Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
The Lancet has teamed up with PRODUCT RED to produce a (RED) issue devoted to HIV/AIDS, contributing $30,000 to the cause. The initiative aims to convince companies to develop RED products and donate profits to the Global Fund.
Researchers found that poorer countries with less-developed health systems are more likely to implement health grants effectively, contrary to expectations of low absorptive capacity. This is attributed to increased political stability and attention paid to resources in these nations.
A study found that TB patients underweight at diagnosis who gain less than 5% weight during the first two months of treatment have a significantly increased risk of disease relapse. This association holds even among those with abnormal chest x-rays and positive sputum cultures after 2 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment.
A new study suggests that shorter TB treatment courses of just 2 months could reduce new cases and deaths by 13% and 19% respectively. This would free up resources to improve detection efforts and potentially lead to greater impact on TB control. Implementing such treatments earlier than planned in 2012 could yield even more benefits.
A new study found that shorter tuberculosis therapies could produce dramatic benefits at the population level by reducing transmission and improving patient outcomes. The research suggests that a two-month regimen could double or triple current rates of decline in new cases and deaths, leading to total reductions of up to 40%.
Global Plan to Stop TB 2006-2015 aims to increase joint TB/HIV programs, benefiting 3 million co-infected with antiretrovirals. Tuberculosis is a leading killer of people living with HIV, and collaboration between communities and governments is crucial to access effective interventions.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel technique to insert genes into the P. falciparum genome, providing valuable information about its virulence and resistance to antimalarial drugs. This breakthrough should significantly speed up research efforts to bring malaria under control.
A $2.8M NIH grant enables researchers to explore a harmless bacteriophage, nicknamed the 'Bronx Bomber,' that disrupts the biofilm coating of Mycobacterium smegmatis, potentially leading to more effective TB treatments.
Researchers used modeling to predict cost-effectiveness of treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Peru. Individualized treatment was found to be the most cost-effective approach, despite increased costs.
Researchers have identified three variations of a human gene, SP110, associated with tuberculosis susceptibility. The variants were found to be linked to increased risk of developing the active disease in humans, building on previous research that linked a similar gene, Ipr1, in mice.
Researchers investigate the effects of hypoglycemia on insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes and discover a potential solution using urocortin I. Urocortin I suppresses the counterregulatory response to low blood sugar, impairing glucose-sensing neurons in the brain.
Researchers have discovered a promising drug target, LipB, essential for M. tuberculosis survival and replication. The protein's structure has revealed its activity in activating cellular machines driving the bacterium's metabolism.
A new analysis of ACT trials found that UC patients in clinical remission had significantly higher rates of employment compared to those not in remission. Patients treated with REMICADE experienced a greater percentage of being employed at weeks 30 and 54, with 20.6% vs 8.3% for non-remitted patients.
The NIH grant aims to reduce TB treatment time from 6-9 months to just a few weeks by identifying specific drug targets and developing new medicines. Researchers will use protein crystallography and grid virtual screening to accelerate the drug development process.
Researchers found that blood tests T-SPOT.TB and QuantiFERON-TB Gold show good diagnostic agreement with the skin test, but have higher specificity. This suggests they could increase diagnostic sensitivity in testing for latent TB infection. However, results differ between blood tests, especially in immunosuppressed patients and young ...
A mathematical model reveals that implementing isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) in co-infected individuals may increase the transmission of drug-resistant TB. Large-scale IPT programs need to be equipped to diagnose and treat resistant cases as part of their strategy.
The BCG vaccine is highly cost-effective in preventing severe childhood tuberculosis, with an estimated cost of US$200 per year of healthy life gained. The largest impact was found in southeast Asia, Africa, and the western Pacific region, where TB infection rates and BCG coverage are highest.
Researchers at Einstein College of Medicine have discovered two new compounds, 2-HA and 2-OA, that are more potent than isoniazid in killing bacteria. These compounds inhibit multiple biochemical pathways essential for bacterial survival, offering a promising alternative to current treatments.
Researchers develop molecular test to detect M. bovis in badger setts and latrines, revealing high prevalence rates and correlations with infectious status. The study's findings support non-blanket culling of badgers and propose targeted cull strategies using the new tool.
TB researchers hope to find novel ways of killing the organism using a protective protein called heme oxygenase 1. The project aims to pinpoint the role of alcoholism in the global epidemic by studying HIV- and tuberculosis-infected patients in India.
The World Health Organization has launched a new stop TB strategy, which builds on the current DOTS control strategy and includes six components to address TB, HIV co-infections, and multi-drug resistant TB. The strategy aims to help achieve the 2015 Partnership's targets and eliminate TB by 2015.
A randomized trial in Nepal found that community-DOTS and family member DOTS were effective in meeting international TB control targets. The study suggests that these strategies can be used in other challenging regions where direct observation by health workers is not feasible.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how Mycobacterium tuberculosis survives within immune cells, revealing a sophisticated protein-cleaning mechanism that could be targeted by new anti-TB drugs. This discovery may lead to effective treatments for TB and potentially eradicate the disease from infected individuals.
Two Phase 3 studies demonstrate high-level, sustained response to REMICADE maintenance therapy, achieving long-term clinical response in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Patients receiving scheduled REMICADE treatment showed rapid and marked improvement in psoriasis symptoms.
The COMDIS programme aims to improve healthcare quality and coverage for the poor and vulnerable by developing practical and affordable interventions. Effective healthcare systems are crucial in preventing the spread of disease, and the project focuses on addressing bottlenecks and operational constraints to achieve this goal.
The worldwide state of tuberculosis epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment is examined through research results published in 2005. TB remains a top cause of HIV-related mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, with high incidence rates among gold miners and those with recent M. tuberculosis infection.
Research reveals a novel pathway involving vitamin D that helps human macrophages kill TB bacilli, explaining why people of African descent are more vulnerable to the disease. Vitamin D levels vary significantly among populations due to melanin's impact on UV light absorption.
A new experimental TB drug, FAS20013, has demonstrated effective treatment against both resistant and latent mycobacterium tuberculosis. The compound's potent killing activity targets slow-growing mycobacteria without enhancing resistance, offering a potential breakthrough in treating MDR-TB with up to 80% fatality rate.
Researchers have discovered four genes in tuberculosis bacteria that enable it to capture iron from the environment, a crucial step in its survival. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs by targeting these genes.