrant laborers.
A team of medical ethics and public health experts argue that involuntary isolation measures are justified to contain the deadly XDR-TB strain in South Africa. The forced isolation of extensively drug-resistant TB and MDR-TB infected individuals may be a proportionate response given the extreme risk posed.
A systematic review found smokers have a higher risk of TB infection and disease compared to non-smokers. Indoor air pollution from tobacco smoke was also associated with an increased risk of TB infection, disease, and mortality.