Indian J Med Res
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Revisiting the chingleput BCG vaccination trial for the impact of BCG revaccination on the incidence of tuberculosis disease.
Vaccines play a crucial role in the prevention of tuberculosis (TB). Revaccination with Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for the prevention of TB is an important strategy that is currently gaining interest. The objective of this study was to reanalyze the community-based Chingleput BCG vaccination trial for protective efficacy of BCG revaccination against incident TB disease. ⋯ Retrospective data analysis of this community-based trial revealed that BCG revaccination in a community offered modest protection against the development of TB disease at the end of 15 years which, however, requires further evaluation.
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Chest X-ray (CXR) is an important screening tool for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Accessibility to CXR facilities in difficult-to-reach and underserved populations is a challenge. This can potentially be overcome by deploying digital X-ray machines that are portable. However, these portable X-ray machines need to be validated before their deployment in the field. Here, we compare the image quality of CXR taken by a newly developed handheld X-ray machine with routinely used reference digital X-ray machine through the conduct of a feasibility study. ⋯ The current study shows that a handheld X-ray machine, which is easy to use and can potentially be carried to any area, produces X-ray images with quality that is comparable to digital X-ray machines routinely used in health facilities.
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This study was aimed at estimating the proportion among sputum smear-positive tuberculosis (TB) patients diagnosed at a tertiary care centre in India, who did not undergo universal drug-susceptibility testing (UDST), assessing the sociodemographic and morbidity-related factors associated with it, ascertaining the reasons for not getting tested and estimating the proportion with any drug resistance (DR). ⋯ The present findings point towards a need to sensitize healthcare workers and TB patients to improve UDST.
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Observational Study
Pharmacokinetics of rifampicin, isoniazid & pyrazinamide during daily & intermittent dosing: A preliminary study.
The National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme has transitioned from thrice-weekly to daily drug treatment regimens in India. This preliminary study was conceived to compare the pharmacokinetics of rifampicin (RMP), isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PZA) in TB patients being treated with daily and thrice weekly anti-TB treatment (ATT). ⋯ RMP concentrations were higher and INH concentrations were lower during daily ATT, suggesting that INH doses may need to be increased in case of a daily regimen. Larger studies are, however, required using higher INH doses when monitoring for adverse drug reactions and treatment outcomes.