Article
Immunology
Nicole C. Ammerman, Eric L. Nuermberger, Andrew Owen, Steve P. Rannard, Caren Freel Meyers, Susan Swindells
Summary: This article provides an overview of the specific considerations and current preclinical advancements related to the development of long-acting technologies for tuberculosis drugs to treat latent infection, including target product profiles, suitability of drugs for long-acting formulations, ongoing research efforts, and translation to clinical studies.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Adriana Weinberg, Lisa Aaron, Grace Montepiedra, Timothy R. Sterling, Renee Browning, Blandina Mmbaga, Tichaona Vhembo, Shilpa Naik, Enid Kabugho, Gaerolwe Masheto, Savita Pahwa, Jyoti S. Mathad, Sylvia M. LaCourse, Katie McCarthy, Sarah Bradford, Gerhard Theron, Diane Costello, Bonnie Zimmer, Marie F. Pierre, Kamunkhwala Gausi, Paolo Denti, David W. Haas, Amita Gupta
Summary: This study found that immune suppression during pregnancy may lead to decreased QuantiFERON-gold-in-tube (QGIT) positivity for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) due to reduced interferon gamma responses. Tuberculin skin test (TST) was less affected by pregnancy and had lower positivity compared to QGIT. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) was associated with loss of QGIT positivity, suggesting potential clinical implications that need further investigation.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Greg J. Fox, Thu Anh Nguyen, Mikaela Coleman, Anete Trajman, Kavindhran Velen, Ben J. Marais
Summary: Strategies to support scale-up of tuberculosis preventive treatment in high-prevalence settings include placing patients at the center of policies, addressing health system requirements, and conducting further research to adapt to local contexts and develop shorter treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yan Liang, Xiaoping Li, Yourong Yang, Li Xiao, Yumei Liang, Jie Mi, Yong Xue, Wenping Gong, Lan Wang, Jie Wang, Junxian Zhang, Yingchang Shi, Bizhen Peng, Xiaoyang Chen, Weiguo Zhao, Xueqiong Wu
Summary: This study compared the effects of MTB ag85ab and 7 latent DNA vaccines on clearing and preventing activation of latent MTB in a mouse model of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The results showed that all vaccine groups significantly reduced the bacterial count and lesion degree in the lungs of mice, and induced antigen-specific cellular immune responses. Among them, MTB ag85ab and rv2659c, rv1733c DNA vaccines showed the most significant preventive effect.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Claire Broderick, Jacqueline M. Cliff, Ji-Sook Lee, Myrsini Kaforou, David A. J. Moore
Summary: The study found that individuals with immunological sensitisation to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) demonstrated differential blood gene expression patterns during preventive therapy (PT), reflecting the viability of Mtb. This could have significant implications for identifying risk of progression, treatment stratification, and biomarker development.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yemin Yuan, Jin Jin, Xiuli Bi, Hong Geng, Shixue Li, Chengchao Zhou
Summary: This study assessed the factors associated with refusal of tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) after initial willingness to accept treatment among college students with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The study found that non-medical students and those with moderate physical activity were more likely to refuse TPT, while students with boarding experience and a high level of knowledge about tuberculosis were less likely to refuse TPT. In addition, family factors such as father's educational level and household income also influenced students' refusal of treatment.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Sonya Krishnan, Richard E. Chaisson
Summary: In the global control of tuberculosis, providing tuberculosis-preventive therapy (TPT) to vulnerable populations is crucial. Shorter-course TPT regimens are highly effective and improve completion rates. Despite the inclusion of one month of rifapentine and isoniazid in global guidelines, current US TPT guidelines do not recommend this regimen, but they should.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Fei Wang, Yanli Ren, Kui Liu, Ying Peng, Xinyi Chen, Bin Chen, Jianmin Jiang
Summary: TB-related healthcare workers in eastern China have different attitudes towards TB preventive treatment, and there is a significant gap between attitudes and actual actions.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Haoran Zhang, Henan Xin, Ying Du, Xuefang Cao, Shouguo Pan, Jianmin Liu, Ling Guan, Fei Shen, Zisen Liu, Bin Zhang, Dakuan Wang, Boxuan Feng, Jiang Du, Xueling Guan, Yijun He, Yongpeng He, Zhanjiang Zhang, Jiaoxia Yan, Qi Jin, Lei Gao
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a six-week twice-weekly treatment regimen among individuals in rural China who had positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) results and radiologically inactive tuberculosis (TB) lesions. The results showed that the expected treatment effect was not observed for the six-week regimen in this study.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hung-Ling Huang, Jung-Yu Lee, Yu-Shu Lo, I-Hsin Liu, Sing-Han Huang, Yu-Wei Huang, Meng-Rui Lee, Chih-Hsin Lee, Meng-Hsuan Cheng, Po-Liang Lu, Jann-Yuan Wang, Jinn-Moon Yang, Inn-Wen Chong
Summary: This study successfully developed a predictive model for rifapentine-related systemic drug reactions using whole-blood transcriptomic data and machine learning methods, which performed well in different subgroups. It has important implications for establishing a safe and personalized program for latent tuberculosis infection.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Amyn A. Malik, Saira Farooq, Maria Jaswal, Hiba Khan, Kumail Nasir, Usama Fareed, Shumail Shahbaz, Farhana Amanullah, Nauman Safdar, Aamir J. Khan, Salmaan Keshavjee, Mercedes C. Becerra, Hamidah Hussain
Summary: The study showed that in a low-resource setting in south Asia, the use of daily isoniazid and rifapentine for one month as tuberculosis prevention in children and adolescents is safe and feasible. 63% of household contacts successfully completed all stages of the prevention cascade, and 94% of those who initiated the 1HP regimen completed it.
LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Guiyi Ji, Miaomiao Zhang, Qianqian Liu, Shouquan Wu, Yu Wang, Guo Chen, Andrew J. Sandford, Jian-Qing He
Summary: The study found that single nucleotide polymorphisms of the NFE2L2 gene are associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis, potentially impacting the occurrence of tuberculosis through regulation of NFE2L2's transcriptional activity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Vannesa Yue May Teng, Yan Ting Chua, Eunice En Ni Lai, Shilpa Mukherjee, Jessica Michaels, Chen Seong Wong, Liang Shen, Yee Sin Leo, Barnaby Young, Sophia Archuleta, Catherine W. M. Ong
Summary: The study found that screening for latent TB infection is low among HIV-TB co-infected patients in Singapore, and initiation of ART treatment may be delayed for some patients. It was also noted that pulmonary TB patients with HIV can still be infectious despite showing a normal chest x-ray.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zirwatul Adilah Aziz, Noorliza Mohamad Noordin, Wan Mazlina Wan Mohd, Mohd Amin Kasim
Summary: Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis infection (TBI) are crucial for tuberculosis elimination. A new digital lateral flow assay, QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB (QIAreach QFT), showed high agreement with QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) assay in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and overall agreement. QIAreach QFT could serve as an accurate and reliable point-of-need test for TB infection diagnosis, especially in decentralized settings with limited laboratory expertise and infrastructure.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Molebogeng X. Rangaka, Mike Frick, Gavin Churchyard, Alberto L. Garcia-Basteiro, Mark Hatherill, Willem Hanekom, Philip C. Hill, Yohhei Hamada, Matthew Quaife, Johan Vekemans, Richard G. White, Frank Cobelens
Summary: This paper discusses the urgent need for new tuberculosis vaccines and improved tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) regimens. It examines how HIV vaccine trials have incorporated preventive treatment and proposes trial designs that integrate TPT. The considerations for each design in terms of trial validity, efficiency, participant safety, and ethics are summarized.
LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ntwali Placide Nsengiyumva, Jonathon R. Campbell, Olivia Oxlade, Juan F. Vesga, Christian Lienhardt, Anete Trajman, Dennis Falzon, Saskia Den Boon, Nimalan Arinaminpathy, Kevin Schwartzman
Summary: This study analyzed the cost-effectiveness of scaling up tuberculosis preventive treatment regimens in Brazil and South Africa. The results showed that expanding the use of these regimens would significantly improve the effectiveness of tuberculosis prevention and treatment and would be cost-effective or cost-saving.
Article
Infectious Diseases
A. Trajman, I Felker, L. C. Alves, I Coutinho, M. Osman, S-A Meehan, U. B. Singh, Y. Schwartz
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected tuberculosis services, leading to setbacks in mortality and detection. Tuberculosis may increase COVID-19 fatality and incidence. However, the pandemic has also provided opportunities for improving tuberculosis care.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
I. Felker, A. Trajman
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2023)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Anete Trajman, Thierno Diallo, Dick Menzies
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Susan Martins Pereira, Florisneide Rodrigues Barreto, Ramon Andrade de Souza, Carlos Antonio de Souza Teles Santos, Marcos Pereira, Enny Santos da Paixao, Carla Cristina Oliveira de Jesus Lima, Marcio Santos da Natividade, Ana Angelica Bulcao Portela Lindoso, Eder Gatti Fernandes, Evonio Barros Campelo Campelo Junior, Julia Moreira Pescarini, Kaio Vinicius Freitas de Andrade, Fernanda Mattos de Souza, Elisangela Alves de Britto, Ceuci Nunes, Maria Yuri Ichihara, Margareth Dalcolmo, Anete Trajman, Manoel Barral-Netto, Ibrahim Abubakar, Mauricio Lima Barreto, Ricardo Arraes de Alencar Ximenes, Laura Cunha Rodrigues
Summary: This study investigated the association between previous BCG vaccination and the severity of COVID-19 clinical progression. The results showed that BCG vaccination was highly protective against clinical progression of COVID-19, especially in individuals aged 60 or younger.
Review
Infectious Diseases
C. Geric, Z. Z. Qin, C. M. Denkinger, S. V. Kik, B. Marais, A. Anjos, P-M. David, F. Ahmad Khan, A. Trajman
Summary: The article provides an overview of the latest evidence on computer-aided detection (CAD) software for TB detection in chest radiographs. CAD is a useful tool for rapid and consistent interpretation of chest radiographs for TB detection, with high sensitivity and accuracy comparable to human readers. However, there are implementation challenges including diagnostic heterogeneity, lack of resources for threshold selection, and difficulties in standardization due to frequent updates of CAD versions. Validation for TB diagnosis in children and accuracy in identifying non-TB abnormalities are yet to be evaluated. Economic and political issues also need to be addressed for regulation and to avoid health inequities. Overall, CAD-based CXR analysis shows promise but needs to address these issues to meet the needs of high-burden settings and vulnerable populations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
J. P. Cola, T. Nascimento do Prado, K. B. A. Alves, J. R. Lapa e Silva, A. Trajman, J. E. Golub, R. E. Chaisson, E. L. N. Maciel
Summary: The study analyzed the factors associated with non-completion of tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) in Brazil. It found that individuals aged 15-60 years, using isoniazid, and belonging to the Black/mixed race were more likely to not complete the preventive therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Ole Skouvig Pedersen, Freja Breth Holmgaard, Mads Kristian Duborg Mikkelsen, Christoph Lange, Giovanni Sotgiu, Troels Lillebaek, Aase Bengaard Andersen, Christian Morberg Wejse, Victor Naestholt Dahl
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the proportion of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis patients globally who achieved successful treatment outcomes. The pooled proportion of successful treatment outcomes was found to be 44.2%, far below the WHO's target rate of 75%. These results may serve as a reference for future studies assessing extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment outcomes.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Raquel Villar-Hernandez, Arash Ghodousi, Olha Konstantynovska, Raquel Duarte, Christoph Lange, Mario Raviglione
Summary: Despite efforts to end tuberculosis (TB), the disease remains a major global health threat and is the second leading cause of death due to an infectious agent. Progress in reducing TB incidence and mortality rates has been slow, further worsened by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, pose additional challenges in reducing the burden of TB. Urgent and comprehensive multi-sectoral actions, supported by investment in research and global innovation, are needed to overcome these challenges and work towards ending TB.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Elena Chesov, Dumitru Chesov, Maja Reimann, Viola Dreyer, Christian Utpatel, Matthias I. Groeschel, Nelly Ciobanu, Valeriu Crudu, Christoph Lange, Jan Heyckendorf, Matthias Merker
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Niklas Koehler, Hande Karakoese, Hans-Peter Grobbel, Doris Hillemann, Soenke Andres, Christina Koenig, Barbara Kalsdorf, Thomas Theo Brehm, Laura Boettcher, Inna Friesen, Harald Hoffmann, Drazen Strelec, Dagmar Schaub, Charles A. Peloquin, Stefan Schmiedel, Laurent A. Decosterd, Eva Choong, Sebastian G. Wicha, Rob E. Aarnoutse, Christoph Lange, Patricia M. Carballo
Summary: This study developed a multiplex assay for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients. The assay demonstrated sufficient sensitivity and accuracy to support clinical decision making and was successfully applied in two patients.
Article
Respiratory System
Francesca Saluzzo, Victor Abiola Adepoju, Raquel Duarte, Christoph Lange, Patrick P. J. Phillips
Summary: In the past 2 years, significant progress has been made in shortening tuberculosis treatment through clinical trials. These trials have provided evidence of the effectiveness of new and repurposed drugs, leading to the development of shorter regimens for drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant TB. However, there are still questions regarding linezolid dose finding, the emergence of bedaquiline-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the applicability of these results to pediatric patients. Ongoing trials may provide additional reliable evidence to address these outstanding questions in TB treatment shortening.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Thomas Hone, Jasper Been, Valeria Saraceni, Claudia Medina Coeli, Anete Trajman, Davide Rasella, Betina Durovni, Christopher Millett
Summary: This study examines the impact of maternal utilization of family health strategy (FHS) services on infant health outcomes. The findings suggest that FHS usage by low-income mothers before or in the first two trimesters is associated with a significant reduction in neonatal and infant mortality, as well as increased antenatal care consultations and a lower risk of low birth weight and preterm birth.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-AMERICAS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Iane Coutinho, Layana Costa Alves, Guilherme Loureiro Werneck, Anete Trajman
Summary: The study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) in Brazil and found a significant decrease in TPT prescriptions in 2021. However, treatment adherence remained constant, indicating the need to expand access to TPT.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-AMERICAS
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Anca Vasiliu, Antonia Morita Iswari Saktiawati, Raquel Duarte, Christoph Lange, Daniela Maria Cirillo
Summary: Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally, and early and accurate diagnosis plays a crucial role in reducing its burden. However, the implementation of molecular diagnostic tests in resource-limited settings faces various challenges, which require innovative solutions.