The effect of benralizumab on inflammation in severe asthma: a real-life analysis.

Background: Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA). Few studies investigated its role in airway inflammation and its correlation with lung function.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to assess its effect after 1 year of treatment, focusing on airway inflammation.

TB survivors: why curing TB is sometimes not enough.

It is now well understood that the effect of TB does not always end when a patient completes a successful course of treatment. Successful treatment is by definition a microbiological cure, but people may continue to suffer the consequences of TB for months or years after treatment. For example, ongoing health challenges can present in the form of post-TB lung disease (PTLD), and there is a high incidence of TB-related symptoms associated with disability in other domains.

Risk of tuberculosis disease in patients receiving TNF-α antagonist therapy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) risk associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonist therapy in patients with autoimmune diseases is a significant concern. This study aims to evaluate the risk of TB disease associated with TNF-α antagonist therapy.

Methods: An extensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane CENTRAL databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing TB disease risk in patients receiving TNF-α antagonist therapy available until November 1, 2024.

Intranasal esketamine for patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A large number of people worldwide grapple with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and a significant portion of them confront resistance to conventional antidepressant treatments. Esketamine, an innovative intervention, has garnered attention due to its rapid-acting antidepressant effects. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of esketamine in individuals with MDD and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD).

Asthma and hypertension: the role of airway inflammation.

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease often associated with comorbidities. Among cardiovascular comorbidities, arterial hypertension seems to create an additional health burden in asthmatics. However, evidence on this relationship is lacking.

Expert views on screening for tuberculosis infection in patients commencing treatment with a biologic agent.

Objective: Many biologic agents cause some degree of immunosuppression, which can increase the risk of reactivation of tuberculosis infection (TBI). This risk is variable between individual biologics. We aimed to assess current (and recommended) clinical practice of TBI screening and treatment among patients initiating treatment with biologic agents.

Commitment, partnerships and operational research: three priorities for 11 EMR countries to achieve TB elimination.

Background: In 2022, 11 of 22 Member States of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) had an estimated TB incidence of <20 cases per 100,000 population. We assessed preparedness for elimination and provided recommendations to pursue the process.

Methods: We surveyed 11 EMR national TB programme managers and collected information on eight TB elimination framework domains using a close-ended data collection tool.

Alpha-1 deficiency in severe asthma patients.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, an autosomal co-dominant condition, decreases protein concentration and activity at both serum and tissue levels. Few studies investigated whether the type of gene phenotype in patients with severe asthma can influence symptoms and disease control during follow-up.To assess whether the presence of a non-MM genotype of in patients with severe asthma is associated with disease control, systemic and airway inflammation, lung function and comorbidities prevalence compared to severe asthma patients with a homozygous genotype (MM).

TB and interstitial lung disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To determine the frequency of TB among patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs).We performed a comprehensive search in the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE and Scopus databases up to 1 August 2023 of studies reporting on the prevalence of TB among patients with ILDs.Twelve studies comprising 3,817 patients with ILD were found: the pooled prevalence of TB among ILD patients was 11.

Brittle Asthma: Still on Board?

(1) Background: "Brittle Asthma" was considered an asthma clinical phenotype and deemed to be life-threatening in the early 2000s; then, this definition disappeared. The purpose of this review is to examine what has historically been referred to as this term and see whether it may be applied to modern clinical practice, thus acquiring fresh relevance and meaning. (2) Methods: A non-systematic search of the literature was conducted using both MeSH and free-text phrases.

The battle against colistin-resistant and the need for a one health approach.

Promoting the judicious use of antibiotics is crucial. Physicians and veterinarians must adhere to evidence-based guidelines and prescribe antibiotics only when necessary [26]. Improved diagnostic tools can help identify the most appropriate treatment options.

Vaccination in post-tuberculosis lung disease management: A review of the evidence.

Introduction And Objectives: Post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD), as other chronic respiratory disorders, may have infectious complications; some of them can be prevented with vaccinations. So far, no document has discussed the potential role of vaccination in PTLD. Therefore, the objective of this review was to describe vaccination recommendations to prevent infections potentially capable of complicating PTLD.

Clinical standards for the diagnosis and management of asthma in low- and middle-income countries.

The aim of these clinical standards is to aid the diagnosis and management of asthma in low-resource settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A panel of 52 experts in the field of asthma in LMICs participated in a two-stage Delphi process to establish and reach a consensus on the clinical standards. Eighteen clinical standards were defined: Standard 1, Every individual with symptoms and signs compatible with asthma should undergo a clinical assessment; Standard 2, In individuals (>6 years) with a clinical assessment supportive of a diagnosis of asthma, a hand-held spirometry measurement should be used to confirm variable expiratory airflow limitation by demonstrating an acute response to a bronchodilator; Standard 3, Pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry should be performed in individuals (>6 years) to support diagnosis before treatment is commenced if there is diagnostic uncertainty; Standard 4, Individuals with an acute exacerbation of asthma and clinical signs of hypoxaemia or increased work of breathing should be given supplementary oxygen to maintain saturation at 94-98%; Standard 5, Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs) should be used as an emergency reliever in individuals with asthma via an appropriate spacer device for metered-dose inhalers; Standard 6, Short-course oral corticosteroids should be administered in appropriate doses to individuals having moderate to severe acute asthma exacerbations (minimum 3-5 days); Standard 7, Individuals having a severe asthma exacerbation should receive emergency care, including oxygen therapy, systemic corticosteroids, inhaled bronchodilators (e.

Clinical standards for drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents.

These clinical standards aim to provide guidance for diagnosis, treatment, and management of drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents. Fifty-two global experts in paediatric TB participated in a Delphi consensus process. After eight rounds of revisions, 51/52 (98%) participants endorsed the final document.

The association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and tuberculosis disease with unfavorable treatment outcomes: A systematic review.

Background: Whether SARS-CoV-2 infection and its management influence tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes is uncertain. We synthesized evidence on the association of SARS-CoV-2 coinfection (Coinfection Review) and its management (Clinical Management Review) on treatment outcomes among people with tuberculosis (TB) disease.

Methods: We systematically searched the literature from 1 January 2020 to 6 February 2022.

Clinical standards for the management of adverse effects during treatment for TB.

Adverse effects (AE) to TB treatment cause morbidity, mortality and treatment interruption. The aim of these clinical standards is to encourage best practise for the diagnosis and management of AE. 65/81 invited experts participated in a Delphi process using a 5-point Likert scale to score draft standards.