Clinical Significance, Species Distribution, and Temporal Trends of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, Denmark, 1991-2022.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging as notable causative agents of opportunistic infections. To examine clinical significance, species distribution, and temporal trends of NTM in Denmark, we performed a nationwide register-based study of all unique persons with NTM isolated in the country during 1991-2022. We categorized patients as having definite disease, possible disease, or isolation by using a previously validated method.

Incidence and clinical significance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria among migrants in Denmark: A nationwide register-based cohort study from 1991 through 2021.

Background: There is limited knowledge about non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in migrants. We aimed to assess the incidence and clinical significance of NTM among migrants in Denmark.

Method: Nationwide register-based cohort study of migrants with a positive NTM culture in Denmark from 1991 through 2021, stratified by patient demographics, disease localisation, species, and clinical significance.

The impact of living conditions and health interventions on tuberculosis, Denmark, 1876 to 2022.

BackgroundDenmark possesses an exceptional historical data collection on tuberculosis (TB) from 1876 to the present, providing a unique opportunity to assess TB epidemiology over 147 years in Denmark.AimOur aim was to describe the TB disease burden in Denmark in relation to historical events, living conditions and health interventions during the past 147 years.MethodsWe performed a nationwide register-based ecological study including all persons with TB in Denmark from 1876 through 2022, correlating the TB incidence to social, economic and health indicators.

Ventriculostomy-associated infection (VAI) in patients with acute brain injury-a retrospective study.

Background: Ventriculostomy-associated infection (VAI) is common after external ventricular drains (EVD) insertion but is difficult to diagnose in patients with acute brain injury. Previously, we proposed a set of criteria for ruling out VAI in traumatic brain injury. This study aimed to validate these criteria.

Global treatment outcomes of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Historically, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis has been notoriously difficult to treat with devasting outcomes. As we are coming to the end of an era where the 2006 extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis definitions and old treatment regimens are being replaced, we aimed to estimate the proportion of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis patients globally who achieved successful treatment outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase from January 1, 2005, through April 3, 2023.

Mortality, risk factors, and causes of death among people with tuberculosis in Denmark, 1990-2018.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze mortality, risk factors, and causes of death among people with tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: This is a population-based cohort study with patients with TB ≥18 years notified from 1990 to 2018 in Denmark, compared with sex- and age-matched controls. Mortality was assessed in Kaplan-Meier models and risk factors for death were estimated in Cox proportional hazards models.

Reduced vitamin D-induced cathelicidin production and killing of in macrophages from a patient with a non-functional vitamin D receptor: A case report.

Tuberculosis (TB) presents a serious health problem with approximately a quarter of the world's population infected with () in an asymptomatic latent state of which 5-10% develops active TB at some point in their lives. The antimicrobial protein cathelicidin has broad antimicrobial activity towards viruses and bacteria including . Vitamin D increases the expression of cathelicidin in many cell types including macrophages, and it has been suggested that the vitamin D-mediated antimicrobial activity against is dependent on the induction of cathelicidin.

Global trends of pulmonary infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria: a systematic review.

Objectives: To describe the global trends of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection and disease.

Methods: A systematic review of studies including culture-based NTM data over time. Studies reporting on pulmonary NTM infection and/or disease were included.

Social determinants of tuberculosis: a nationwide case-control study, Denmark, 1990-2018.

Background: The global vision is a world free of tuberculosis (TB). Even in resource-rich TB low-incidence settings, we need more focus on the role of social risk factors to end the TB epidemic.

Methods: Nationwide, retrospective register-based, case-control study from 1990 to 2018, including all TB patients in Denmark ≥18 years old (n = 9581) matched 1:3 on sex and age with population controls.

Pregnancy and post-partum tuberculosis; a nationwide register-based case-control study, Denmark, 1990 to 2018.

BackgroundPregnancy increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB), however, data on TB epidemiology in pregnant women are limited.AimTo guide possible interventions, we analysed risk factors for TB in pregnant and post-partum women.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide retrospective register-based case-control study from January 1990 to December 2018 in Denmark.

Disseminated complex infection in a woman with anti-interferon-γ autoantibodies.

Defects in the interleukin-12/interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) pathway and anti-IFN-γ antibodies have been associated with severe nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections. Consequently, disseminated NTM infections should prompt investigations for immunodeficiency. Herein, we report a case of a treatment refractory and ultimately disseminated and fatal complex infection in a 71-year-old woman of Thai origin.

Clinical characteristics of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis, and factors associated with inadequate treatment response.

Objectives: Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) is associated with a high burden of disease. Our study aimed to describe characteristics at presentation of PVO, the risk of inadequate treatment response (ITR), relapse, and death, and to determine risk factors for ITR.

Methods: Patients with an ICD-10 discharge code for PVO and admission to a major Danish university hospital between November 2016 and April 2019 were included.

The Hammer vs Mitigation-A comparative retrospective register study of the Swedish and Danish national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

In the efforts to dampen the COVID-19 pandemic, governments are compelled to outweigh disease control efforts to the possible negative consequences of closing large parts of society. Although Denmark and Sweden are alike in political organization and health care, national responses to the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic differed noticeably. Denmark initiated a hard lock down followed by an outbreak control strategy (the so-called "hammer and dance" strategy), while Sweden's strategy was based on advising on social distancing, while keeping society open (a so-called mitigative strategy).

β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in relation to pre-diabetes and diabetes among adults in north-western Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Studies on phenotypes of diabetes in Africa are inconsistent. We assessed the role of β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance on pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Methods: We included 1890 participants with mean age of 40.

CT and MR neuroimaging findings in patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis: A national prospective cohort study.

Background: We aimed to describe the use and findings of cranial computerized tomography (CT-head), spine and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI-spine/MRI-brain) in Lyme neuroborreliose (LNB).

Methods: Patients with LNB were identified using a nationwide, population-based prospective cohort of all adults treated for neuroinfections at departments of infectious diseases in Denmark from 2015 to 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed associations between clinical characteristics and MRI-findings consistent with LNB.

Tuberculosis among Patients Undergoing Solid Organ Transplantation or Dialysis in a Low-Endemic Country, 2004-2017.

Background: The risk of active TB among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients and patients initiating chronic dialysis in a country with low incidence of TB is not well elucidated.

Methods: Patients aged >18 years who were transplanted with a solid organ or initiated chronic dialysis at Copenhagen University Hospital in the period 2004-2017 were followed from date of transplantation or initiation of dialysis. Data on demographics and outcomes were obtained from nationwide registries.

Mycobacterium arosiense, an unexpected cause of osteomyelitis in a patient with sarcoidosis: a case report.

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex are recognized as opportunistic pathogens to humans. Mycobacterium arosiense is one of the novel members of the Mycobacterium avium complex. The organism has only rarely been reported in human clinical cases and may be routinely misidentified.

Set-up and validation of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using BioNumerics software.

The objective was to describe and validate a new and alternative software procedure for 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number-tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) based on the multipurpose BioNumerics software. DNA from randomly selected isolates of Mtb from two European laboratories, including external control samples for MIRU-VNTR typing, were analysed. Samples were genotyped using the commercial 24-locus VNTR typing kit from GenoScreen.

Prevalence and significance of Mycoplasma genitalium in women living with HIV in Denmark.

Objective: Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) is a sexually transmitted pathogen associated with urethritis, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Previous studies have shown a strong association between M.

Erythema nodosum and the risk of tuberculosis in a high incidence setting.

Objective: This study estimates the erythema nodosum (EN) incidence in a tuberculosis (TB) endemic setting and evaluates the likelihood of a subsequent TB diagnosis among individuals with infection (MTI) with or without EN.

Design: We estimated EN incidence rates (IRs) in East Greenland in 2010-2011 and conducted a cohort study following all individuals who tested positive for MTI from 1 January 2010 until 31 December 2012. A personal identifier allowed individual follow-up in the mandatory TB register.

Tuberculosis screening in patients with HIV: use of audit and feedback to improve quality of care in Ghana.

Background: Tuberculosis screening of people living with HIV (PLHIV) can contribute to early tuberculosis diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. Evidence-based guidelines for tuberculosis screening are available, but literature assessing their implementation and the quality of clinical practice is scarce.

Objectives: To assess tuberculosis screening practices and the effectiveness of audit and performance feedback to improve quality of tuberculosis screening at HIV care clinics in Ghana.

Tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria among HIV-infected individuals in Ghana.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and clinical importance of previously unrecognised tuberculosis (TB) and isolation of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) among HIV-infected individuals in a teaching hospital in Ghana.

Methods: Intensified mycobacterial case finding was conducted among HIV-positive individuals before initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, medical history and TB-related signs and symptoms, and participants were followed for six months to determine treatment and vital status.