Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
A modelling study predicts that COVID-19 could lead to a significant increase in HIV, TB, and malaria deaths in low- and middle-income countries. The study suggests that prioritizing antiretroviral therapy, timely diagnosis and treatment of TB, and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets could mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
A preliminary study suggests that the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, commonly administered to children in high-tuberculosis countries, may reduce mortality rates from COVID-19. The study found a correlation between higher BCG vaccination rates and lower peak mortality rates from COVID-19 in various countries.
UTEP research reveals a new target for tuberculosis drug development by investigating the mechanisms of Mtb pathogenesis and discovering that Nα-acetylation of EsxA drastically affects the course of infection. The study provides a beautiful story in the prestigious Journal of Biological Chemistry.
The global pandemic could significantly increase the global burden of tuberculosis due to disruptions to health services and delays in diagnosis and treatment. Researchers predict up to 110,000 additional TB deaths over five years, with 6,000 in China, 95,000 in India, and 13,000 in South Africa.
A recent study found that seven patient samples contained M. orygis, a subspecies not typically associated with human TB, indicating potential zoonotic transmission in India. The researchers suggest broadening the definition of zoonotic TB to include other MTBC subspecies capable of causing human disease.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that a 4-month rifampin regimen is cheaper and more effective than a 9-month course of isoniazid for treating latent tuberculosis. The treatment has the potential to change the way latent tuberculosis is treated, with significant cost savings for healthcare systems.
A study by universities of Bonn and Nijmegen found that BCG vaccination enhances immune response to multiple infections, including TB and Covid-19. The vaccine's effect is attributed to trained immunity, which allows innate immune cells to become more efficient independently of reinfection.
The tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis can survive for a longer period of time when combined with other bacteria in the air. This is because larger aerosol particles from mycobacterial clusters are produced together with components of dead cells, making them more viable in the air.
A new ancestral lineage of tuberculosis has been found in East Africa, with genome analyses suggesting a unique origin. The discovery reinforces the hypothesis of an East African origin for the disease and provides insights into its evolution.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that the iron chelator DFX supports lung immunity against tuberculosis by driving the activation of glycolysis, a key metabolic pathway. This process helps immune cells make energy to fight infection and improves macrophages' ability to address TB infection.
A five-year study has identified the mechanism behind the BCG vaccine's unexpected protection against diseases other than TB in newborns. The researchers found that BCG triggers a rapid increase in neutrophils, white blood cells that fight invading pathogens.
A new study confirms that ethambutol, a key TB drug, targets specific proteins in the bacteria. Researchers used cryogenic electron microscopy and x-ray imaging to show how the drug binds to and inactivates these proteins, producing crucial components of the TB cell wall.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism for Mycobacterium tuberculosis to import vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient for the pathogen's growth. The Rv1819c protein was found to be capable of importing B12 and transporting other molecules, making it an attractive target for developing anti-TB drugs.
A study found that UK healthcare policies restricting access for non-UK born patients may lead to delays in TB diagnosis and treatment. The median time to treatment increased by 20 days after the policy was introduced.
Researchers identified a protein responsible for transporting iron into bacteria that causes tuberculosis. Inhibiting this transport process could lead to new drug targets and novel treatments.
Scientists discovered a novel transport protein in TB bacteria that imports vitamin B12 and bleomycin with a large water-filled cavity. This non-selective transporter may be common in bacteria and human cells, offering new insights into tuberculosis physiology and potential treatment strategies.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have discovered a giant cavity in a protein that transports a wide range of molecules, including vitamin B12 and antibiotics, into the bacterial cell. The discovery could lead to new ways to treat tuberculosis, but further studies are needed to understand the protein's capabilities.
A study by Singapore researchers found that underweight diabetics have an eight-fold increase in risk of contracting active TB compared to obese individuals. The study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and targeted screening for this vulnerable population.
Researchers found that a key TB antibiotic can't irreversibly inhibit an enzyme, instead allowing it to function again through hydrolysis. This discovery could lead to the development of improved versions of the drug and new treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers discovered a protein called gamma subunit that controls fatty acid synthase function in mycobacteria, allowing for the inhibition of pathogen proliferation without affecting human cells. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic approaches against tuberculosis and provide insights into cancer treatment.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas identified a molecule that induces coughing in tuberculosis patients, providing a potential target for treatment and prevention. The discovery could help reduce the spread of TB, which kills over 1.3 million people worldwide annually.
Tuberculosis bacteria produce a molecule called sulfolipid-1 (SL-1) that triggers coughing in infected animals and human cells, facilitating the spread of disease. The findings could lead to new treatments to prevent tuberculosis transmission.
A family of porin-like proteins helps M. tuberculosis acquire essential nutrients while evading antibiotics and immune attacks. Researchers discovered the unique role of PE/PPE proteins in ferrying vital nutrients across the cell's waxy wall.
Research led by Andries Steyn found that Mtb bacteria induce increased hydrogen sulfide production in human macrophages, increasing pathogenesis and virulence. The study suggests that targeting hydrogen sulfide production may be useful for managing tuberculosis and other microbial infections.
Researchers developed a noninvasive imaging technique to monitor rifampin levels in TB patients. The dynamic 11C-rifampin PET/CT tool successfully tracked the movement of the tagged drug into lesions and cavities, revealing low penetration rates that can change over time.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have identified a potential link between new cancer treatments and tuberculosis. The study found that immune checkpoint inhibitors can lead to an excessive immune response, increasing the growth of bacteria that cause TB disease.
Recent advances in TB diagnostics, treatments and prevention offer hope for reducing and ultimately eliminating the burden of tuberculosis. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has made significant progress in improving TB diagnostics, therapeutic regimens and prevention approaches.
The ERA4TB project aims to develop comprehensive treatments against tuberculosis by adopting a parallel development pathway that allows for simultaneous research of multiple potentially effective molecules. This approach will significantly reduce the time taken developing new combined treatments needed to eradicate TB.
A new study maps TB immune responses in diverse models including genetically diverse mice and blood samples from adolescents with TB. The study reveals similarities and differences between human, mouse, and macaque responses, providing valuable insights for developing effective therapies.
Commonly used TB vaccines differ significantly in live bacteria content and cytokine responses, sparking concerns about their equivalence. The study highlights the need for a large-scale clinical trial to standardize BCG vaccine formulations.
Researchers discovered that a 'frameshift mutation' in TB bacteria's RpoB gene makes them resistant to rifampicin. The mutation suppresses the effect of the frameshift, allowing the bacteria to survive and thrive.
A blood test using eight gene signatures can predict the onset of tuberculosis three to six months before symptoms appear. This finding could help target antibiotics and save lives, particularly by identifying individuals at risk of developing TB disease after being infected with the bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Dundee are working on a new effort to tackle tuberculosis, identifying new treatment options for the disease. With a $3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, they aim to improve drug discovery and develop new candidate drugs to treat TB.
Researchers found that intravenous BCG vaccination significantly increased protection against TB in rhesus macaques. The study showed that IV BCG elicited strong, sustained T cell responses in the lungs, leading to a high degree of protection against infection and disease.
A new study found that delivering the TB vaccine intravenously dramatically improves its potency, offering nearly full protection against TB in monkeys. The vaccine was highly effective when administered via injection into a vein, reducing bacterial burden by 100,000-fold and inflammation in lungs to near zero.
A new animal model has successfully treated latent tuberculosis (TB) using a three-month course of antibiotics, showing almost complete sterilization of bacteria. This breakthrough could lead to shorter treatment regimens and improved prevention of reactivation.
A compound in green tea has been shown to inhibit the growth of tuberculosis-causing bacteria by disrupting energy production. The discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to combat multi-drug resistant TB.
Researchers have identified the source of nitrogen in host blood cells that enables TB to grow and spread. Preventing access to this nitrogen could halt the disease in humans.
The TB TRIAGE+ project aims to improve early access to diagnosis and treatment for tuberculosis patients in remote areas by assessing novel active case finding strategies. A large-scale cluster-randomized clinical trial will test automated chest x-ray analysis and blood marker triage tests, aiming to reduce diagnostic costs.
Diascopic LLC is developing an AI-powered diagnostic platform for detecting tuberculosis (TB) using digital pathology tools. The platform has shown promising results in five African clinical locations, securing $225,000 in Small Business Innovation Research funding from the National Institute of Health.
A University of Michigan AI solution, INDIGO, can predict how current drugs can be combined to create more effective tuberculosis treatments. The tool identified several strong combinations, including those with antipsychotics and antimalarials.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that only 17% of badgers disperse from their home territories, with females traveling long distances in search of new habitats. Understanding this behavior is crucial for implementing effective vaccination programs to limit TB transmission.
The American Thoracic Society has published a new clinical guideline for the treatment and prevention of drug-resistant tuberculosis, emphasizing the use of all-oral regimens. The guideline also recommends treatment for all contacts of MDR-TB patients and provides evidence-based guidance for pregnant women with MDR-TB.
Researchers at Colorado State University aim to create a new and improved TB vaccine, which has shown strong immune response in early-stage clinical trials. The project will include a multidisciplinary team of over 20 researchers and scientists to better understand the immune responses required for protection against TB.
Researchers discovered that enhancing RNA sensor activities can inhibit Mtb growth and increase production of interferon and IFITM3, key elements of the immune response against tuberculosis. A repurposed antiparasitic drug called nitazoxanide may complement traditional regimens by boosting host defenses.
Researchers discovered that itaconate, a compound produced by the immune system, tricks Mtb into using propionate as a growth source. This reaction produces a stable biradical that lingers for over an hour, enabling researchers to grow crystals of the enzyme and understand its mechanism.
A modified Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette et Guérin (BCG) vaccine, dubbed dBCG, has been shown to be safer and more effective than traditional BCG therapy for bladder cancer. The new approach involves injecting dBCG directly into bladder cancer tumors to reduce recurrence and progression of the disease.
A recent study uses whole-genome sequencing to understand the evolutionary history of an XDR-TB strain that emerged in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research identifies key factors contributing to its spread, including HIV coinfection and human migration, highlighting the importance of early detection and containment strategies.
Researchers from Penn-led study suggest that tuberculous infection is rarely life-long and that 90% of infected people will not develop active TB. The study found that immunological memory to the disease can outlast elimination of infection, making it difficult to detect those at risk.
A rapid triage test can distinguish active TB from similar diseases in adults, potentially helping to diagnose cases in vulnerable populations such as those with HIV. The ultra-sensitive immunoassay screens for four blood proteins and achieved sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 69%, respectively.
Researchers discovered a way to stop the process that allows TB bacillus to infect and hijack blood stem cells using an anti-arthritis drug, Tocilizumab. The study found that this transformation can be halted by administering the drug.
Researchers will study immune responses needed to prevent initial infection, establish latent infection, and transition to active TB, with a global footprint.
Researchers deciphered the molecular architecture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis nanomachines, shedding light on their role in fighting immune defense and bacterial survival. The findings provide a crucial basis for developing novel antibiotics targeting these systems.
Researchers at CNIO and the University of Würzburg have solved the 3D structure of the T7SS nanomachine used by Mycobacterium tuberculosis to evade the immune system. This finding provides crucial information for developing new therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis, a disease that kills over 1.6 million people worldwide each year.
A study by ZSL and Imperial College London found that badgers covered 61% more land each month after a population was culled. Surviving badgers visited 45% more fields and increased the odds of visiting neighboring territories, potentially increasing TB transmission risk to both cattle and other badgers.
A randomized controlled trial demonstrates Wirelessly Observed Therapy (WOT) superior to directly observed therapy (DOT) in boosting TB treatment adherence, with all patients cured and preferring WOT. The novel technology allows for private medication taking while preserving patient autonomy and enabling targeted treatment support.
A clinical trial found that isoniazid preventive therapy during pregnancy increases the risk of poor health outcomes and death for fetuses and newborns. In contrast, deferring treatment until after delivery was safer, with no significant difference in risks.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Institute are studying lung macrophages and their role in TB infection, with the goal of developing a new set of biological pathways critical to the body's response. The findings could lead to a new strategy for host-directed therapy and potentially cure TB.
The NIH has awarded contracts to establish three new centers for immunology research to accelerate progress in TB vaccine development. The program aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the immune responses required to prevent TB infection and disease.
Researchers discovered genetic regions linked to TB resistance in African buffalos, highlighting the complex interplay between host immune responses and disease spread. The study's findings suggest a trade-off between fitness and disease resistance, with potential implications for wildlife management.