Article
Infectious Diseases
Shynar M. Maretbayeva, Anar S. Rakisheva, Malik M. Adenov, Lyazzat T. Yeraliyeva, Yerkebulan Zh. Algozhin, Assel T. Stambekova, Elmira A. Berikova, Askar Yedilbayev, Michael L. Rich, Kwonjune J. Seung, Assiya M. Issayeva
Summary: Rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant (RR/MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of M. tuberculosis are a serious public health issue in Kazakhstan. The approval of new TB drugs, bedaquiline and delamanid, offers hope for more effective MDR-TB treatment. A study of patients in Kazakhstan receiving bedaquiline or delamanid-containing regimen found that 89% experienced culture conversion within six months.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sagun Paudel, Retna Siwi Padmawati, Ashmita Ghimire, Choden Lama Yonzon, Yodi Mahendradhata
Summary: The study found that current hospital settings and service delivery arrangements in Nepal are not well arranged as required, and hospital ownership is crucial for mobilizing staff, improving client flow systems, and proper space management for FAST services. Major barriers to FAST implementation in Nepal include lack of a separate room, limited capacity of GeneXpert machine, irregular supply of GeneXpert cartridge, and inadequate human resources for screening and counseling.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Getu Diriba, Ayinalem Alemu, Bazezew Yenew, Habteyes Hailu Tola, Dinka Fikadu Gamtesa, Hilina Mollalign, Kirubel Eshetu, Shewki Moga, Saro Abdella, Getachew Tollera, Abebaw Kebede, Mesay Hailu Dangisso
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) and pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (pre-XDR-TB) in patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). A total of 64 studies involving 12,711 patients from 22 countries were included. The pooled proportion of pre-XDR-TB was 26%, while XDR-TB in MDR-TB cases was 9%. These findings highlight the substantial burden of pre-XDR-TB and XDR-TB in MDR-TB patients, emphasizing the importance of strengthening TB programs and drug resistance surveillance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hyeontaek Hwang, Hyungseok Kang, Yong-Soo Kwon, Doosoo Jeon, Tae Sun Shim, Jae-Joon Yim
Summary: A nationwide cohort study in South Korea assessed and compared the final treatment outcomes of patients with multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis who received bedaquiline or delamanid. The study found that the initial choice of bedaquiline or delamanid did not significantly impact the final treatment outcome or the frequencies of adverse events among patients.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Denny Anggoro Prakoso, Wahyudi Istiono, Yodi Mahendradhata, Merita Arini
Summary: This study investigates the acceptability and feasibility of tuberculosis-diabetes mellitus (TB-DM) screening implementation in private primary care clinics in Indonesia. The findings suggest that most private primary care clinics find TB screening in DM patients acceptable and feasible. The study also reveals that the majority of diabetes patients enthusiastically accept TB-DM screening services. Healthcare professionals demonstrate awareness of the intervention and a positive attitude despite some burden. However, the implementation is challenged by the stigma associated with COVID-19, TB stigma, lack of resources, and regulatory issues. Concealed and tiered screening are identified as potential methods to enhance TB-DM screening implementation.
Review
Microbiology
Francesco Pecora, Giulia Dal Canto, Piero Veronese, Susanna Esposito
Summary: This article discusses the current knowledge of managing MDR-TB and XDR-TB in children, focusing on two promising new drugs: bedaquiline and delamanid. While data on these new anti-TB drugs in pediatric populations are limited, they appear to have good tolerability and efficacy in children with MDR-TB/XDR-TB. More evidence is needed to guide their use in designing effective shorter regimens and reducing adverse effects, drug interactions, and therapeutic failure.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Chun-Hua Li, Xiao Fan, Sheng-Xiu Lv, Xue-Yan Liu, Jia-Nan Wang, Yong-Mei Li, Qi Li
Summary: The value of integrating clinical and computed tomography (CT) features to predict multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-PTB) was explored. Male sex, retreated history, longer duration of previous anti-TB treatment, lower CD4+ T lymphocyte count, thick-walled cavity, centrilobular micronodules and tree-in-bud sign, bronchial stenosis, pleural and pericardial thickening were identified as the most effective variations associated with MDR-PTB. The combined model achieved an accuracy of 78.6% and an external validation cohort obtained an accuracy of 81.7%.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Richard Long, Angela Lau, Mary Lou Egedahl, Catherine Paulsen, Courtney Heffernan, Brett Edwards, Ryan Cooper
Summary: The proportion of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis among migrants in Canada has been increasing, with some cases attributed to immigration and others to a higher proportion of cases from high MDR tuberculosis burden countries. Local transmission does not play a significant role in the occurrence of MDR tuberculosis in Canada, highlighting the need for improved tuberculosis control in high MDR tuberculosis burden countries.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Hwi-yeol Yun, Min Jung Chang, Heeyoon Jung, Vincent Chang, Qianwen Wang, Natasha Strydom, Young-Ran Yoon, Radojka M. Savic
Summary: A population PK model for prothionamide was developed and fixed-dose prothionamide (750 mg/day) was found to be appropriate for adult MDR-TB patients with weights of 40 to 67 kg, regardless of weight-band. The study confirmed the efficacy of this dosing regimen for MDR-TB patients.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Han Eol Jeong, Sungho Bea, Ju Hwan Kim, Seung Hun Jang, Hyunjin Son, Ju-Young Shin
Summary: Despite being an important public health issue in South Korea, the risk factors of MDR-TB remain unclear. This study, which included over 50,000 TB patients from South Korea, suggests that immigrants and patients with lower income levels are strong predictors of MDR-TB in a high-income, high TB incidence country.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Zexuan Song, Chunfa Liu, Wencong He, Shaojun Pei, Dongxin Liu, Xiaolong Cao, Yiting Wang, Ping He, Bing Zhao, Xichao Ou, Hui Xia, Shengfen Wang, Yanlin Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the drug-resistant profile, compensatory mutations, and genetic variations among MDR-TB isolates in China. The results showed a high rate of fluoroquinolone resistance and a low proportion of resistance to other drugs. The majority of MDR-TB isolates belonged to Lineage 2.2.1, and clustered isolates outperformed non-clustered isolates in terms of transmission. Compensatory mutations were more frequent in clusters, and single nucleotide polymorphism mutations were the main variants in resistance-associated genes.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Yecai Liu, Drew L. Posey, Quanhe Yang, Michelle S. Weinberg, Susan A. Maloney, Lauren A. Lambert, Luis S. Ortega, Nina Marano, Martin S. Cetron, Christina R. Phares
Summary: Culture-based overseas TB screening in U.S.-bound immigrants and refugees substantially reduced the importation of MDR-TB into the United States.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kelvin W. C. S. Leong, Sanjay S. Gautam, Manoj Pradhan, Y. Ibotomba K. Singh, K. C. R. Rajendra, Sagar Rajbhandari, Gokarna R. Ghimire, Krishna Adhikari, Uma Shrestha, Raina Chaudhary, Gyanendra Ghimire, Sundar Khadka, Ronan F. O'Toole
Summary: Nepal has a comparable tuberculosis incidence rate to its neighboring high incidence countries, and it also sees a significant number of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis cases each year. This study analyzed the whole-genome of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis isolates from Nepal and identified specific mutations related to their resistance. The study also found a high proportion of fluoroquinolone resistance among the Nepal isolates. These findings have important implications for the management of tuberculosis in Nepal.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jean de Dieu Longo, Sylvain Honore Woromogo, Gaspard Tekpa, Henri Saint-Calvaire Diemer, Herve Gando, Fernand Armel Djidere, Gerard Gresenguet
Summary: This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in patients admitted to a pneumo-physiology clinic in Central African Republic. The main factors associated with MDR-TB were male gender, residence in a peri-urban/urban area, history of previous TB treatment, and the presence of multidrug-resistant TB in the family.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Hui Xia, Yang Zheng, Dongxin Liu, Shengfen Wang, WenCong He, Bing Zhao, Yuanyuan Song, Xichao Ou, Yang Zhou, Susan van den Hof, Frank Cobelens, YanLin Zhao
Summary: The study revealed an increase in moxifloxacin resistance among MDR-TB patients in China from 2007 to 2013, suggesting cautious use of the drug in MDR/RR-TB regimens. Laboratory confirmation of susceptibility to moxifloxacin is crucial, given the rise in resistance levels.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maximilian Nawrath, Solene Guenat, Helen Elsey, Martin Dallimer
Summary: The review assessed the mental health benefits of urban greenspaces in LMICs, finding most studies showing positive associations between greenspaces and mental health but lacking research on lower-income countries. Mediating and moderating factors play a role in this relationship. Future studies should focus on specific contexts and combine ecological assessments with mental health screening tools.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
K. Siddiqi, B. Stubbs, Y. Lin, H. Elsey, N. Siddiqi
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Margaret Nampijja, Kenneth Okelo, Patricia Kitsao Wekulo, Elizabeth W. Kimani-Murage, Helen Elsey
Summary: Investing in children during the critical period between birth and age 5 years can have long-lasting benefits. The study aims to co-design and test the feasibility of a supportive assessment and skills-building for child-care centre providers in urban informal settlements in Kenya. Ethical approval has been obtained and findings will be published to inform child-care policy and practice.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Joanna Morrison, Romi Giri, Abriti Arjyal, Chandani Kharel, Helen Harris-Fry, Philip James, Sushil Baral, Naomi Saville, Sara Hillman
Summary: Maternal anemia prevalence in low-income countries is high, and interventions need to focus on antenatal care, iron folate intake, and nutrient-rich diets. Harmful gender norms restrict access to nutrition and healthcare for pregnant women and family members, while fathers lack trust in paternal care during pregnancy. The research findings guided the development of interventions for addressing pregnancy anemia.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Kamran Siddiqi, Ada Keding, Anna-Marie Marshall, Omara Dogar, Jinshuo Li, Rumana Huque, Razia Fatima, Amina Khan, Helen Elsey, Rhian Gabe, Daniel Kotz, Aziz Sheikh
Summary: Patients with TB who quit smoking during treatment may have better outcomes, including higher cure rates and lower relapse rates. Health professionals should offer support to help TB patients quit smoking for improved treatment outcomes.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Neha Shah, Ian F. Walker, Yannish Naik, Selina Rajan, Kate O'Hagan, Michelle Black, Christopher Cartwright, Taavi Tillmann, Nicola Pearce-Smith, Jude Stansfield
Summary: This study identified 20 reviews, mostly of low or critically low quality. Higher quality evidence suggests more generous welfare benefits may reduce socioeconomic inequalities in mental health outcomes. Lower quality evidence indicates various interventions and policies, such as unemployment insurance, warm housing interventions, and gender equality policies, are associated with improved mental health outcomes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maximilian Nawrath, Helen Elsey, Martin Dallimer
Summary: Exposure to urban greenspaces promotes mental health benefits, with pathways such as reducing harm, restoring capacities, building capacities, and causing harm. Cultural ecosystem services, providing settings for recreation or interactions with greenspaces, were most preferred among residents. Urban greenspaces play a pivotal role in reducing mental ill-health for low-income residents in LMICs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Angela Abascal, Natalie Rothwell, Adenike Shonowo, Dana R. Thomson, Peter Elias, Helen Elsey, Godwin Yeboah, Monika Kuffer
Summary: The majority of urban inhabitants in low-and middle-income country (LMIC) cities live in deprived urban areas. However, the lack of statistical and spatial data at different scales hinders policy efforts and monitoring of global goals. This scoping review integrates existing literature and local stakeholder workshops to propose a Domains of Deprivation Framework, which conceptualizes urban deprivation and includes nine different domains at various scales to support initiatives addressing deprivation in LMIC cities from a holistic perspective.
COMPUTERS ENVIRONMENT AND URBAN SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Helen Elsey, Zunayed Al Azdi, Shophika Regmi, Sushil Baral, Razia Fatima, Fariza Fieroze, Rumana Huque, Jiban Karki, Dost Mohammad Khan, Amina Khan, Zohaib Khan, Jinshuo Li, Maryam Noor, Abriti Arjyal, Prabin Shrestha, Safat Ullah, Kamran Siddiqi
Summary: This study evaluated the implementation and scale-up of cessation support for tuberculosis patients in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. The results showed that health workers in learning sites were able to provide tobacco cessation support to all tuberculosis patients, and short training sessions significantly increased their confidence in delivering cessation support. The findings also indicated successful horizontal scale-up beyond the learning sites, with dissemination of materials and changes to national reporting forms and training.
HEALTH RESEARCH POLICY AND SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Joanna Morrison, Romi Giri, Philip James, Abriti Arjyal, Chandani Kharel, Naomi Saville, Sushil Baral, Sara Hillman, Helen Harris-Fry
Summary: Anaemia in pregnancy in rural plains Nepal could be reduced by increasing the consumption of green leaves, eggs, and meat; however, families often face difficulties in implementing food-based strategies due to perceived expenses and religious or cultural taboos. Providing counselling and involving communities are necessary to offer affordable and culturally appropriate recommendations.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Alexander Jarde, Eugenia Romano, Saima Afaq, Asma Elsony, Yan Lin, Rumana Huque, Helen Elsey, Kamran Siddiqi, B. Stubbs, Najma Siddiqi
Summary: This study aimed to map the prevalence of co-occurring chronic conditions in individuals with tuberculosis (TB) and assess the associated health risks by systematically reviewing previous systematic reviews. The study identified depression, HIV, and diabetes mellitus as the most prevalent conditions in individuals with TB. Despite limitations in the quality of the literature, this meta-review highlights the significant additional burden of chronic conditions on individuals with TB.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maximilian Nawrath, Helen Elsey, Moti Lal Rijal, Martin Dallimer
Summary: Evidence suggests that greenspaces in rapidly urbanising low-income cities can encourage physical activity and promote social cohesion. Additionally, medium levels of perceived biodiversity in greenspaces may best support physical activity and social cohesion in low- and middle-income countries. Further research is needed to explore how greenspaces can enhance well-being in LMICs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Maryam Ba-Break, Bridgette Bewick, Reinhard Huss, Tim Ensor, Asma Abahussin, Hamdi Alhakimi, Helen Elsey
Summary: The objective of this study was to identify the approaches and strategies used for ensuring cultural appropriateness, intervention functions, and theoretical constructs of school-based smoking prevention interventions in low-income and middle-income countries. The study found that deep cultural adaptation, raising awareness of smoking consequences, improving refusal skills, and using role models and peer educators were key factors in effective smoking prevention interventions.
Article
Health Policy & Services
Tim Martineau, Kim Ozano, Joanna Raven, Wesam Mansour, Fiona Bay, Dominic Nkhoma, Elsheikh Badr, Sushil Baral, Shophika Regmi, Margaret Caffrey
Summary: A cohesive and strategic governance approach is needed to improve the health workforce. The WHO Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health promotes mechanisms to coordinate stakeholders and structures within the health sector to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive health workforce agenda.
HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dana R. Thomson, Radheshyam Bhattarai, Sudeepa Khanal, Shraddha Manandhar, Rajeev Dhungel, Subash Gajurel, Joseph Paul Hicks, Duong Minh Duc, Junnatul Ferdoush, Tarana Ferdous, Nushrat Jahan Urmy, Riffat Ara Shawon, Khuong Quynh Long, Ak Narayan Poudel, Chris Cartwright, Hilary Wallace, Tim Ensor, Sushil Baral, Saidur Mashreky, Rumana Huque, Hoang Van Minh, Helen Elsey
Summary: The study compared the feasibility of survey method innovations with standard methods in Kathmandu, Dhaka, and Hanoi, showing that standard methods may unintentionally exclude vulnerable and mobile urban populations. The findings underscore the need to modernize survey methods and practices to prevent such exclusion.
JOURNAL OF URBAN HEALTH-BULLETIN OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE
(2021)
