Predictors of interferon-gamma release assay results and their association with COVID-19 infection outcomes.

Background: An 'indeterminate' interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) result used in the diagnosis of latent TB infection (LTBI) is most commonly due to an inadequate control (or 'mitogen') response, which may reflect underlying T-cell dysfunction.

Methods: We performed a single-centre, retrospective study on COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary referral hospital who had IGRA testing conducted over a 5-month period. The primary outcomes included predictors of indeterminate IGRA results and associations with COVID-19 outcomes.

Poor performance of paired tests of latent tuberculosis in highly immune-compromised individuals exposed to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: time for new diagnostic markers.

https://bit.ly/41P8vTa.

Management of isoniazid-monoresistant tuberculosis (Hr-TB) in Queensland, Australia: a retrospective case series.

Objectives: Drug-resistance represents a major threat in the fight against tuberculosis. Globally, isoniazid-monoresistant tuberculosis (Hr-TB) is twice as common as multidrug/rifampicin-resistant (MDR/RR)-TB. Recently updated WHO guidelines now recommend treatment of Hr-TB with rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide and levofloxacin for at least six months.

Prospective evaluation of improving fluoroquinolone exposure using centralised therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in patients with tuberculosis (PERFECT): a study protocol of a prospective multicentre cohort study.

Introduction: Global multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment success rates remain suboptimal. Highly active WHO group A drugs moxifloxacin and levofloxacin show intraindividual and interindividual pharmacokinetic variability which can cause low drug exposure. Therefore, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of fluoroquinolones is recommended to personalise the drug dosage, aiming to prevent the development of drug resistance and optimise treatment.