Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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 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 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 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 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 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 systematic review and meta-analysis found consistent evidence that smoking is associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis. Passive smoking and indoor air pollution from biomass fuels were also linked to a higher TB risk.
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.
Current guidelines only target US-born residents for TB testing; new changes aim to address the burden of latent TB infection in foreign-born populations, particularly those from high-risk countries. Eliminating TB will require a comprehensive strategy involving varying approaches for immigrant populations.
A systematic review found that over half of health-care workers in low- and middle-income countries have latent TB. The disease rates among HCWs were substantially higher than those in the general population. Research is needed to determine if control measures that reduced transmission in high-income countries will work elsewhere.
Researchers found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis can hide in adipose cells, protecting it from the immune system and antibiotics, and may remain dormant for years. This discovery sheds light on possible strategies for fighting tuberculosis, highlighting the need for new targeted therapeutic weapons.
The global epidemic of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) may be larger than previously thought, with an estimated 424,000 cases worldwide in 2004. High levels of resistance were found in countries such as China, India, and Russia.
Researchers have improved understanding of a new malaria treatment using artesunate suppositories, which show potential as a first-line treatment for moderately severe malaria. However, patients vary in how well they process the drug, highlighting the need for further clinical studies.
Margaret Chan takes over as WHO Director-General on January 4, 2007, with a daunting task of prioritizing programs amidst widespread failures in malaria, tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS, child mortality, and maternal health. The Lancet Editorial highlights her need to create an operational team that commands confidence from member states.
A study by Yale researchers found that extensively drug resistant TB is prevalent among HIV co-infected patients in South Africa, with high mortality rates reported. The study suggests urgent intervention is necessary to address this global health issue, which threatens the success of TB and HIV treatment programs.
The American Thoracic Society has published a new statement on the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of liver damage caused by anti-tuberculosis medications. The document provides recommendations for identifying risk factors, recognizing symptoms and developing safe treatment programs.
Researchers found highly resistant strains of TB in a rural area of South Africa, associated with high death rates in HIV-infected patients. The study highlights the need for action to tackle the problem of resistant strains that could jeopardize tuberculosis control and mortality prevention.
The Lancet evaluates the five candidates vying for the Global Fund's top job, with Hilde Johnson and Michel Sidibe emerging as leaders. The Editorial highlights the importance of partnership, evaluation, and accelerated results in optimizing grant performance and mobilizing resources.
Patients treated with REMICADE experienced a significant reduction in hospitalizations, with a mean of 12 per 100 patients compared to 22 for placebo recipients. The treatment also showed benefits in reducing healthcare costs associated with hospitalization, outpatient care, and emergency room visits.
Research identifies receptor on host cells that triggers immune response to tuberculosis, which could enable novel vaccine development to boost immunity. The discovery also highlights the importance of targeting TB in HIV-infected patients, who are highly susceptible to the disease.
Researchers have developed a new, simple, and rapid tuberculosis (TB) test called microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility (MODS). The test takes an average of seven days to complete and is more sensitive, faster, and cheaper than current culture-based tests.
Two new blood tests, T-SPOT.TB and QuantiFERON-TB Gold, have improved the detection of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection. These tests offer more accurate results, faster turnaround times, and no return visits compared to traditional tuberculin skin tests.
A new study led by UC Davis expert Rosie Woodroffe found that killing wild badgers to prevent tuberculosis in cattle is unlikely to succeed. Badger culling disrupts territorial behavior, leading to increased disease transmission among badgers and from cattle to badgers.
A study found that directly observed therapy and physician experience positively influenced TB patient survival in Toronto over three years. Physician training and experience also played a significant role in managing TB cases effectively.
A new diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB) has been developed using a novel technique called SELDI-ToF, which identifies specific proteins in the blood. The test achieved high accuracy in detecting TB, with up to 78% sensitivity and specificity.
A promising new TB drug candidate, SQ109, has been cleared for Phase I clinical trials following a successful public-private partnership between NIAID and Sequella. Developed with extensive support from NIAID, SQ109 holds potential for treating the virtually untreatable disease XDR-TB.
Mexico's health system reform has led to significant improvements in healthcare access and outcomes, with notable reductions in malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and child mortality. The reforms have also increased the use of mammography and pap smear tests, benefiting millions of people.
The Lancet calls for greater transparency and accountability in the selection of a new Global Fund Executive Director. The current secretive process could undermine the organization's ability to improve global health, according to an Editorial published in The Lancet.
Researchers link cutaneous leishmaniasis cycles to temperature and El Niño Southern Oscillation patterns. The study predicts disease incidence up to 12 months in advance, offering insights into this emerging disease in the Americas.