Prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria among people with acid-fast positive presumptive tuberculosis in Mali.

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental agents that can cause opportunistic pulmonary disease in humans and animals, often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB). In this study, we describe the cases of NTM identified during the first national anti-TB drug resistance survey conducted in Mali and explore associated risk factors.

Methods: Sputum was collected from people presenting for pulmonary TB diagnosis from April to December 2019, regardless of age.

Prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in the Netherlands.

Background: The rising prevalence estimates of multiple sclerosis (MS) globally underscore the imperative for up-to-date epidemiological data specific to the Netherlands.

Methods: Data from two Dutch healthcare databases (Nivel Primary Care Database and Vektis Database) comprising both general practices and hospital electronic health records in 2019 were combined to assess age- and sex-standardized MS prevalence and incidence estimates. Differences in prevalence estimates based on latitude and between primary versus secondary care records were examined.

Discontinuation of First-Line Disease-Modifying Therapy in Patients With Stable Multiple Sclerosis: The DOT-MS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Increasing numbers of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) use disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Long-term stable disease while taking such medications provides a rationale for considering DMT discontinuation given patient burden, costs, and potential adverse effects of immunomodulating therapy.

Objective: To investigate whether first-line DMT can be safely discontinued in patients with long-term stable MS.

Understanding the complex network of objectively assessed cognition and self-reported psychological symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Literature on the intricate relationship between self-reported and objectively assessed cognitive functioning suggests a discrepancy between self-reported cognitive complaints (SCC) and actual test performance.

Objectives: To investigate the interplay between patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and objective cognitive functioning using network analysis in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Methods: We collected PROMs on anxiety, depression, fatigue and SCC, and cognitive functioning across six domains ( = 703 PwMS; 71% female, mean age = 46.

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype distribution in Bangladeshi under-fives with community-acquired pneumonia pre-10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent causative pathogen of bacterial pneumonia in children worldwide. Bangladesh introduced the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) in their national immunization program for infants in 2015. We assessed its potential coverage in under-fives with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the years before PCV10 was introduced.