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.

Clinical characteristics, outcomes and persistent symptoms of pregnant women with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 and to compare with pregnant women without COVID-19. In addition, in the subgroup of patients who were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis, the persistence of symptoms was assessed.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis and Latent Tuberculosis Infection Diagnosis in Healthcare Workers.

Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis (TB) in the prepandemic period (2017-2019) with the pandemic period (2020-2022), in a group of healthcare workers (HCWs).

Methods: This is a retrospective study. Data on TB diagnosis was retrieved from the hospital information system database.

Smoking cessation among tuberculosis patients during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic.

Smoking has been recognized as a significant risk factor for COVID-19 and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended smoking cessation to reduce the impact of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the smoking cessation rate of patients starting tuberculosis (TB) treatment at six months using motivational interviewing based on the WHO "five steps to quit" model.

Brazilian Thoracic Association recommendations for the management of post-tuberculosis lung disease.

Historically, all efforts against tuberculosis were focused on rapid diagnosis and effective treatment to break the chain of transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, in the last few years, more and more evidence has been found on the dramatic consequences of the condition defined as post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD). Approximately one third of patients surviving pulmonary tuberculosis face considerable ongoing morbidities, including respiratory impairment, psychosocial challenges, and reduced health-related quality of life after treatment completion.

Audience response system smartphone application as an adjunct to tuberculosis teaching for medical students during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Objective: The growing availability of devices for mobile learning has created new opportunities for teaching. With the development of smartphone apps based on audience response systems, there is a possibility to quickly assess student knowledge. The education of health professionals, including medical students, is an essential strategy for tuberculosis control.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 seroprevalence among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibodies in patients with tuberculosis.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at an outpatient tuberculosis clinic in Alvorada, RS, Brazil, with data collection between October and December 2020. Outpatients aged>18 years with active pulmonary tuberculosis, no prior history of coronavirus disease 2019, and no suspected coronavirus disease 2019 were included in the study.

Migration and medical screening for tuberculosis.

Vulnerable populations, such as migrants and refugees, have an increased risk of tuberculosis disease, especially in the first years after arrival in the host country. The presence of migrants and refugees in Brazil exponentially grew over the period between 2011 and 2020, and approximately 1.3 million migrants from the Global South were estimated to be residing in Brazil, most of whom from Venezuela and Haiti.

Decrease in Health-Related Quality of Life and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome in Health Care Workers After SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Cohort Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the persistence of symptoms, the prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome, and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among health care workers (HCWs) 6 months after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted. All HCWs with confirmed COVID-19 from January to June 2021 were invited to participate.

Adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objectives: In tuberculosis treatment, corticosteroids are used as adjuvants, especially in meningeal/pericardial tuberculosis. In other forms of the disease, especially in severe tuberculosis requiring mechanical ventilation, its use is controversial. The aim of the present study is to assess whether the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in mechanical ventilation is associated with in-hospital mortality.

Breathing Back Better! A State of the Art on the Benefits of Functional Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Post-Tuberculosis and Post-COVID Lungs.

Currently, tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 account for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, not only during their acute phase, but also because of their sequelae. This scoping review aims to describe the specific aspects of post-TB and post-COVID (long-COVID-19) sequelae, and the implications for post-disease follow-up and rehabilitation. In particular, evidence on how to identify patients affected by sequelae is presented and discussed.

Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of galactomannan from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Background: Several studies to evaluate the accuracy of galactomannan (GM) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as a diagnostic tool have been carried out; however, there are still controversies about the optimal cut-off point of BALF GM.

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and the optimal cut-off point on BALF GM from patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 188 patients (≥18 years) that had undergone a bronchoscopy with BAL due to suspected IPA was carried out.

Delamanid-containing regimens and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a life-threatening condition needing long poly-chemotherapy regimens. As no systematic reviews/meta-analysis is available to comprehensively evaluate the role of delamanid (DLM), we evaluated its effectiveness and safety.

Methods: We reviewed the relevant scientific literature published up to January 20, 2022.

Screening for Tuberculosis in Migrants: A Survey by the Global Tuberculosis Network.

Tuberculosis (TB) does not respect borders, and migration confounds global TB control and elimination. Systematic screening of immigrants from TB high burden settings and-to a lesser degree TB infection (TBI)-is recommended in most countries with a low incidence of TB. The aim of the study was to evaluate the views of a diverse group of international health professionals on TB management among migrants.

Smoking prevalence and effects on treatment outcomes in patients with tuberculosis.

Objective: More than 20% of tuberculosis (TB) cases worldwide are attributable to smoking, and it is associated with an increased risk of latent and active TB, recurrence, and mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the smoking prevalence and the effects on treatment outcomes in TB patients.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in patients with a recent TB diagnosis.