The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Dec 2015
Serum CXCR3 ligands as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of tuberculosis.
Tertiary care academic medical centre. ⋯ CXCR3 ligands CXCL9 and CXCL11 may be useful surrogate markers for the diagnosis and follow-up of TB.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Dec 2015
Paediatric formulations of second-line anti-tuberculosis medications: challenges and considerations.
There is a growing number of children worldwide accessing second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB); however, there are very few child-friendly formulations. For paediatric use, dispersible tablets offer distinct advantages over liquid formulations and other approaches. This is particularly relevant for TB, where stability, long shelf-life and reduced manufacturing, transport and storage costs are all critical to ensuring that drugs are accessible and affordable. ⋯ Unfortunately, no second-line TB paediatric drugs exist in dispersible formulations. We discuss here the main obstacles to developing such tablets and present strategies for overcoming them. We also advocate for timely anticipation of paediatric use when new TB drugs are being developed, and for the development of child-friendly anti-tuberculosis formulations in general.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Dec 2015
Pediatric tuberculosis drug market: an insider perspective on challenges and solutions.
Representative stakeholders were consulted on how they felt access to pediatric tuberculosis (TB) drugs could be improved. A key recommendation is the development of new child-friendly, adequately dosed formulations with a good shelf life in all climate zones. ⋯ Manufacturers of pediatric TB medications are to be incentivized through improved coordination among all stakeholders, with streamlined regulatory approvals and increased consumer education on drug and regimen guidelines. Finally, pooled procurement is advised to ensure sustained market supply against affordable prices.
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With a quarter of the global burden of tuberculosis (TB) occurring in India, children in this country are at high risk of tuberculous infection and TB disease. India's Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme provides free diagnosis and treatment for children with TB using quality assured, weight-based individual drug boxes. ⋯ More attention needs to be paid to the provision of preventive therapy for household contacts aged <6 years as well as to the detection of multidrug-resistant TB among children. Case notification and the use of the Standards of TB Care in India are being strengthened in the private sector.