Latest scientific advances in the field of TB
- German Center for Infection Research: Paradigm shift in TB treatment: genome sequencing replaces standard resistance testing
Researchers have taken a critical step forward in the fight against TB: a large-scale genome analysis of over 10,000 pathogen strains has shown that genome sequencing can improve TB treatment. Furthermore: the method has the potential to completely replace time-intensive phenotypic resistance testing.
-- See also:
- The New England Journal of Medicine, Editorial: The coming of sge of drug-susceptibility testing for TB
- Medical Research Council: UK-led study marks shift towards genetic era in tackling TB
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In a new study, chemists report a new antibiotic that can find and kill tuberculosis bacteria where they hide.
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- Infectious Disease Advisor: Statins may decrease the risk for active TB
The use of statins may decrease the risk for active TB, according to the results of a study presented at IDWeek 2018, held 3-7 October 2018, in San Francisco, California, USA.
-- See also:
- MD Magazine: Statins reduce risk of active TB
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- University of Alberta: New urine test can detect TB in HIV-positive people
Point-of-care test could save lives by allowing faster diagnosis and treatment of the leading cause of death for people with HIV.
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- The Ohio State University: Inexpensive TB test holds promise for low-income countries
Study shows diagnostic test effective, easy to employ in Malawi.
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- Infectious Disease Advisor: New assay efficacious for diagnosing extrapulmonary TB and rifampin resistance
Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert®) may be helpful for confirming a diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB, and can accurately detect resistance to rifampicin, according to study results published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
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- Medical Xpress: Potential mechanism by which BCG vaccine lowers blood sugar levels to near normal in type 1 diabetes discovered
Previous research has shown that the bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, used to prevent TB, can reduce blood sugar levels in people with advanced type 1 diabetes in the long term. New research being presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Berlin, Germany (1-5 October) reveals the mechanism through which the vaccine can make durable, beneficial changes to the immune system and lower blood sugars.
