Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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.
Researchers will study immune responses needed to prevent initial infection, establish latent infection, and transition to active TB, with a global footprint.
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 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.
Scientists have identified thousands of novel messenger proteins in human microbiomes, which could lead to new medicines. A new TB drug has been approved, offering hope for treatment-resistant forms of the disease.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Institute have discovered that lung-specific chronic immune activation is responsible for the progression of disease in HIV patients. This dysfunction leads to a constant production of cytokines and chemokines, dysregulating the body's ability to fight off other infections.
A Rutgers New Jersey Medical School study has found a genetically tractable cause of drug tolerant tuberculosis, paving the way for researchers to develop new drugs. The reversible mutations in the M.tuberculosis glpK gene produce a transient form of tolerance that disappears after treatment withdrawal.
A digital program created by MIT researchers in collaboration with Keheala helped 4% of tuberculosis patients complete their treatment, compared to 13% in a control group. The interactive platform used behavioral-science insights and daily messages to motivate patients and reduce nonadherence.
Researchers have developed a new type of vaccine targeting tuberculosis, providing substantial protection against the deadly disease. The early-stage vaccine was shown to be effective in pre-clinical laboratory settings and demonstrated its ability to stimulate the immune response in the lungs.
Tuberculosis cases among children and adolescents in the USA have almost halved within a decade, yet stark differences exist in incidence rates between different groups. Disparities persist despite successful overall burden reduction, with higher rates found in indigenous populations, US islands, and children born outside the USA.
A €4.5 million project, ARREST-TB aims to develop affordable, accurate diagnosis of TB in resource-limited settings. The technology will enable precise treatments and limit disease propagation.
Researchers discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces a unique type of antacid that prevents phagosomes from fusing with lysosomes, allowing the bacteria to survive. The mechanism involves the production of 1-tuberculosinyladenosine, an acid that reduces acidity and hinders immune cell digestion.
Researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in developing a thermally stable TB vaccine using a technique called ensilication, which protects vaccine components from heat damage. This innovation has the potential to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of vaccines globally, particularly in remote areas.
A new study from Nordic researchers estimates that approximately one in four people globally carry the tuberculosis bacterium, increasing the challenge of meeting the World Health Organization's target to eliminate TB by 2035. The study suggests that treating latent TB is crucial to prevent active disease and death from the infection.
A post-mortem study in a Mozambican hospital reveals that tuberculosis (TB) cases were often missed by clinicians and traditional autopsy methods. The study found that 28% of patients had the disease at the time of death, with a higher prevalence among HIV-positive adults.
A new study reveals that Mycobacterium tuberculosis can use carbon monoxide to survive inside the human host. This discovery could pave the way for new strategies to fight communicable diseases like TB.
Researchers developed an algorithm that analyzes immune cell responses to predict disease onset and progression. The algorithm uses 'first impressions' from early interactions between immune cells and bacteria to identify patterns that can be applied to real-time blood tests.
A new skin test can accurately differentiate between cattle infected with tuberculosis (TB) and those that have been vaccinated against the disease. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing TB transmission from cattle to humans through unpasteurized milk or co-habitation with infected animals.
A new blood test has shown potential to diagnose human tuberculosis and identify those at most risk of developing the disease. The test, Actiphage, was found to be highly sensitive in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with 73% of participants testing positive for the bacteria.
A new method for synthesizing and evaluating large numbers of potential drug leads has been developed by the University of Groningen. This technique uses acoustic dispensing to create thousands of variant molecules in a high-throughput system, making it possible to quickly identify promising candidates.
Researchers are developing a lab model to study co-infection with HIV and TB, which is a major health problem worldwide. The model mimics the early stages of co-infection and could lead to better treatments and control of both diseases.
Researchers developed a new technique to visualise the distribution of TB drugs in human macrophages at high resolution. The study found that bedaquiline accumulates in lipid droplets inside host cells, forming a reservoir that supplies the drug to Mtb over time.
A recent study has challenged the success of a historic health intervention used in developing countries, suggesting it was not as effective as initially thought. The intervention, which began in 1917, aimed to control tuberculosis and reduce mortality rates, but the new analysis found no significant impact on TB cases or infant mortal...
The PHOENIx MDR-TB study compares the safety and efficacy of delamanid and isoniazid in preventing active MDR-TB disease in at-risk contacts. The trial will enroll approximately 5,610 participants across 12 countries.
A study found that PET/CT imaging can identify diseased areas in patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, guiding personalized therapy. The test provides a whole-body survey, helping to estimate disease extent and predict treatment response.
The University of Illinois Chicago is collaborating with TB Alliance to develop new clinical-stage drug candidates for treating tuberculosis, a bacterial infection resistant to available antibiotics. The five-year research project aims to produce two new treatments, with UIC receiving up to $9 million in funding.
A class of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) plays an unexpected role in the early defense against tuberculosis. ILCs may provide a new approach to developing treatments and vaccines against TB.
Researchers found a compound, C10, that prevented TB bacteria from forming biofilms, making them easier to kill with antibiotics. The compound reversed drug resistance in lab-grown bacteria, potentially shortening treatment regimens for millions suffering from the deadly infection.
Researchers at Stellenbosch University studied how Mycobacterium tuberculosis develops resistance to bedaquiline, a new anti-TB drug. The study found that resistance can emerge despite adherence to the standard treatment regimen, highlighting the need for improved monitoring and diagnostic tools.
Researchers at UCLA have found a way to significantly reduce the duration of tuberculosis treatment using artificial intelligence and data analysis. The new approach identifies synergistic drug combinations that work together to cure TB more quickly and effectively.
The partnership aims to develop two new anti-TB drugs that can treat all forms of TB in less than two months, addressing the growing threat of drug-resistant TB. The project is supported by a $28.4 million grant and brings together key expertise on three major drug targets.
A new compound, C10, was discovered to increase the effectiveness of frontline antibiotic isoniazid against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), a deadly disease. The study suggests that antibiotic resistance in Mtb may be reversible.
An international team of scientists has secured a five-year, $6.2 million grant to study HIV and tuberculosis (TB) coinfection in children. The researchers will investigate the disease mechanisms and explore potential therapeutic approaches using nonhuman primate experiments.
Researchers from Otago Global Health Institute aim to increase TB notifications in Indonesia by implementing an electronic referral system and educating private healthcare providers. The study, funded by $650,000, will shed light on the issue of unreported TB cases and its impact on global health.
Researchers develop a model to estimate TB drug distribution in lung lesions, revealing poor penetration into cavitary lesions. A clinical risk score is also introduced to identify HIV-positive patients at high risk of dying within 2 months of diagnosis.
Researchers discovered that HIV-1 forms nanotubes between macrophages in tuberculosis patients, increasing viral transfer and production. This finding provides potential targets for reducing viral load and improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the Centenary Institute discovered that the tuberculosis bacterium hijacks platelets from the body's blood clotting system to weaken immune systems. Using anti-platelet drugs like aspirin, they were able to prevent hijacking and allow the body to control infection better.
Researchers found that TB drugs alter gut microbiota, compromising immunity and increasing susceptibility to Mtb infection. Transplanting healthy feces restored immunity in treated mice.
A PLOS Special Collection explores new steps in clinical research for optimal TB treatment, driven by WHO and IRD-France sponsorship. Experts outline best practices for future clinical trials to inform policy guidance.
A world free of tuberculosis is possible by 2045 if increased political will and financial resources are directed towards priority areas including providing evidence-based interventions to everyone, especially to high risk groups. The savings from averting a TB death are estimated to be three times the costs.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports that 275,000 new TB diagnoses were made in 2017, with an estimated 77,000 cases being difficult to treat. New WHO recommendations aim to improve treatment for drug-resistant TB with safer and more effective drugs.
New research from the University of Notre Dame discovers that extracellular vesicles from Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected cells can activate an immune response against the disease. This approach, when combined with antibiotics, shows promise in treating drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new drug delivery system that allows patients to switch from daily to monthly doses of antibiotics, reducing the burden of tuberculosis treatment. The device slowly releases antibiotics over one month, eliminating the need for daily pills.
Scientists have developed a retrievable wire-like device that safely delivers large dosages of drugs over several weeks to treat tuberculosis (TB) in pigs. The device, tested successfully, could help patients adhere to treatment regimens more easily, particularly in remote areas where healthcare resources are limited.
A large Latin American cohort study found that TB diagnosis in people with HIV increases the risk of death within 10 years. The study, supported by NIH, analyzed clinical records of 15,999 people with HIV and found that those diagnosed with TB were twice as likely to die compared to those without a TB diagnosis.
Researchers have developed a new vaccine strategy for tuberculosis that protects against the disease by delivering a vaccine directly into the lungs through a spray. The new formulation shows promise in mice studies, with significantly reduced lung inflammation and tissue damage compared to current vaccines.
The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) presented 11 oral and 19 poster presentations on HIV and TB co-morbidities, treatment, and cure. Key findings include novel medications for MDR-TB and the impact of DMPA injections among women treated for HIV and TB.
Researchers have identified a toxin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that kills the bacteria if not neutralized by an antidote protein. This 'suicide' mechanism can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes to combat tuberculosis, which is a major cause of death worldwide.
A new study reveals a promising therapeutic target for tuberculosis (TB) using the toxin-antitoxin system in M. tuberculosis bacteria. Activating this system can trigger cell death and slow down bacterial growth, offering hope for developing new treatments.