Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chathika K. Weerasuriya, Rebecca C. Harris, C. Finn McQuaid, Fiammetta Bozzani, Yunzhou Ruan, Renzhong Li, Tao Li, Kirankumar Rade, Raghuram Rao, Ann M. Ginsberg, Gabriela B. Gomez, Richard G. White
Summary: The study found that novel TB vaccines could greatly reduce the burden of RR/MDR-TB in the future, while also averting the need for second-line therapy. The cost-effectiveness of vaccination may vary depending on the characteristics of the vaccine and the setting.
Article
Microbiology
Zafran Khan, Daniya Ualiyeva, Obed Boadi Amissah, Sanjeep Sapkota, H. M. Adnan Hameed, Tianyu Zhang
Summary: This study aims to generate a universal TB subunit vaccine using advanced immunoinformatics techniques. Conserved and experimentally confirmed antigens were selected, and potential vaccine candidates were identified through a rigorous evaluation process. The vaccine showed stability and high affinity for the immune receptor TLR-3, and immune simulations demonstrated elevated levels of immunoglobulins and cytokines, as well as increased populations of helper T and cytotoxic T cells.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Qiaoli Yang, Jinjin Han, Jingjing Shen, Xinsen Peng, Lurong Zhou, Xuejing Yin
Summary: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, is a major health problem and the leading cause of death in HIV-infected individuals. HIV increases the risk of developing TB and accelerates the progression of both diseases. Integrating HIV and tuberculosis control programs reduces transmission and allows for early treatment.
Article
Microbiology
Anna E. Panova, Anatoliy S. Vinokurov, Anastasiya A. Shemetova, Irina A. Burmistrova, Marina Shulgina, Anastasiya G. Samoilova, Irina A. Vasilyeva, Diana V. Vakhrusheva, Tatiana Umpeleva, Nataliya Eremeeva, Leonid S. Lavrenchuk, Lyudmila A. Golubeva, Tatiana Danilova, Tatiana B. Vasilyeva, Vera A. Ugol'kova, Nataliya Sosova, Marina Lekhlyaider, Irina A. Gorshkova, Tatiana A. Romanova
Summary: The study found that Beijing genotype isolates dominated in clinical isolates of both HIV+ and HIV- patients in Russia. Non-Beijing genotypes were more prevalent in HIV+ patients. The polymorphism of genomic loci and mutations were more pronounced in clinical isolates from HIV- patients compared to HIV+ patients.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Vichita Ok, Alexandra Aubry, Florence Morel, Isabelle Bonnet, Jerome Robert, Wladimir Sougakoff
Summary: The automated MDR/MTB ELITe MGB(R) assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in detecting TB and associated drug resistance mutations in clinical samples. There was good agreement with genotypic drug susceptibility testing for the mutations tested, indicating the potential utility of this assay in rapid detection of pre-MDR and MDR-TB.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Belen Saavedra, Edson Mambuque, Neide Gomes, Dinis Nguenha, Rita Mabunda, Luis Faife, Ruben Langa, Shilzia Munguambe, Filomena Manjate, Anelsio Cossa, Lesley Scott, Alberto L. Garcia-Basteiro
Summary: This study evaluated the field use of Abbott RealTime MTB and Xpert MTB/RIF assays in Southern Mozambique among HIV-positive and TB presumptive cases. Results showed improved sensitivity but reduced specificity for the Abbott RT-MTB compared to the Xpert MTB/RIF.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
A. Kousha, S. Farajnia, K. Ansarin, M. Khalili, M. Shariat, L. Sahebi
Summary: This study compared the effect of BCG vaccination history on the prevention of Mtb-Beijing and non-Beijing strains. Results showed a significant relationship between Beijing strains and TB drug resistance, as well as an association between vaccination history and Beijing strains, which was not maintained in the unvaccinated group. Further investigation with a larger sample size is needed to understand the high probability of drug resistance in patients with Beijing-TB and vaccination history.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kavita Misra, Jamie S. Huang, Chi-Chi N. Udeagu, Lisa Forgione, Qiang Xia, Lucia Torian
Summary: This study examined the impact of PrEP use on the prevalence of M184I/V mutations in people diagnosed with HIV in New York City. The results showed a strong association between PrEP use and baseline M184I/V mutations.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Louansha Nandlal, Rubeshan Perumal, Kogieleum Naidoo
Summary: Drug-resistant tuberculosis poses a major threat to global tuberculosis control efforts, driving the need for new and urgently needed TB diagnostics. Rapid molecular diagnostic tests have the potential to replace traditional phenotypic drug-susceptibility testing, but face challenges in adapting to different regions and meeting the needs of low-income countries.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Doctor B. Sibandze, Alexander Kay, Viola Dreyer, Welile Sikhondze, Qiniso Dlamini, Andrew DiNardo, Godwin Mtetwa, Bhekumusa Lukhele, Debrah Vambe, Christoph Lange, Muyalo Glenn Dlamini, Tara Ness, Rojelio Mejia, Barbara Kalsdorf, Jan Heyckendorf, Martin Kuhns, Florian P. Maurer, Sindisiwe Dlamini, Gugu Maphalala, Stefan Niemann, Anna Mandalakas
Summary: Stool is an important diagnostic specimen for tuberculosis, especially in populations unable to provide sputum. However, conventional culture methods perform poorly in isolating M. tuberculosis complex strains from stool samples, limiting drug resistance testing. This study demonstrates that targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) can effectively detect drug resistance mutations from stool specimens, providing critical diagnostic information for tuberculosis patients who struggle to produce sputum samples.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhi-bin Liu, Li-ping Cheng, Hong-qiu Pan, Xiao-cui Wu, Fu-hui Lu, Jie Cao, Lei Wang, Wei Wei, Hong-yu Chen, Wei Sha, Qin Sun
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of the MeltPro TB assay as an initial diagnostic test for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis and drug resistance, showing promising results.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anastasia Ushtanit, Yulia Mikhailova, Alexandra Lyubimova, Marina Makarova, Svetlana Safonova, Alexey Filippov, Sergey Borisov, Danila Zimenkov
Summary: Linezolid resistance mainly emerged during treatment with the latest regimen, and three primary cases with linezolid resistance questioned the possible transmission of totally drug-resistant tuberculosis in the Moscow region, which requires further investigation.
Article
Immunology
Samantha Donnellan, Shaun H. Pennington, Alessandra Ruggiero, Carmen Martinez-Rodriguez, Marion Pouget, Jordan Thomas, Steve A. Ward, Georgios Pollakis, Giancarlo A. Biagini, William A. Paxton
Summary: The coinfection of tuberculosis and HIV is a major global health concern. This study used fluorescent labeled viral particles and bacteria to investigate the pathogenesis and treatment of coinfection. It was found that HIV infection inhibited the replication of tuberculosis, and antiviral and antimicrobial treatments showed therapeutic efficacy. This method can be used for mechanistic studies to develop novel treatment strategies.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gustavo Adolfo Bermudez-Hernandez, Damian Eduardo Perez-Martinez, Carlos Francisco Madrazo-Moya, Irving Cancino-Munoz, Inaki Comas, Roberto Zenteno-Cuevas
Summary: This study analyzed genome sequences of tuberculosis isolates from individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus to evaluate the influence of diabetes on the development of drug-resistant mutations. The results showed similar proportions of SNPs between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals, but a higher number of mutations associated with rifampicin resistance was observed in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The presence of globally rare rifampicin variants in isolates from individuals with diabetes suggests a potential role of hyperglycemic environment in antibiotic resistance.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samreen Fatima, Anjna Kumari, Meetu Agarwal, Isha Pahuja, Vinod Yadav, Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Ashima Bhaskar
Summary: Epigenetics plays a crucial role in the survival of TB pathogen and manipulation of the host immune response, with a significant impact on the host genome. By altering the activation status of genes involved in host immune response, the pathogen promotes its survival and subverts antibacterial strategies of the host, which can be utilized to design efficient host-directed therapies.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Kristien Nel Van Zyl, Siphiwe R. Matukane, Bianca L. Hamman, Andrew C. Whitelaw, Mae Newton-Foot
Summary: Antibiotic use can alter the diversity and composition of the human microbiota. This systematic review found that certain antibiotics can cause long-term dysbiosis in the microbiome. The importance of longitudinal analysis and studies in pediatric populations was highlighted.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Wentzel Bruce Dowling, Andrew Whitelaw, Pieter Nel
Summary: This study identified positive predictors for active TB disease in patients with trace results, including extra-pulmonary TB samples, no previous TB disease, and symptoms suggestive of TB.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lorna Gcanga, Ousman Tamgue, Mumin Ozturk, Shandre Pillay, Raygaana Jacobs, Julius Ebua Chia, Stanley Kimbung Mbandi, Malika Davids, Keertan Dheda, Sebastian Schmeier, Tanvir Alam, Sugata Roy, Harukazu Suzuki, Frank Brombacher, Reto Guler
Summary: A newly discovered long noncoding RNA, lincRNA-MIR99AHG, has been found to play a regulatory role in immune response and macrophage function during tuberculosis (TB) infection. Knockdown of this RNA significantly reduces intracellular TB growth and pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
NUCLEIC ACID THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Temesgen Tilahun, Asfaw Tadesse, Rut Oljira
Summary: This article reports a case of a 75-year-old postmenopausal patient who retained a Lippes loop IUD for 40 years. The case demonstrates that spontaneous expulsion of an IUD after prolonged use is possible in the absence of embedment of the IUD into the uterine wall or uterine perforation.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CASE REPORTS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shabir A. Madhi, Gaurav Kwatra, Simone Richardson, Anthonet L. Koen, Vicky Baillie, Clare L. Cutland, Lee Fairlie, Sherman D. Padayachee, Keertan Dheda, Shaun L. Barnabas, Qasim Ebrahim Bhorat, Carmen Briner, Khatija Ahmed, Parvinder K. Aley, Sutika Bhikha, A. E. Bhorat, Aliasgar Esmail, Elizea Horne, Haajira Kaldine, Christian K. Mukendi, Vimbai Sharon Madzorera, Nelia P. Manamela, Mduduzi Masilela, S. Tandile Hermanus, Thopisang Motlou, Nonkululeko Mzindle, Suzette Oelofse, Faeezah Patel, Sarah Rhead, Lindie Rossouw, Carol Taoushanis, Samuel van Eck, Teresa Lambe, Sarah C. Gilbert, Andrew J. Pollard, Penny L. Moore, Alane Izu
Summary: A study in Africa found that SARS-CoV-2 infection before vaccination with the AZD1222 vaccine can enhance antibody responses for up to 180 days. This has important implications for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Africa.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rubeshan Perumal, Kogieleum Naidoo, Anushka Naidoo, Marothi P. Letsoalo, Aliasgar Esmail, Ivan Joubert, Paolo Denti, Lubbe Wiesner, Nesri Padayatchi, Gary Maartens, Keertan Dheda
Summary: This study investigates the pharmacokinetics of rifampicin and the impact of continuous enteral feeding on drug absorption in critically ill patients with tuberculosis. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) with dose escalation is found to be an effective strategy to achieve target drug exposure in these patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Keertan Dheda, Christoph Lange
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinal E. Bhiman, Simone Richardson, Bronwen Lambson, Prudence Kgagudi, Nonkululeko Mzindle, Haajira Kaldine, Carol Crowther, Glenda Gray, Linda-Gail Bekker, Anthonet Koen, Lee Fairlie, Leon Fouche, Qasim Bhorat, Keertan Dheda, Michele Tameris, Mduduzi Masilela, Zaheer Hoosain, Nishanta Singh, Sherika Hanley, Moherndran Archary, Cheryl Louw, Coert Grobbelaar, Umesh Lalloo, Natasha Joseph, Gertruida Kruger, Vivek Shinde, Chijioke M. Bennett, Gregory A. Glenn, Shabir L. Madhi, Penny Moore
Summary: The Omicron variant of concern has high resistance to neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccination or infection with previous variants. After two doses of NVX-CoV2373 vaccine, 72% and 59% of samples of Omicron sub-lineages BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 respectively showed resistance to neutralization. However, after a third dose of NVX-CoV2373, high neutralizing titers were observed, similar to those induced by three doses of an mRNA vaccine.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ilhaam Abrahams, Angela Dramowski, Kedisaletse Moloto, Lizel Lloyd, Andrew Whitelaw, Adrie Bekker
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, treatment methods and outcomes of neonates with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections in a neonatal unit in South Africa, as well as the adverse reactions related to colistin. The results showed that colistin was used for premature infants with lower gestational age and lower birth weight, but the mortality rate was high. In addition, the outbreak isolates were found to be blaNDM-1 prevalent strains.
SOUTHERN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Gregory L. Calligaro, Nevadna Singh, Timothy C. Pennel, Rachelle Steyn, Anita Brink, Aliasgar Esmail, Lynelle Mottay, Suzette Oelofse, Barbara L. Mastrapa, Wisdom Basera, Kathryn Manning, Chima Ofoegbu, Anthony Linegar, Keertan Dheda
Summary: This study investigated the treatment outcomes of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients who underwent surgery, and found that surgical intervention combined with chemotherapy led to better treatment success. However, pre-operative PET-CT did not predict treatment outcomes.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Jose Dominguez, Martin J. Boeree, Emmanuelle Cambau, Dumitru Chesov, Francesca Conradie, Vivian Cox, Keertan Dheda, Andrii Dudnyk, Maha R. Farhat, Sebastien Gagneux, Martin P. Grobusch, Matthias Groeschel, Lorenzo Guglielmetti, Irina Kontsevaya, Berit Lange, Frank van Leth, Christian Lienhardt, Anna M. Mandalakas, Florian P. Maurer, Matthias Merker, Paolo Miotto, Barbara Molina-Moya, Florence Morel, Stefan Niemann, Nicolas Veziris, Andrew Whitelaw, Charles R. Horsburgh Jr, Christoph Lange
Summary: Drug-resistant tuberculosis is a global concern and molecular methods provide rapid information on mutations associated with anti-tuberculosis drug resistance. This consensus document, developed by TBnet and RESIST-TB networks, establishes reporting standards for the clinical use of molecular drug susceptibility testing. The panel identified studies linking M tuberculosis mutations with treatment outcomes, and highlights the importance of implementing molecular testing for drug resistance prediction.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aliasgar Esmail, Philippa Randall, Suzette Oelofse, Michele Tomasicchio, Anil Pooran, Richard Meldau, Edson Makambwa, Lynelle Mottay, Shameem Jaumdally, Gregory Calligaro, Stuart Meier, Marianna de Kock, Tawanda Gumbo, Robin Mark Warren, Keertan Dheda
Summary: Two in every five patients with active tuberculosis (TB) remain undiagnosed or unreported, highlighting the need for urgent implementation of community-based active case-finding strategies. Through an open-label, randomized controlled trial in periurban informal settlements of Cape Town, South Africa, it was found that portable, battery-operated molecular diagnostic tools can shorten time-to-treatment initiation compared to conventional POC smear microscopy, potentially curtailing transmission.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elize Pietersen, Kim Anderson, Helen Cox, Keertan Dheda, Aihua Bian, Bryan E. Shepherd, Timothy R. Sterling, Robin M. Warren, Yuri F. van der Heijden
Summary: This study found that incomplete treatment with certain anti-TB drugs, such as second-line injectables and para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), was more common than with other drugs in the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis. The reasons for discontinuation varied, with adverse events being the main cause for discontinuation of second-line injectables and patient refusal for discontinuation of PAS.
Article
Immunology
Anthonet L. Koen, Alane Izu, Vicky Baillie, Gaurav Kwatra, Clare L. Cutland, Lee Fairlie, Sherman D. Padayachee, Keertan Dheda, Shaun L. Barnabas, Qasim Ebrahim Bhorat, Carmen Briner, Khatija Ahmed, Sutika Bhikha, Jinal N. Bhiman, Jeanine du Plessis, Aliasgar Esmail, Elizea Horne, Shi-Hsia Hwa, Aylin Oommen-Jose, Teresa Lambe, Matt Laubscher, Mookho Malahleha, Gabriella Benade, Shakeel McKenzie, Suzette Oelofse, Faeezah Patel, Sureshnee Pillay, Sarah Rhead, Hylton Rodel, Carol Taoushanis, Houriiyah Tegally, Asha Thombrayil, Tonya L. Villafana, Sarah Gilbert, Andrew J. Pollard, Shabir A. Madhi
Summary: The final analysis of the COV005 study in South African adults showed that the efficacy of the AZD1222 vaccine varied against different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The vaccine had high efficacy against the wild type virus, but lower efficacy against the Beta and Delta variants. Safety was consistent with previous findings.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rebecca Milton, David Gillespie, Calie Dyer, Khadijeh Taiyari, Maria J. Carvalho, Kathryn Thomson, Kirsty Sands, Edward A. R. Portal, Kerenza Hood, Ana Ferreira, Thomas Hender, Nigel Kirby, Jordan Mathias, Maria Nieto, William J. Watkins, Delayehu Bekele, Mahlet Abayneh, Semaria Solomon, Sulagna Basu, Ranjan K. Nandy, Bijan Saha, Kenneth Iregbu, Fatima Z. Modibbo, Stella Uwaezuoke, Rabaab Zahra, Haider Shirazi, Syed U. Najeeb, Jean-Baptiste Mazarati, Aniceth Rucogoza, Lucie Gaju, Shaheen Mehtar, Andre N. H. Bulabula, Andrew C. Whitelaw, Timothy R. Walsh, Grace J. Chan
Summary: This study aimed to determine the incidence and associations with neonatal sepsis and all-cause mortality in facility-born neonates in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Findings reveal a high incidence of neonatal sepsis and its significant impact on mortality rates in LMICs.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
