N-acetylcysteine modulates markers of oxidation, inflammation and infection in tuberculosis.

Background: Half the global tuberculosis health burden is due to post-tuberculosis lung disease. Host-directed therapies have been proposed to reduce this burden. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) provides the conditionally essential amino acid cysteine required for synthesis of glutathione, an antioxidant thiol.

Spirometric reference equations and lung function testing in adults from Southwestern Tanzania.

Background: The increasing relevance of lung function testing in diagnosing and treating pulmonary diseases globally requires adequate spirometric reference equations. However, locally derived reference standards from African countries are widely missing.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Southwestern Tanzania.

Adjunctive N-Acetylcysteine and Lung Function in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Background: Tuberculosis remains a global health concern, and half of cured patients have permanent lung injury. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown beneficial antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects in preclinical tuberculosis models. We examined its effects on tuberculosis treatment outcomes.

A pilot cross-sectional study of non-communicable diseases in TB household contacts.

Background: Data on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in TB household contacts (HHCs) are limited, yet important to inform integrated screening and care for NCD within contact investigations. It is also unclear if screening these contacts reveals more people with NCDs than individuals in the same neighbourhood.

Method: We conducted a pilot cross-sectional study in South Africa and Tanzania, enrolling adult HHCs of TB and individuals in neighbourhood households (controls).

Performance of Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay Compared to Alere TB-LAM in Urine of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients with HIV Co-Infections.

Alternative tools are needed to improve the detection of () in HIV co-infections. We evaluated the utility of Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA) compared to lipoarabinomannan (LAM) to detect in urine. Sputum Xpert MTB/RIF-positive patients were consented to provide urine at baseline, weeks 2, 8, 16, and 24 of treatment for TB-MBLA, culture, and LAM.