Antibiotic dispensing practices among informal healthcare providers in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: The rise of antimicrobial resistance represents a critical threat to global health, exacerbated by the excessive and inappropriate dispensing and use of antimicrobial drugs, notably antibiotics, which specifically target bacterial infections. The surge in antibiotic consumption globally is particularly concerning in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where informal healthcare providers (IPs) play a vital role in the healthcare landscape. Often the initial point of contact for healthcare-seeking individuals, IPs play a crucial role in delivering primary care services in these regions.

Accuracy of package inserts of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests: a secondary analysis of manufacturer versus systematic review data.

Background: Rapid antigen tests (RATs) were crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information provided by the test manufacturer in product package inserts, also known as instructions for use (IFUs), is often the only data available to clinicians, public health professionals, and individuals on the diagnostic accuracy of these tests. We aimed to assess whether manufacturer IFU accuracy data aligned with evidence from independent research.

How can we tackle the overuse of antibiotics in low- and middle-income countries?

Introduction: Antibiotic overuse is a pressing global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there is limited access to quality healthcare and insufficient regulation of antibiotic dispensation. This perspective piece highlights the challenges of antibiotic overuse in LMICs and provides insights into potential solutions to address this issue.

Areas Covered: This perspective explores key factors contributing to antibiotic overuse in LMICs, encompassing weak healthcare infrastructure, limited access to quality services, and deficiencies in diagnostic capabilities.

Do private providers initiate anti-tuberculosis therapy on the basis of chest radiographs? A standardised patient study in urban India.

Background: The initiation of anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) based on results of WHO-approved microbiological diagnostics is an important marker of quality tuberculosis (TB) care. Evidence suggests that other diagnostic processes leading to treatment initiation may be preferred in high TB incidence settings. This study examines whether private providers start anti-TB therapy on the basis of chest radiography (CXR) and clinical examinations.

Use of standardised patients to assess tuberculosis case management by private pharmacies in Patna, India: A repeat cross-sectional study.

As the first point of care for many healthcare seekers, private pharmacies play an important role in tuberculosis (TB) care. However, previous studies in India have showed that private pharmacies commonly dispense symptomatic treatments and broad-spectrum antibiotics over-the-counter (OTC), rather than referring patients for TB testing. Such inappropriate management by pharmacies can delaye TB diagnosis.

Sex-disaggregated effectiveness data reporting in COVID-19 vaccine research: a systematic review.

Background: Sex and gender are believed to influence vaccine response. Yet, the relationship between sex and gender and COVID-19 vaccine efficacy is poorly understood and remains under-investigated.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to determine whether and to what extent post-approval COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) studies report sex-disaggregated VE data.

Integrating tuberculosis and COVID-19 molecular testing in Lima, Peru: a cross-sectional, diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: Integrated molecular testing could be an opportunity to detect and provide care for both tuberculosis and COVID-19. Many high tuberculosis burden countries, such as Peru, have existing GeneXpert systems for tuberculosis testing with GeneXpert Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra), and a GeneXpert SARS-CoV-2 assay, GeneXpert Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 (Xpert Xpress), is also available. We aimed to assess the feasibility of integrating tuberculosis and COVID-19 testing using one sputum specimen with Xpert Ultra and Xpert Xpress in Lima, Peru.

A scoping review on the risk of tuberculosis in specific population groups: can we expand the World Health Organization recommendations?

Since 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended prioritising testing and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) infection (TBI) in 11 high-risk groups. With new options emerging for TB preventive treatment, we conducted a scoping review, in consultation with the WHO's Global Tuberculosis Programme, to explore the evidence for other population groups at potentially high risk of progression to active TB. We searched six databases for preprints and articles published between 2000 and August 2022.

Antibody tests for identification of current and past infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Background: The diagnostic challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in rapid development of diagnostic test methods for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serology tests to detect the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 enable detection of past infection and may detect cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection that were missed by earlier diagnostic tests. Understanding the diagnostic accuracy of serology tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection may enable development of effective diagnostic and management pathways, inform public health management decisions and understanding of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology.

Pneumococcal vaccination uptake and missed opportunities for vaccination among Canadian adults: A cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

Introduction: In Canada, pneumococcal vaccination is recommended to all adults aged ≥65 and those <65 who have one or more chronic medical conditions (CMCs). Understanding vaccine uptake and its determinants among eligible groups has important implications for reducing the burden of pneumococcal disease.

Methods: Using data from a large national cohort of Canadian residents aged ≥47 years between 2015-2018, we calculated self-reported pneumococcal vaccine uptake among eligible groups, estimated associations between key factors and non-vaccination, assessed missed opportunities for vaccination (MOV) and examined risk factors for MOV.

Influenza vaccine coverage and factors associated with non-vaccination among adults at high risk for severe outcomes: An analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

Background: Influenza vaccination is recommended in Canada for older adults and those with underlying health conditions due to their increased risk of severe outcomes. Further research is needed to identify who within these groups is not receiving influenza vaccine to identify opportunities to increase coverage.

Objectives: We aimed to 1) estimate influenza non-vaccination prevalence and 2) assess factors associated with non-vaccination among Canadian adults aged ≥65 and adults aged 46-64 with ≥1 chronic medical condition (CMC) due to their high risk of severe influenza outcomes.

Comparative Effectiveness of Regimens for Drug-Susceptible Tuberculous Meningitis in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Aggregate-Level Data Meta-Analysis.

Background: Before August 2021, the only regimen recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to treat pediatric drug-susceptible tuberculous meningitis was a 12-month regimen consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide (2HRZE/10HR). The comparative effectiveness of shorter regimens is unknown.

Methods: To inform a WHO guideline update, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes from regimens of 6- to less than 12-months' duration that included, at a minimum, isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide.

A comparison of national vaccination policies to prevent serogroup B meningococcal disease.

Objectives: To understand the global landscape of prevention and control efforts targeting serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) disease and to identify the key challenges and gaps yet to be addressed.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of policies and practices for the use of protein-based MenB vaccines (Bexsero® [GlaxoSmithKline] and Trumenba® [Pfizer]) in all countries (n = 58) where either or both vaccine is authorized for use. We searched the literature (PubMed) and websites of health ministries and other relevant agencies to identify policy documents and plans and collect information about implementation timelines, target groups, vaccines being used, recommended schedules, and coverage data.

India's ban on antimicrobial fixed-dose combinations: winning the battle, losing the war?

Background And Objectives: India, the country with the largest market availability of antimicrobial fixed-dose combinations (FDCs), banned certain antimicrobial FDCs in September 2018. Our objective was to examine the impact of Government ban on the sales of antimicrobial FDCs.

Methods: The sales patterns of 14 of the 26 banned antimicrobial FDCs were analyzed using monthly private sector drug sales data from IQVIA (a comprehensive and nationally representative drug sales database) between January 2018 and December 2019.

Do private providers give patients what they demand, even if it is inappropriate? A randomised study using unannounced standardised patients in Kenya.

Introduction: Low and varied quality of care has been demonstrated for childhood illnesses in low-income and middle-income countries. Some quality improvement strategies focus on increasing patient engagement; however, evidence suggests that patients demanding medicines can favour the selection of resistant microbial strains in the individual and the community if drugs are inappropriately used. This study examines the effects on quality of care when patients demand different types of inappropriate medicines.

Factors Associated With Willingness to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine Among 23,819 Adults Aged 50 Years or Older: An Analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

Identifying persons who are least willing to receive a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is critical for increasing uptake via targeted outreach. We conducted a survey of 23,819 Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging participants from September 29 to December 29, 2020, to assess factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination willingness and reasons for willingness or lack thereof. Among adults aged 50-96 years, 84.

Prescribing practices for presumptive TB among private general practitioners in South Africa: a cross-sectional, standardised patient study.

Introduction: Medicine prescribing practices are integral to quality of care for leading infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB). We describe prescribing practices in South Africa's private health sector, where an estimated third of people with TB symptoms first seek care.

Methods: Sixteen standardised patients (SPs) presented one of three cases during unannounced visits to private general practitioners (GPs) in Durban and Cape Town: TB symptoms, HIV-positive; TB symptoms, a positive molecular test for TB, HIV-negative; and TB symptoms, history of incomplete TB treatment, HIV-positive.

Influenza vaccination uptake among Canadian adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal study on Aging (CLSA).

Introduction: Understanding how influenza vaccine uptake changed during the 2020/2021 influenza season compared to previous pre-pandemic seasons is a key priority, as is identifying the relationship between prior influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccine willingness.

Methods: We analyzed data from a large, nationally representative cohort of Canadian residents aged 50 and older to assess influenza vaccination status three times between 2015 and 2020. We investigated: 1) changes in self-reported influenza vaccine uptake, 2) predictors of influenza vaccine uptake in 2020/2021, and 3) the association between influenza vaccination history and self-reported COVID-19 vaccine willingness using logistic regression models.

Antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries: current status and future directions.

Introduction: Rising rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally continue to pose agrave threat to human health. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected, partly due to the high burden of communicable diseases.

Areas Covered: We reviewed current trends in AMR in LMICs and examined the forces driving AMR in those regions.