Article
Infectious Diseases
E. Lopez-Varela, A. J. Garcia-Prats, J. A. Seddon, H. R. Draper, J. Winckler, L. van der Laan, M. Palmer, W. A. Burger, H. S. Schaaf, A. C. Hesseling
Summary: This study observed the outcomes and safety of rifampicin-resistant TB treatment in children. The results showed that the treatment outcomes were excellent in this cohort, with few severe adverse events related to treatment, except for hearing loss.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Y-S. Kwon, J. E. Shin, H. Kang, D. Jeon, J-J. Yim, T. S. Shim
Summary: This nationwide cohort study aimed to assess the treatment outcomes of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients in South Korea who underwent treatment guided by a national TB expert review committee. The study compared the final treatment outcomes between patients on new TB drugs and those not on new TB drugs and analyzed prognostic factors. Results showed that there was no difference in treatment success rate between patients on new TB drugs and those not on new TB drugs. The study concluded that the use of new drugs, as determined by an expert committee, did not compromise treatment success in mainly quinolone-susceptible MDR-TB.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asif Massud, Amer Hayat Khan, Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman, Nafees Ahmad, Muhammad Shafqat, Long Chiau Ming
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate treatment outcomes and predictors of poor outcomes among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Punjab, Pakistan. The study found a treatment success rate below the WHO target, emphasizing the importance of special attention and timely intervention for high-risk patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shubhangi Dhakulkar, Mrinalini Das, Narendra Sutar, Vikas Oswal, Daksha Shah, Shilpa Ravi, Dipa Vengurlekar, Vijay Chavan, Lorraine Rebello, Augusto C. Meneguim, Aparna Iyer, Homa Mansoor, Stobdan Kalon, Shrikala Acharya, Gabriella Ferlazzo, Petros Isaakidis, Harshad P. Thakur
Summary: This study investigated the final treatment outcomes and factors associated with unsuccessful treatment in children and adolescents with DR-TB, finding a high proportion of successful outcomes. Nutritional support and follow-up care should be strengthened, and new TB drugs like Bedaquiline and Delamanid should be rapidly scaled up in routine TB programs for the pediatric population.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hongjo Choi, Jeongha Mok, Young Ae Kang, Dawoon Jeong, Hee-Yeon Kang, Hee Jin Kim, Hee-Sun Kim, Doosoo Jeon
Summary: A retrospective evaluation of MDR/RR tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Korea from 2011 to 2017 showed an improvement in treatment success rate. However, increasing deaths during treatment pose a new challenge for MDR-TB control. Special attention is needed for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, patients with comorbidities, and those with low household incomes.
JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ming-Gui Wang, Shou-Quan Wu, Jian-Qing He, Xiang-Min Liu
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of clofazimine on the treatment outcomes of drug-resistant tuberculosis. A systematic search was conducted to identify eligible studies and a meta-analysis was performed. The results showed that clofazimine-containing regimens were associated with higher treatment completion rates and lower treatment failure rates compared to non-clofazimine regimens.
MICROBES AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
M. Kaswa, G. Minga, N. Nkiere, B. Mingiedi, G. Eloko, P. Nguhiu, I. Garcia Baena
Summary: In 2019, 56.5% of TB-affected households in the Democratic Republic of Congo experienced costs exceeding 20% of their annual household expenditure. The risk of catastrophic costs increased with hospitalization, drug resistance, and lower economic status. Half of households resorted to coping strategies and experienced food insecurity, while only 7.5% received social support.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Development Studies
Rodrigue Batumike, Franklin Bulonvu, Gerard Imani, Desire Akonkwa, Aimable Gahigi, Julia A. Klein, Robw Marchant, Aida Cuni-Sanchez
Summary: The study looked at climate changes and adaptation strategies among hunter-gatherer communities in African mountains. Twa respondents perceived increased temperatures and reduced rainfall, while Tembo farmers reported similar impacts. However, Twa did not use any adaptation strategies, while Tembo farmers employed some strategies.
CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mengistu K. Wakjira, Peter T. Sandy, A. H. Mavhandu-Mudzusi
Summary: This study investigated the determinants of treatment outcomes in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) at referral hospitals in Ethiopia. The results showed that patients with low body mass index and comorbidities had a higher risk of death.
Article
Respiratory System
Dumitru Chesov, Jan Heyckendorf, Sofia Alexandru, Ana Donica, Elena Chesov, Maja Reimann, Valeriu Crudu, Victor Botnaru, Christoph Lange
Summary: Evaluation of bedaquiline-containing treatment regimens for pulmonary MDR-TB in Moldova showed higher sputum culture conversion rate, cure rate, and lower mortality rate compared to regimens without bedaquiline. Patients who previously failed on MDR-TB treatment also benefited from bedaquiline-containing regimens, with over 40% achieving a cure.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mohamed Khalfallah, Ayman Elsheikh, Ahmad Eissa, Basma Elnagar
Summary: This study found that resistant hypertension (RH) is prevalent among adult Egyptians, and patients with RH are at higher risk for major cardiovascular events compared to those with controlled blood pressure. Advanced age, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and NSAID use are the main predictors impacting the cardiovascular outcomes of RH.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yves Kwibuka, Chantal Nyirakanani, Jean Pierre Bizimana, Espoir Bisimwa, Yves Brostaux, Ludivine Lassois, Herve Vanderschuren, Sebastien Massart
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology of Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) and its drivers in the Uvira territory of Eastern D.R. Congo. By using a multivariate approach combining farmer's interview, field observation, sampling, and molecular detection, the research identified three clusters in the study area and revealed key socio-economic factors influencing disease epidemy.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kilongo Bulambo, Hossein Azadi, Sylvie Polepole, Monique Nabintu, Emmanuel Bembeleza, Paul Dontsop, Jules Masimane, Barbara Haurez, Mamadou Fofana, Ludivine Lassois
Summary: The study analyzes consumers' preferences and behaviors towards local and imported rice in DRC and highlights the potential for development in the rice value chain. Consumers focus on local rice due to its affordability, but desire higher-quality rice. The findings suggest the need for investment in production, post-harvest practices, and marketing to improve the demand for local rice and reduce the dependence on rice imports.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aime B. Heri-Kazi, Charles L. Bielders
Summary: Farmers in the highlands of South-Kivu have limited knowledge of soil erosion and conservation measures, with low adoption rates. Efforts need to be made to enhance awareness and capacity among farmers for the adoption of sustainable soil and water conservation techniques.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Review
Respiratory System
Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva, Malik Parmar, Yogesh Patel, Ritu Gupta, Sandeep Rathod, Sandeep Chauhan, Sridhar Anand, Ranjani Ramachandran
Summary: This document presents the evolution and progress in treatment outcomes among multidrug-resistant TB (DRTB) patients in India since 2005, as well as the challenges and opportunities in nationwide scale-up of evidence-based policies and services. Interventions introduced in recent years are enhancing survival and success rate in DR-TB patient cohorts.
EXPERT REVIEW OF RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Samantha Pillay, Margaretha de Vos, Brigitta Derendinger, Elizabeth Maria Streicher, Tania Dolby, Leere Ann Scott, Amy Debra Steinhobel, Rob Mark Warren, Grant Theron
Summary: The MTBDRsl assay fails to generate a result in almost half of smear-negatives, resulting in substantial missed resistance, but has high rule-in value. The study found that MTBDRsl has high sensitivity for fluoroquinolones and second-line injectable drugs, but low specificity for both.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Claire J. Calderwood, Byron W. P. Reeve, Tiffeney Mann, Zaida Palmer, Georgina Nyawo, Hridesh Mishra, Gcobisa Ndlangalavu, Ibrahim Abubakar, Mahdad Noursadeghi, Grant Theron, Rishi K. Gupta
Summary: This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a triage test for pulmonary TB among symptomatic adult outpatients. The results showed that CRP had moderate diagnostic accuracy and demonstrated clinical utility.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Georgina R. Nyawo, Charissa C. Naidoo, Benjamin Wu, Imran Sulaiman, Jose C. Clemente, Yonghua Li, Stephanie Minnies, Byron W. P. Reeve, Suventha Moodley, Cornelia Rautenbach, Colleen Wright, Shivani Singh, Andrew Whitelaw, Pawel Schubert, Robin Warren, Leopoldo Segal, Grant Theron
Summary: This study investigated the lymph node microbiome in tuberculosis lymphadenitis (TBL) patients and found that the microbiome in TBL lymph nodes is diverse. Different microbial communities are associated with different clinical features and immunomodulatory potentials. These findings lay the groundwork for studying the role of the microbiome in lymphatic TB.
Review
Immunology
Patrick D. M. C. Katoto, Mireille A. M. Kakubu, Jacques L. L. Tamuzi, Amanda S. S. Brand, Adaeze Ayuk, Liliane N. N. Byamungu, Charles S. S. Wiysonge, Glenda Gray
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine in immunocompromised adolescents and young adults through a meta-analysis of post-marketing studies. The results showed that the BNT162b2 vaccine is safe and effective in immunocompromised individuals, although the evidence quality is low to moderate due to bias risk.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sri Gowtham Thakku, Jackson Lirette, Kanagavel Murugesan, Julie Chen, Grant Theron, Niaz Banaei, Paul C. Blainey, James Gomez, Sharon Y. Wong, Deborah T. Hung
Summary: This study presents a new method called WATSON that can detect microbial cell-free DNA (cfDNA) for diagnosing infection. WATSON utilizes pooled amplification and CRISPR/Cas13-based detection to improve the detection of cfDNA compared to traditional methods. This approach shows potential for point-of-care diagnostic tests for infectious diseases.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick D. M. C. Katoto, Sandra L. Mukasa, Mahmoud U. Sani, Kamilu M. Karaye, Irina Mbanze, Albertino Damasceno, Ana O. Mocumbi, Anastase Dzudie, Karen Sliwa, Friedrich Thienemann
Summary: The study examined factors associated with increased right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and the effect of HIV status on survival rate in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD) in sub-Saharan Africa. Exposure to biomass fuel smoke, moderate to severe NYHA/FC, and unknown HIV status predicted increased RVSP at the time of presentation. HIV infection, NYHA/FC, and alcohol consumption were associated with decreased survival probabilities after 6 months. The study also found that an incremental rise in RVSP and inter-ventricular septal thickness resulted in an increased probability of mortality due to PH-LHD, while an increase in BMI reduced the risk of death.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marilyn A. Couch, Patrick D. M. C. Katoto, Samuel Fikiri Cinini, Charles S. Wiysonge
Summary: Concerns about COVID-19 vaccination safety have led to hesitancy and decreased uptake worldwide. Vaccine hesitancy varies across continents, countries, ethnic groups, and age groups, resulting in global inequities. Africa has the lowest COVID-19 coverage globally, with only 22% of its population fully vaccinated. Misinformation on social media, especially regarding depopulating Africa, may have contributed to vaccine acceptance challenges in the region. This study explores determinants of low vaccination coverage that have received limited attention in primary research and highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to ensure trust and convince individuals of the benefits of vaccination.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Patrick DMC. Katoto, Jacques L. Tamuzi, Amanda S. Brand, Diana M. Marangu, Liliane N. Byamungu, Charles S. Wiysonge, Glenda Gray
Summary: This study investigates the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine in adolescents against symptomatic and severe COVID-19 diseases, the impact of COVID-19 variants on vaccine effectiveness, and the effect of age and time on vaccine effectiveness.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Muki Shehu Shey, Avuyonke Balfour, Nomawethu Masina, Abulele Bekiswa, Charlotte Schutz, Rene Goliath, Rachel Dielle, Patrick DMC. Katoto, Katalin Andrea Wilkinson, David Lewinsohn, Deborah Anne Lewinsohn, Graeme Meintjes
Summary: In this study, it was found that individuals who showed resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection despite sustained exposure had lower secretion of IFN-gamma, a cytokine traditionally associated with Mtb infection. However, these individuals showed similar secretion levels of other immune response-related cytokines and chemokines, indicating their ability to mount non-IFN-gamma immune responses to Mtb infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Patrick D. M. C. Katoto, Liliane N. Byamungu, Amanda S. Brand, Jacques L. Tamuzi, Mireille A. M. Kakubu, Charles S. Wiysonge, Glenda Gray
Summary: Myocarditis and pericarditis occur at a low rate in adolescents after receiving the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine, with a higher risk after the second dose in males. National programs are advised to use a causality framework to reduce overreporting and extend the inter-dose interval policy to decrease the occurrence of myocarditis/pericarditis.
Review
Respiratory System
Ashar Dhana, Rishi K. Gupta, Yohhei Hamada, Andre P. Kengne, Andrew D. Kerkhoff, Christina Yoon, Adithya Cattamanchi, Byron W. P. Reeve, Grant Theron, Gcobisa Ndlangalavu, Robin Wood, Paul K. Drain, Claire J. Calderwood, Mahdad Noursadeghi, Tom Boyles, Graeme Meintjes, Gary Maartens, David A. Barr
Summary: This study compared the performance of WHO-recommended tuberculosis screening tools with two newly developed clinical prediction models (CPMs) among outpatient people living with HIV. The results showed that C-reactive protein (CRP) performed the best as a screening tool, and the choice between using CRP or a CPM depends on available resources.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Osagie A. Eribo, Charissa C. Naidoo, Grant Theron, Gerhard Walzl, Nelita du Plessis, Novel N. Chegou
Summary: This study aimed to develop a reproducible antibiotic-based model for manipulating the gut microbiota and engrafting B. fragilis into mice. Different combinations of antibiotics were evaluated for their efficacy in depleting the Bacteroides population, and a model involving metronidazole/clindamycin treatment followed by B. fragilis transplantation was found to consistently eliminate Bacteroides and facilitate B. fragilis engraftment. This model has potential use in investigating the role of Bacteroides in specific diseases.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mireille A. M. Kakubu, Tarisai Bikinesi, Patrick D. M. C. Katoto
Summary: Adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) can lead to poor adherence and HIV drug resistance mutations, negatively impacting the immune system. Anemia in HIV infection can have multiple causes, including direct effects of the virus on the bone marrow and opportunistic infections. ART drugs can also cause anemia. We report a case of persistent anemia, kidney injury, and treatment failure due to non-adherence to ART. The anemia was classified as Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA) and resolved after treatment modification and withdrawal of lamivudine (3TC).
OXFORD MEDICAL CASE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
S. Pillay, M. de Vos, H. Sohn, Y. Ghebrekristos, T. Dolby, R. M. Warren, G. Theron
Summary: Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) revolutionized TB diagnosis and its quantitative information can identify a subset of smear-negative specimens, allowing laboratories to perform drug susceptibility testing on them.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tobias Broger, Lisa Koeppel, Helena Huerga, Poppy Miller, Ankur Gupta-Wright, Francois-Xavier Blanc, Aliasgar Esmail, Byron W. P. Reeve, Marco Floridia, Andrew D Kerkhoff, Fausto Ciccacci, Margaret P. Kasaro, Swe Swe Thit, Mathieu Bastard, Gabriella Ferlazzo, Christina Yoon, DanielJ Van Hoving, Bianca Sossen, Juan Ignacio Garcia, Matthew J. Cummings, Rachel M. Wake, Josh Hanson, Adithya Cattamanchi, Graeme Meintjes, Gary Maartens, Robin Wood, Grant Theron, Keertan Dheda, Ioana Diana Olaru, Claudia M. Denkinger
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the diagnostic yield of urine-based tests with sputum-based tests for tuberculosis. The study found that urine-based lipoarabinomannan tests had a higher diagnostic yield than sputum-based nucleic acid amplification tests and sputum smear microscopy. Urine samples are readily available and are particularly important for HIV patients who cannot produce sputum.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
