Articles tagged with Tuberculosis
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 team of physicists from Immanuel Kant Baltic State University has developed a new method to quickly identify single antibiotic-resistant bacteria cells that are the agents of tuberculosis. The technique uses Raman scattering spectrography to analyze bacterial cells without damaging them.
A large study found that multidrug-resistant tuberculosis can be cured in conflict-affected communities using molecular diagnostics, shorter treatment periods, and socioeconomic incentives. The new approach led to a 83% cure rate compared to 74% for conventional therapy.
Researchers have identified a new target protein that can inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced cell death. Corticosteroids, already used in tuberculosis treatment, may support the healing process by inhibiting this pathway. This immunotherapy approach could reduce treatment duration and secondary complications associated with TB.
A new experimental antibiotic AN12855 has been shown to be more effective against tuberculosis than isoniazid, a decades-old drug. In mouse studies, the new drug demonstrated a much lower tendency to develop resistance and remained in tissues where Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria reside for longer, killing them more effectively.
A recent study found that many cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis remain undetected due to inaccurate tests, leading to incorrect treatment and higher mortality rates. The researchers recommend developing new, comprehensive point-of-care molecular tests that can deliver results within hours or days.
A study of 1,850 patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis found that vitamin D supplementation accelerated TB clearance in those receiving antibiotic treatment. The findings suggest a potential host-directed therapy to improve outcomes for patients with drug-resistant bacterial infections.
A recent Rutgers University study reveals that South Asian immigrants who travel frequently to countries with widespread tuberculosis may have latent infection without symptoms, highlighting the need for better screening and treatment. Approximately 1.7 billion people worldwide, including 13.6 million in the US, have latent TB.
A Phase 1 human clinical trial has begun testing a freeze-dried, temperature-stable formulation of the experimental tuberculosis (TB) vaccine candidate ID93. The trial aims to determine if the single-vial formulation of ID93 and adjuvant GLA-SE is as effective as previously tested two-vial combination in inducing an immune response.
A study found that screening all hospitalized patients with HIV for tuberculosis using urine tests would improve life expectancy by 0.5 to 1.2 years and be cost-effective compared to sputum testing alone. Urine testing, such as LAM and Xpert tests, can detect cases of TB that would have otherwise been missed.
A new rapid blood test for tuberculosis (TB) has been found to be substantially more accurate than existing tests, enabling doctors to quickly detect or rule out TB infection. The test, developed at Imperial College London, could save the NHS over £2 million per year by stopping the use of existing, inadequate tests.
A pilot program introducing safer mining practices reduced airborne lead levels by 95% and respirable silica dust by 80%, saving hundreds of children from lead poisoning. The project's success demonstrates the effectiveness of low-cost dust control measures in reducing hazardous exposures in artisanal small-scale mining communities.
A team of RCSI researchers has developed a new treatment for tuberculosis (TB) that could be used to treat hundreds of thousands of patients. The treatment uses all-trans retinoic acid, which has shown promise in previous studies and can help reduce bacteria and lung damage.
Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that makes people vulnerable to tuberculosis, a condition affecting one in five people globally. The mutation, TYK2, increases the risk of developing TB by disrupting the immune system's ability to fight mycobacteria, making individuals more susceptible to infection.
High research intensity relative to published global disease burden was found for influenza, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis, while paratyphoid fever had low research intensity. Certain neglected tropical diseases such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and leprosy also showed high research intensity.
A Johns Hopkins-led initiative screened over 5,000 Tibetan refugee children and staff for tuberculosis disease and infection. The study found nearly one in five children had TB infection, highlighting the need for population-level control measures.
A SLU researcher suggests focusing on high-risk tuberculosis patients to improve treatment completion rates and accelerate the US goal of eliminating the disease. By identifying latent patients at highest risk of active infection, doctors can better communicate the importance of completing treatment regimens.
A new test method using lung lavage has been developed to improve tuberculosis diagnosis in rhinoceros, with minimal stress for the animals. The study found that lung fluids revealed only harmless mycobacteria, reducing the risk of false positives and improving animal welfare.
Researchers used PET scans to track TB drug levels in a rabbit model and human patients, revealing that current treatments may not be effective due to poor penetration of the drug into infected brain lesions. The study aims to optimize treatment by tailoring doses for individual patients based on imaging results.
Researchers have identified an essential role for the protein heme oxygenase-1 in host defense against tuberculosis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Studies using human lung tissue and mouse models showed that HO-1 production is critical in protecting against TB pathophysiology.
A genetic scan of 4,578 TB samples from China revealed just two dominant strains account for 99.4% of cases, with strain L2 spreading widely due to internal movement allowing its spread. The study also found that strain Lineage 4 was introduced via the silk trade between 1084 and 1336 A.D.
Researchers found that targeted therapies could be more effective in treating TB, which killed an estimated 1.3 million people worldwide last year. Patients with minimal disease showed high efficacy with four-month treatments, while those with moderate or severe disease required longer treatment durations.
A study reveals lymph nodes as reservoirs of persistent tuberculosis infection, where the bacteria can persist for extended periods. This finding has significant implications for tuberculosis treatment and patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a machine learning approach to identify and predict antibiotic resistance genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The approach identified 33 known and 24 new resistance genes, which could aid in personalized treatment for different strains of the bacteria.
A study found that patients with HIV are more likely to experience tuberculosis drug-related adverse events and have longer treatment durations. The researchers emphasized the importance of having resources and expertise to treat coinfected patients in areas with high HIV prevalence.
A recent outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in South Africa remains undetected for five years due to the failure of WHO-endorsed diagnostic tests. Researchers discovered two strains with a specific DNA mutation associated with resistance to Rifampicin, which were not detected by commercial tests.
A new study reveals that Lineage 4 TB emerged in Europe around 1,000 years ago and spread globally with European explorers and colonialists. The study found that drug-resistant strains of Lineage 4 TB have hardly spread beyond their country of origin, suggesting a regional challenge to control.
A study in South Africa found that certain strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are resistant to the two primary antibiotics prescribed for TB. The resistance is not detected by standard DNA tests, leading to unsuccessful treatments and increased mortality.
A recent study reveals that TB resistance mutations evolved independently in various regions multiple times, with little international dissemination. This finding has significant implications for tuberculosis management and treatment, suggesting localized efforts could be successful.
A study from University of California San Diego found that patients who recorded videos of themselves taking TB medications had better adherence to treatment than those observed in-person. VDOT (video directly observed therapy) was also cost-effective and preferred over traditional DOT.