scholarly journals Continued challenges for TB control in Australia

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
Vicki L Krause

Australia ranks as having one of the lowest rates of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), however, presents new challenges. With a recognised history of having one of the best TB control programs in the world, we need to maintain it, assure the most at-risk groups have comprehensive and supported screening and treatment programs and share our experience and expertise in our region and globally.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Umer Farooq ◽  

Tuberculosis is re-emerging in the form of drug resistant causing deaths of humans throughout the world. In 2015, WHO estimates, this disease developed in 10.4 million and causes death in 1.8 million human population. Moreover, new challenges like TB/HIV co-infection, MDR-TB is resisting to the preventive measures for controlling TB worldwide


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 530
Author(s):  
Giovanni Granati ◽  
Francesca Cichella ◽  
Pia Lucidi

Raptors are some of the most at-risk groups of birds in the world and saving these top predators is essential for maintaining the health of many ecosystems. After hospitalization, raptors are often released when muscular recovery is still unfitting when they are unable to hunt efficiently and are at risk of dying from starvation within a few days. On the other hand, if a convalescent bird is trained with the only use of classic falconry techniques, it is likely to remain dependent on the caretaker/falconer even long after the release, so unable to hunt independently. To overcome these problems, a new training method was conceived, which could improve raptors’ muscular strength while limiting habituation to humans. This has been possible due to the combination of classic falconry techniques and modern technologies, such as the introduction of specific workouts with drones. Three falconry raptors and one wild Eurasian hobby were trained through high-tech falconry to develop the ability to catch, grasp, and airlift their prey at a different speed, altitude, and resistance. The main findings of this study were: (i) The rapid increase of the raptors’ speed; (ii) the muscular growth and endurance, and (iii) successful reintroduction of a wild bird.


2021 ◽  
pp. 109019812098678
Author(s):  
Laura M. Johnson ◽  
Harold D. Green ◽  
Brandon Koch ◽  
Robert Harding ◽  
Jamila K. Stockman ◽  
...  

Background Medical mistrust is a barrier to engaging in HIV prevention and treatment, including testing and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Research often focuses on how race and experiences of discrimination relate to medical mistrust, overlooking the role that other characteristics may play (e.g., history of physical abuse, diagnosis of mental illness). Furthermore, studies are often restricted to samples of men who have sex with men and findings may not generalize to other at-risk groups. Aims The current study explores a range of demographic, cognitive, behavioral, and social network correlates of medical mistrust. Method This study employed an egocentric network design among a racially diverse sample of at-risk women and women in their social networks ( n = 165). Results Results from multivariable linear regressions stratified by race (Black vs. others) indicate that medical mistrust is associated with both individual-level and network-level characteristics. Across both groups, age and experiences of racial discrimination were associated with higher medical mistrust. Having a regular sex partner and having a higher proportion of network members who are family was significantly associated with medical mistrust among non-Black women. Discussion Individual-level and network-level variables were significantly associated with medical mistrust. Therefore, interventions that attempt to mitigate medical mistrust as a barrier to HIV prevention and treatment should consider how mistrust may be related to characteristics of individuals and broader contexts. Conclusion Health interventions may benefit from conceiving of medical mistrust as a complex, rational response to cumulative discriminatory life experiences and a reflection of the networks within which individuals are embedded.


Author(s):  
Pavitra Solanki ◽  
Yasmin Sultana ◽  
Satyavir Singh

Everybody is at risk of being infected by drug-resistant microscopic organisms. Managing with sickness has never been less demanding within the history of our species. At the current rate of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microbes, specialists foresee that battling infections tuberculosis, HIV, and intestinal sickness will become more complicated. Antimicrobial resistance is rendering numerous life-saving drugs useless. Antibiotic-resistant microbes, known as “superbugs,” are getting to be more various and more harmful, thanks to the proceeding abuse of anti-microbials. Natural medication offers an alternative to these progressively ineffectual drugs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), traditional medicine is a holistic term enclosing diverse health practices. Concurring to a report by the College of Maryland Therapeutic Center, turmeric's volatile oil serves as a common anti-microbial.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
S B Marahatta ◽  
J Kaewkungwal ◽  
P Ramasoota ◽  
P Singhasivanon

Introduction Tuberculosis is the most widespread infectious disease in Nepal and poses a serious threat to the health and development of the country. Incidences of drug resistant tuberculosis in Nepal are increasing and this tuberculosisis a major threat to successfully controlling tuberculosis . Objective The general objective of the study was to assess the risk factors of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis among the patients attending the National Tuberculosis Centre, Bhaktpur Nepal. Methods An observational study/ case-control study with a Atotal number of 55 multi-drug resistant tuberculosis cases and 55 controls. The study was conducted among the patient attending in the National Tuberculosis Centre , Bhaktpur Nepal for six months, between May–October 2010. sImulti-drug resistant tuberculosis wasThe collected data was analysed in SPSS 11.5 version. The association between categorical variables were analysed by chi-square tests, OR and their 95% CI were measured. Results The total number of patients used for the study was 110, of which among them 55 were cases and 55 were controls . Our study revealed that there were significant associations between history of prior TB MDR-TB OR =2.799 (95 % CI 1.159 to 6.667) (p=0.020); smoking habit OR =2.350 and (95%CI 1.071 to 5.159) (p=0.032); social stigma social stigma OR 2.655 (95%CI r 1.071 to 5.159) (p=0.013); knowledge on MDR-TB OR =9.643 (95% CI 3.339 to 27.846) (p < 0.001)and knowledge on DOTS Plus OR=16.714 (95% CI is ranging from 4.656 to 60.008) (p< 0.001). However, there was no association found between alcohol drinking habits and ventilation in the room. Conclusion Our study revealed that there were significant associations between history of prior tuberculosis, smoking habit social stigma social stigma, knowledge on multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and knowledge on DOTS Plus with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis However there was no association between alcohol drinking habit and ventilation in room with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i4.6238 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(4):392-7


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
R. P. Bichha ◽  
K. K. Jha ◽  
V. S. Salhotra ◽  
A. P. Weerakoon ◽  
K. B. Karki ◽  
...  

Introduction: Drug resistant tuberculosis is a threat to tuberculosis control worldwide. Previous anti- tuberculosis treatment is a widely reported risk factor for multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), whereas other risk factors are less well described. In Nepal National Tuberculosis Control Programme initiated DOTSPLUS Pilot project from September 2005 using standardized treatment regimen.Objective: To explore the risk factors for MDR-TB in Nepal.Methodology: Institution based matched case control study with a case: control ratio of 1:2 was carried out in three regions of Nepal. Fifty five cases and 110 controls were selected. Current MDR-TB patients on treatment from DOTS–Plus clinic were enrolled as cases. Controls were age, sex matched cured TB patients and who had completed treatment either from the same centre or any DOTS Centre adjacent to that DOTS Plus Centre. Data was collected by a trained research assistant using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Matched analysis was done using SPSS 16 version. Confounding effects were controlled by using matching, matched analysis and regression analysis.Results: In matched analysis following were the significant risk factors for MDR-TB in Nepal.(1) HIV Sero positivity (OR 15.9, CI 1.9- 133.0) (2) Travel cost more than 50 NRs per day (OR 6.5, CI 2.4- 9.8) (3) Contact history of TB (OR 3.8, CI 2.2- 6.6) (4) Living in a nuclear family (OR 6.0, CI 2.6- 13.9)(5) Non adherence to DOTS (OR 18.6, CI 2.27- 151.0) (6) Distance to treatment centre more than 5 Km ( OR 3.9, CI 1.5- 10.) (7) Previous history of TB ( OR 12.0, CI 5.4 -26.5)(8) Living in a rural area (OR 4, CI 2.1- 8.5) (9) Unmarried (Crude OR 3.3,CI 1.6- 6.8) (10) Un-employment (OR 3.4,CI 1.6-7.6)(11) Living in a rented house (OR 3.5, CI 1.77- 3.67) (12) Single bed room (OR 2.8, CI 1.13- 6.9).  Using muti-variate analysis except living in a rented house and single bed room other variables were positive significant predictors for MDR –TB in Nepal.Conclusions: Many risk factors were related to the DOTS. Strengthening of DOTS programme to tackle the identified risk factors can reduce the MDR –TB burden in Nepal.SAARC Journal of Tuberculosis, Lung Diseases and HIV/AIDS, Vol. 14, No. 2, 2017, Page: 31-38


Author(s):  
Rubeena Hakkak ◽  
Saqib Rishi ◽  
Javid Ahmed Bhat

India is the highest TB burden country in the world having an estimated incidence of 26.9 lakh cases in 2019. With a population of 1.32 billion, India has the highest burden of drug resistant TB (DR-TB) in the world. North zone of India is the second highest MDR-TB prevalent zone after the West zone of India. MDR TB treatment involves prolonged treatment with injectable second-line drugs, associated with more adverse effects, suboptimal treatment outcomes and higher risks of mortality compared to patients with drug-sensitive TB and those with lesser resistant forms of TB. Materials methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the department of Microbiology Government Medical College Anantnag, data was analyzed from March 2017 to February 2018. Non-sterile specimens were processed by Modified Petroff Method. Sterile specimens were concentrated by centrifugation and smear and cultures was inoculated from the sediment. CBNAAT assay was performed by Gene Xpert (Cepheid) 4 system according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. Results: Of the total 1497 clinically suspected tuberculosis specimens collected, 1370 (91.5%) were pulmonary and 127 (8.5%) were presumptive extra pulmonary tuberculosis received from different anatomical sites. Maximum clustering of cases was seen in 10-20 years age group. Out of the total 1497 samples 200 were CBNAAT confirmed Mycobacterium Tuberculosis positive samples. In which 155 were pulmonary and 45 were extra pulmonary. The average percentage positivity rate (i.e. percentage of MTB positive samples out of total samples tested) was 13.3% (200/1497).  Rifampicin resistance (RR-TB) was seen in 5.5% (11/200) samples. Out of the samples detected positive (200): 155 were pulmonary samples and out of these 155 pulmonary samples 8 were found to be RR MTB 5.1% (8/155).  Also out of the 200 positive samples 45 were extra pulmonary and out of these 45 extra pulmonary samples 3 were found to be RR MTB 6.6% (3/45). Conclusion: In this study we found that in our region 5.5%  cases of TB were RR-TB, 3.2% were new cases and 13% RR-TB was seen in  previously treated cases of MTB. The screening of drug resistance has to be expanded to offer universal DST including expanded DST .The second and most important activity is to strengthen drug resistance surveillance under the various national programs with inclusion of laboratories in the private sector as well. The state level regional studies also give us the opportunity to plan and execute intervention prioritization, based on the drug resistance trends observed.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0253826
Author(s):  
Amal Oudghiri ◽  
Ghizlane Momen ◽  
Achraf Aainouss ◽  
Amin Laglaoui ◽  
My Driss El Messaoudi ◽  
...  

In Morocco, the prevalence of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) continues to increase especially within previously treated cases; these MDR cases may evolve to extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) raising major concern to TB control programs. From an epidemiological window, scarce informations are available about the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains fueling these forms of resistance. The aim of this study was to assess to genetic diversity of MDR-MTB strains. Hence, this prospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with MDR-TB at Pasteur Institute of Casablanca from 2010 to 2013. A total of 70 MDR-MTB isolates were genotyped by spoligotyping and 15-loci MIRU-VNTR methods. Spoligotyping generated four orphan patterns, five unique profiles whereas 61 strains were grouped in nine clusters (2 to 25 strains per cluster), the clustering rates being 87.1%. Subtyping by 15 loci MIRU-VNTR splitted all clusters already established by spoligotyping and generated 70 unique profiles not recognized in SITVIT2 database; clustering rate was equal to zero. HGDI analysis of 15 loci MIRU demonstrated that eight out of 15 loci were highly discriminant. Of note, all pre-XDR strains belongs to many clades, meaning that there no association between gyrA mutants and particular clade. Overall, the data generated by this study (i) describe the population structure of MDR MTBC in Morocco which is highly homogenous, (ii) confirm that TB in Morocco is almost exclusively transmitted by modern and evolutionary lineages with high level of biodiversity seen by MIRU, and (iii) validate the use of optimized 15-loci MIRU-VNTR format for future investigations in Morocco.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 238-47
Author(s):  
Charles Batte ◽  
Martha S Namusobya ◽  
Racheal Kirabo ◽  
John Mukisa ◽  
Susan Adakun ◽  
...  

Background: In Uganda, 12% of previously treated TB cases and 1.6% of new cases have MDR-TB and require specialized treatment and care. Adherence is crucial for improving MDR-TB treatment outcomes. There is paucity of information on the extent to which these patients adhere to treatment and what the drivers of non-adherence are. Methods: We conducted a cohort study using retrospectively collected routine program data for patients treated for MDR- TB between January 2012 – May 2016 at Mulago Hospital. We extracted anonymized data on non-adherence (missing 10% or more of DOT), socio-economic, demographic, and treatment characteristics of the patients. All participants were sen- sitive to MDR-TB drugs after second line Drug Susceptible Testing (DST) at entry into the study. Factors associated with non-adherence to MDR-TB treatment were determined using generalized linear models for the binomial family with log link and robust standard errors. We considered a p- value less than 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: The records of 227 MDR- TB patients met the inclusion criteria, 39.4% of whom were female, 32.6% aged be- tween 25 – 34 years, and 54.6% living with HIV/AIDS. About 11.9% of the patients were non-adherent. The main driver for non-adherence was history of previous DR-TB treatment; previously treated DR-TB patients were 3.46 (Adjusted prev- alence ratio: 3.46, 95 % CI: 1.68 - 7.14) times more likely to be non-adherent. Conclusion: One in 10 MDR-TB patients treated at Mulago hospital is non-adherent to treatment. History of previous DR- TB treatment was significantly associated with non-adherence in this study. MDR-TB program should strengthen adherence counselling, strengthen DST surveillance, and close monitoring for previously treated DR-TB patients. Keywords: Non-adherence; multi-drug resistant tuberculosis; treatment.


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