The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
-
Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Sep 2010
Clinical TrialSerum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 concentrations increase during tuberculosis treatment in Tanzania.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with susceptibility to active tuberculosis (TB) in many settings. In vitro studies and studies on human volunteers showed that two of the first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin, reduce 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations. ⋯ 25[OH]D serum concentrations increased during the first 2 months of TB treatment in 81 PTB patients in northern Tanzania. Improved dietary intake and increased sunlight exposure may have contributed to the increased 25[OH]D concentrations.
-
Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Sep 2010
Elevated plasma adiponectin levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory adipokine that may play a role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. ⋯ Our findings suggest that in COPD patients, adiponectin might be associated with COPD pathogenesis.
-
Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Sep 2010
The changing pattern of clinical Mycobacterium avium isolation in the Netherlands.
National Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, The Netherlands. ⋯ The increasing NTM notification in the Netherlands is unlikely to have been a result of laboratory improvements alone: the ageing population with an increasing prevalence of COPD is likely as important. Environmental characteristics may specifically favour M.avium.
-
Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Jul 2010
ReviewWorkplace spirometry monitoring for respiratory disease prevention: a methods review.
This report reviews methods applicable in workplace spirometry monitoring for the identification of individuals with excessive lung function decline. Specific issues addressed include 1) maintaining longitudinal spirometry data precision at an acceptable level so that declines due to adverse physiological processes in the lung can be readily detected in an individual; 2) applying interpretative strategies that have a high likelihood of identifying workers at risk of developing lung function impairment; and 3) enhancing effectiveness of spirometry monitoring for intervention and disease prevention. Applications in ongoing computerized spirometry monitoring programs are described that demonstrate approaches to improving spirometry data precision and quality, and facilitating informed decision-making on disease prevention.
-
Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Jul 2010
Inconsistent dosing of anti-tuberculosis drugs in Taipei, Taiwan.
Taipei City, Taiwan. ⋯ The prescribing practices for anti-tuberculosis drugs were substandard and need improvement. These findings imply that the National TB Programme needs strengthening.