Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
The new guidelines recommend directly observed therapy for patients with TB to improve treatment completion rates. Four regimens are recommended for treating patients with drug-susceptible organisms, with an initial phase of 2 months followed by a continuation period of 4 to 7 months.
Two new studies report associations between prenatal exposure to maternal smoking and early-onset asthma with deficits in children's lung function. In the first study, a two-month rifampin/pyrazinamide regimen was found to be effective in treating latent TB in high-risk, non-adherent groups, but with potential liver toxicity risks.
Scientists have discovered a possible acceleration of type 1 diabetes in proinsulin 2-deficient non-obese diabetic mice, while promoting lymphangiogenesis as a potential treatment for lymphedema. Additionally, researchers found that CD44 is involved in the binding and uptake of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, suggesting its role in tubercu...
Researchers have identified 48 genes involved in tuberculosis latency, revealing a genetic program that contributes to the bacteria's persistence. The study also highlights the delicate balance between latency and virulence, with reactivation triggered by changes in oxygen levels and nitric oxide levels.
Researchers are uncovering key genes and their interactions in diseases such as Down's Syndrome, autism, and tuberculosis. The goal is to identify markers for disorders like autism that could be detected by blood tests, and develop new treatments like drugs targeting gene adaptation mechanisms.
Research on montelukast treatment for reactive airway disease in infants with RSV bronchiolitis shows increased symptom-free days and nights, while study on exercise capacity in COPD patients reveals it as the best predictor of mortality.
A community-based care model has been shown to be effective in treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in resource-poor nations. The study found that 83% of patients who completed at least four months of therapy had probable cures, exceeding the best reported U.S. cure rate.
Researchers studied the health and economic implications of screening and treating new immigrants from developing nations for latent tuberculosis infection. They found that implementing this practice could avoid up to nine thousand future active tuberculosis cases and save $60 to $90 million per year in healthcare costs.
A large-scale clinical trial found that patients treated with the two-drug regimen had a much higher rate of major liver injury compared to those taking isoniazid. The study confirms CDC recommendations for frequent monitoring of patients, highlighting the importance of laboratory testing to detect early liver injury.
A U.S.-Russian team has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis, with a new compound showing marked decreases in lung presence and symptoms. The SciClone Pharmaceuticals-Verta project is a milestone for scientific collaboration between U.S. industry and former Soviet researchers.
A mathematical model supports the use of drug cycling as a tool to control TB resistance, particularly in regions with increased mobility. The EU is identified as an example where this approach could be applied to address global health concerns.
A study by Dr. Steven L. Batki found that methadone treatment significantly improved the completion of TB therapy in opioid-dependent patients with latent TB infection. Patients receiving standard or minimal methadone treatment had higher completion rates compared to those receiving routine care.
Researchers found significant effects of air pollution on children's lung function growth rates, with acid vapor showing the most consistent effect. A separate study found no association between antibiotic use in early life and asthma development at age 5.
The WHO's annual report on global TB control reveals a persistent gap in detection rates, with expanded DOTs and cash injections needed to reach targets. Sex disparities also emerge as a significant issue, with women being infected at a higher rate than men, highlighting the need for tailored research and policies.
Researchers found that treating latent tuberculosis infections in non-U.S.-born residents may help decrease active disease cases. A new treatment regimen with shorter duration and fewer doses could improve compliance, but targeting only US-born populations is insufficient to solve the problem.
Two new studies found a relationship between high cat allergen concentrations in the home and increased asthma symptoms among sensitized women. Researchers also discovered common delays in TB diagnosis and treatment, as well as abnormal pulmonary function linked to bacterial infection in cystic fibrosis patients.
A new study by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has identified gamma delta T cells as a crucial component of the immune response to tuberculosis infection. The study found that these white blood cells can develop memory and rapidly respond to infection, blurring the lines between innate and acquired immunity.
Researchers found men had a higher incidence of bacterial pneumonia, with complex cases and higher mortality rates compared to women. The burden of CAP is expected to increase substantially as the elderly population grows, with projected 750,000 cases in 2010 and 1 million by 2020.
A study in Orel, Russia, has found a significant increase in tuberculosis cases linked to growing HIV infections. The authors call for better surveillance and public health measures to prevent further spread.
Researchers describe a new cause of respiratory failure in newborns and report a virulent Beijing strain causing a 'microepidemic' of TB on Gran Canaria Island. Exercise-induced oxidative stress may exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to studies published in the American Thoracic Society Journal.
A recent trial found that WHO short-course chemotherapy was as effective as traditional Russian treatments in curing patients with tuberculosis. However, the results highlight the challenges of implementing changes in a healthcare system with entrenched cultural and structural barriers.
A study found that miniature chest radiography is the most effective way to detect active tuberculosis in jails due to its efficiency and low radiation dose. This method can identify 200 cases per 100,000 inmates or higher, significantly higher than the general U.S. population rate of 6.8 cases per 100,000 persons.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered how Mycobacterium tuberculosis evades detection by the human immune system. The TB bacterium inhibits MHC-II molecules in macrophages to prevent recognition and eliminate it from detection.
A study by Gladstone researchers has identified a specific gene that contributes to the development of tuberculosis. The discovery highlights the importance of recruiting immune cells in controlling the disease, and raises concerns about the potential risks of CCR2 drugs.
Researchers developed a rapid ELISPOT assay to detect T cells responding to ESAT-6 protein, which is absent in BCG vaccine strains. The new test shows stronger correlation with exposure intensity than existing tuberculin skin test (TST), providing potential for improved tuberculosis control and targeted preventative therapy.
The American Thoracic Society recommends enhanced contact investigation to identify additional close contacts of active TB patients. Researchers also found that eliminating occupational exposure can prevent adult-onset asthma. Furthermore, children exposed to maternal smoking in utero show significant lung function deficits.
Researchers have identified compounds in noni plants that can kill the bacterium causing tuberculosis, offering a potential alternative to existing treatments. The finding could lead to cheaper and more effective medications for this growing global health threat.
The Sequella Global Tuberculosis Foundation has awarded $500,000 in grants to nine researchers working on innovative tuberculosis vaccines. The grants will fund projects using novel adjuvants, delivery mechanisms, and immunological approaches.
Richard S. Kornbluth, a UCSD professor, has received a grant to study a novel method for stimulating the immune system against TB microbes. His research aims to treat latent TB, preventing it from becoming deadly.
Healthcare personnel working in poorly ventilated general hospital rooms were at risk for sero-conversion of tuberculosis. Improving ventilation to at least two air exchanges per hour can help prevent this risk. Additionally, a program using an educational videotape and brochure increased colon cancer screening rates among patients.
A study analyzing Ontario data found that immigration officials' referrals and region of origin are key determinants of tuberculosis risk. Immigrants from Vietnam had the highest incidence rate, emphasizing the importance of targeted prevention efforts to protect both migrant populations and native Canadians.
The NIAID Challenge Grants program will award $19 million to eight companies to develop new drugs and vaccines against deadly infectious diseases. Researchers will work on developing a pediatric indication for tafenoquine to prevent malaria in adults, as well as studying azithromycin for treating malaria.
The Sequella Global Tuberculosis Foundation invites researchers worldwide to apply for $50,000 grants to develop effective vaccines for human tuberculosis. The program aims to spur innovation and encourage new approaches to vaccine development.
Researchers discovered an enzyme called isocitrate lyase (ICL) that allows TB bacteria to persist in macrophages and evade immune attack. A drug targeting ICL may reduce treatment time for chronic infection. The enzyme's crystal structure has been determined, providing clues for designing drugs to attack persistent TB bacteria.
A consortium of researchers found that isocitrate lyase (ICL) enables the tuberculosis bacterium to use fatty acids as energy. Disabling ICL crippled the bacterium in its persistent phase, suggesting a potential target for TB therapies. Current treatments are often ineffective due to the bug's ability to persist in the body.
Researchers found 46% of Peruvian plant extracts inhibited Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the TB bacterium. This discovery could lead to developing new pharmaceuticals to combat the disease.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Human Genetics has found a major genetic component to TB susceptibility, specifically in a group of aboriginal Canadians. Individuals with at least one high-risk copy of the NRAMP1 gene are ten times more likely to develop TB than those without it.
The Blueprint for TB Vaccine Development identifies the TB crisis as a global health priority and encourages an international collaborative effort to develop a vaccine. The report details three different vaccine concepts currently being developed: live, attenuated vaccines; subunit vaccines; and naked DNA vaccines.
A new TB drug candidate, PA-824, has been shown to be effective against MDR strains of the bacteria. The compound, developed by PathoGenesis Corporation with assistance from NIAID's Laboratory of Host Defenses, works by preventing MTB from forming an important fatty acid component of its cell walls.
Susan Okie, a medical reporter at The Washington Post, has won the 2000 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Public Communications Award. Her two-part series on tuberculosis highlights the challenges of controlling this deadly disease and emphasizes the need for new medicines and vaccines to eradicate it.
Researchers have created a mutant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that fails to establish a lethal chronic infection in mice. Targeting the pcaA gene, which codes for an enzyme essential for virulence, may lead to breakthroughs in TB treatment.
Researchers found that treated sleep apnea patients experienced no auto accidents over two years. A new biochemical marker for acute lung injury has been discovered, correlating with damage to epithelial cells in the lungs. This discovery may lead to future blood tests for the deadly condition.
A new rapid and reliable method for detecting tuberculosis has been developed, using the microscopic observation broth-drug susceptibility assay (MODS). The test is inexpensive and sensitive enough to be used in the field by health officers in developing countries.
The Tuberculosis Research Unit at CWRU will work with seven basic science sites and three clinical sites to evaluate new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tests. The unit aims to alleviate the burden of TB, which affects 1.7 billion people worldwide.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine reported a groundbreaking case of tuberculosis transmission from a cadaver to an embalmer, revealing the first documented instance of such a transmission. The study emphasizes the need for updated guidelines and precautions to prevent similar incidents in funeral homes.
Two groups of researchers at Colorado State University will receive funding to develop new drugs against tuberculosis, a leading bacterial killer causing 10 million new cases annually. The research teams will collaborate with pharmaceutical companies and use advanced testing infrastructure to identify potential anti-TB compounds.
Researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute identified a crucial lipid molecule produced by M. tuberculosis to infect lung tissue. The discovery could lead to improved vaccines and treatments for tuberculosis, which kills more people than AIDS or malaria.
The report highlights the rapid spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) to Western Europe and North America, reaching unprecedented levels in over 100 countries. Immediate implementation of the World Health Organization's DOTS program and new resources are urgently needed to combat the growing epidemic.
A study found that TB was transmitted among inmates and guards in a city jail, highlighting the need for aggressive TB detection and treatment. Meanwhile, a qualitative study identified five components of successful work with victims of domestic violence and emphasized the importance of 'compassionate asking' to address this complex so...
Researchers at UCSF have discovered how Mycobacterium tuberculosis outsmarts the immune system to cause disease. The microbe disrupts a protein called STAT1, blocking macrophages' ability to respond to interferon gamma, allowing it to survive and infect other cells.
Researchers have identified 15 M. tuberculosis genes expressed only when the bacteria are growing in macrophages, key disease-fighting cells. These genes play important roles in pathogen metabolism, propagation and self-protection, potentially leading to new drug targets or vaccines.
Researchers have identified a substance produced by the tuberculosis bacterium that triggers an immune response, suggesting it could enhance vaccine effectiveness. The substance, combined with vaccines, may push the body's immune system in the right direction to fight tuberculosis and other microbial infections.
A new study by UCSF researchers found a significant decline in TB rates in San Francisco from 1992 to 1997, attributing it to intensified control measures. The study used molecular epidemiology to track the disease and determine the effect of interventions on transmission rates.
A new report by Johns Hopkins Medicine highlights the inadequate tuberculosis control programs in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV infection rates are high. The report recommends improved screening, treatment, and integration of TB and HIV care to reduce transmission.
A new study suggests that crowded urban buses in Buenos Aires could be responsible for 30% of new tuberculosis cases. Researchers found that bus travel increases the risk of infection due to overcrowding and poor ventilation, posing a significant public health threat.
Researchers developed a code using first two letters of last name, first name, month of birth, year of birth, and sex. This allowed them to identify 124 HMO members with active TB listed in the state's registry but not known by their HMO
The development of a new vaccine is crucial to effectively eliminate tuberculosis (TB) as a global health problem. The ideal vaccine should prevent new infection, protect those already infected from developing active disease, and prevent reinfection in previously infected individuals.
Scientists have identified KasA, a critical protein in bacterial growth, as the target of isoniazid. This discovery enables the development of new anti-TB drugs and fast-screening assays to combat antibiotic-resistant strains.
Scientists have developed a new TB vaccine candidate that uses recombinant BCG strains to secrete pore-forming listeriolysin, improving its ability to stimulate CD8 T cells. This could lead to better protection against M. tuberculosis infection and potentially halve the estimated 2050 global TB cases.
A simplified regimen of twice-weekly isoniazid preventive therapy for six months or rifampicin and pyrazinamide for two months was found to be effective in preventing active tuberculosis in HIV-infected individuals. Higher compliance with treatment was observed among those who received the shorter course of treatment.