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. · Nov 2014
Association of surfactant protein B gene with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease susceptibility.
Genetic predisposition, in addition to smoking, is known to play a key role in susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several candidate genes have been proposed for COPD, including surfactant protein B (SFTPB). However, large studies in populations with different ethnic backgrounds and environments are required to clarify the role of SFTPB in COPD. ⋯ SFTPB variants are associated with COPD susceptibility and lung function in the Chinese Han population.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Nov 2014
Extending tuberculosis notification to the private sector in India: programmatic challenges?
In May 2012, the Government of India declared tuberculosis a notifiable disease, requiring all public and private health sectors throughout the country to report all cases. Until then, TB disease was notifiable only by public authorities. ⋯ Stricter enforcement backed by regulation and punitive measures for non-compliance, along with vigilant mechanisms in place to monitor private health facilities, is required. Massive campaigns and advocacy programmes for a notification drive may be the way forward.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Nov 2014
Case ReportsInitial experience of bedaquiline use in a series of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients from India.
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major problem both in India and worldwide. Newer drugs such as TMC-207 (bedaquiline) may have an important role to play in making up an effective drug regimen in such cases. ⋯ Our series of five patients is the first series of DR-TB patients from India to receive bedaquiline. All five patients showed striking improvement, with microbiological conversion and an absence of notable adverse effects (e.g., prolonged QTcF), indicating the potential impact of this drug in such a population.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Nov 2014
Respiratory effects in children from passive smoking of cigarettes and narghile: ISAAC Phase Three in Syria.
The association between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and asthma symptoms is well documented, but a causal relationship is inconclusive. International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Three was the first to report a dose-response relationship between current wheezing and exposure to parental cigarette smoke. As exposure of children to water pipe (narghile) smoke is of concern in Syria, in the ISAAC Phase Three Tartous Centre we also examined the role of parental smoking of the narghile. ⋯ We recommend that international studies investigating ETS include questions on narghile smoking.