Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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.
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.
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 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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at NIAID identified a specific protein involved in resistance to the TB drug PA-824. By pinpointing this protein, scientists can develop improved versions of PA-824 and accelerate TB drug development.
Researchers found that badgers in areas with culling had larger home ranges and travelled more widely, increasing their contact rates with cattle. This suggests that culling is ineffective in controlling cattle TB and highlights the importance of ecological research in policy-making.
A new report by UC Davis expert reveals that widespread culling of badgers disrupts their territorial organization and increases cattle TB infection. Culling localized areas has little effect, with badger numbers falling only slightly while TB incidence rises.
Widespread badger culling may reduce TB incidence, but could also lead to increased movement and transmission. Culling's impact on TB rates is mixed, with some areas experiencing increases despite population reductions.
A recent scientific study found that a specific gene variation on chromosome 17 is associated with an increased risk of developing active tuberculosis. The MCP-1 protein, which attracts immune cells to sites of infection, was found to play a crucial role in the early immune response to TB-causing bacteria.
The University of Pittsburgh has established an Immune Modeling Center to study immune responses to infectious diseases using mathematical modeling. The center will focus on understanding innate and adaptive immune responses to influenza A virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Francisella tularensis.
Researchers discovered that GroEL1 oversees production of fatty acids necessary for biofilm growth, which are absent in bacteria lacking the chaperone protein. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new ways to develop effective drugs to fight TB and other mycobacterial infections.
Researchers found that macrophages from TB patients have high levels of DC-SIGN, a protein that helps Mycobacterium tuberculosis infect lung cells. Infection with TB causes nearby uninfected cells to also express DC-SIGN, making them more susceptible to infection.
Researchers found that HAART can reduce the risk of tuberculosis in HIV patients, but not eliminate it. Patients who are immunodeficient or exposed to TB in a hospital setting are at increased risk of developing active TB.
A new study identifies genetic susceptibility as a significant risk factor for pulmonary fibrosis. The condition, which can be triggered by smoking and other factors, causes inflammation and scarring in the lungs. Researchers also explored a more accurate blood test to detect latent tuberculosis infection.
George Orwell's struggles with tuberculosis and possible infertility contributed to the dark tone of 1984, but also gave him a unique perspective on human suffering. His writing became more universal as he drew from his own experiences with illness.
Moxifloxacin could be the first new treatment for TB in over 40 years, shortening treatment period by nearly two months. Researchers aim to assess ability of antibiotic to cure disease more effectively and with better patient tolerance.
Researchers investigated risk factors for TB infection in 979 children from Istanbul, Turkey. They found that the absence of a BCG scar was a strong, independent risk factor for infection, while its presence reduced the risk by 24%. The study suggests that BCG vaccination also protects against TB infection, opening new avenues for deve...
A study suggests that the evolutionary history of tuberculosis is linked to historical patterns of human migration. The researchers found that the genetic signatures of over 300 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis reflect the dispersal and evolution of the pathogen according to human migration patterns, with a strong gender bias obse...
A three-year study found that people with knowledge of TB had better experiences with the disease, suggesting a need for community awareness efforts. Employing recovered patients, family members, and lay health communicators could help foster awareness and improve prevention.
The UN's Deputy Secretary General orders delay on measurement of life-saving goals, citing concerns over 'distracting' from desired results. This decision diverts attention from a key problem: concrete trends toward helping people in extreme poverty often lack verification.
A new study suggests that investing in tuberculosis control programs in high-incidence countries like Mexico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic can reduce TB cases and deaths in the US. The research predicts that $35 million in funding would result in net savings of $108 million over 20 years.
A K-State professor is researching a new strategy to treat tuberculosis by targeting the channel proteins called porins in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. His goal is to develop supramolecular model systems that can block these channels, permanently deactivating TB and allowing the human immune system to deal with it.
Researchers at Max Planck have developed a new vaccine that effectively protects against pulmonary tuberculosis, a major killer of adults worldwide. The genetically engineered BCG vaccine stimulates stronger protection by dendritic cells and offers protection against drug-resistant Beijing family isolates.
A new BCG vaccine strain protects against tuberculosis with high efficacy, while a novel TWEAK pathway induces liver cell proliferation in response to injury. These findings may lead to specific therapies for liver diseases and improved TB protection.
A new study in PLOS Pathogens suggests that Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its close relatives recently emerged from a much more ancient bacterial species, possibly as old as 3 million years. This discovery may have significant implications for improving diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Researchers engineer a BCG strain to secrete listeriolysin, enhancing T cell-mediated immunity. The new vaccine strain offers superior protection against tuberculosis, including the highly drug-resistant Beijing/W family.
Researchers at McGill University have identified a gene, NRAMP1, that controls the speed of tuberculosis development. The study found that variants of this gene affect the time frame between initial infection and disease progression.
A recent survey in Botswana has found a significant increase in drug-resistant tuberculosis, with 10% of new patients showing resistance to at least one anti-TB drug. The study suggests that enhanced interventions are needed to contain the burden of tuberculosis in Botswana and prevent further drug resistance.
A Dartmouth study found that traditional TB screening methods can miss active tuberculosis cases in HIV-positive individuals in developing countries. The study recommends using more sensitive and accurate TB culture tests, such as the one used in Tanzania.
A study found that disease reinfection rates for TB were four times higher than new cases in South Africa. Additionally, researchers discovered that low-dose spiral computer-based tomography (CT) screening can lead to an early diagnosis of lung cancer in a high proportion of cases.
A promising new TB drug, PA-824, has entered human clinical trials, showing activity against both actively dividing and slow-growing M. tb stages. The drug may significantly reduce the time needed to cure TB, offering hope for shorter treatment regimens.
The study found that global new TB cases increased by 1% in 2003, but detection rates improved to 45% by 2003, reaching 60% by 2005. Treatment success rates were over 80% since 1998, with variation among regions.
A blood-based TB test, QuantiFERON-TB-Gold, has been shown to match the results of the traditional tuberculin skin test among Indian healthcare workers. The study found a high level of agreement between the two tests, with only minor impact from previous TB vaccination.
California continues to experience cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which requires prolonged treatment and poses significant public health risks. The majority of MDR-TB cases are foreign-born, highlighting the need for international TB control measures.
A study of 546 patients found that chest x-rays are not effective in determining when tuberculosis (TB) was acquired. The researchers discovered that the most significant independent predictor of radiographic appearance is HIV status, indicating altered immunity rather than recent infection.