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 2011
The looming epidemic of diabetes-associated tuberculosis: learning lessons from HIV-associated tuberculosis.
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing at a dramatic rate, and countries in Asia, particularly India and China, will bear the brunt of this epidemic. Persons with diabetes have a significantly increased risk of active tuberculosis (TB), which is two to three times higher than in persons without diabetes. In this article, we argue that the epidemiological interactions and the effects on clinical presentation and treatment resulting from the interaction between diabetes and TB are similar to those observed for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and TB. ⋯ The response to the growing HIV-associated TB epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s was slow and uncoordinated, despite clearly articulated warnings about the scale of the forthcoming problem. We must not make the same mistake with diabetes and TB. The Framework provides a template for action, and it is now up to donors, policy makers and implementers to apply the recommendations in the field and to 'learn by doing'.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Oct 2011
Comparative StudyUse of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 in non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.
Serum biomarkers are rarely studied in patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD). ⋯ In patients with respiratory specimens that are culture-positive for NTM with clinical suspicion of NTM-LD, serum sTREM-1 level measurements may be helpful in diagnosing and predicting outcome for NTM-LD.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Oct 2011
Translating tuberculosis research into global policies: the example of an international collaboration on diagnostics.
Using the example of an international collaboration on tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics, we mapped the key stages and stakeholders involved in translating research into global policies. In our experience, the process begins with advocacy for high-quality, policy-relevant research and appropriate funding. Following the assessment of current policy and the identification of key study areas, policy-relevant research questions need to be formulated and prioritised. ⋯ This may be one reason why there has been poor uptake of new tools by national TB control programmes despite global policy recommendations. Stronger engagement with national policy makers and donors during the research-intopolicy process may be needed to ensure that their evidence requirements are met and that global policies translate into national policies. National policies are central to translating global policies into practice.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Oct 2011
Screening and follow-up of children exposed to tuberculosis cases, Luanda, Angola.
This prospective study enrolled children aged < 5 years with reported contact with adult tuberculosis (TB) patients in Angola. The study sample consisted of 124 children: 70 (56.5%) were active TB cases, 22 (17.7%) had latent TB infection (LTBI) and 32 (25.8%) were TB-exposed; 14 (20%) were human immunodeficiency virus positive. After 6 months of follow-up, 31.8% of the LTBI cases had evolved to active TB and 9.4% of the non-infected children had developed active TB. The strategy of simultaneous chest X-ray and TB skin test used in this study was effective; despite this protocol, however, 31.8% LTBI children developed active TB.