Investigation and outcomes in patients with nonspecific pleuritis: results from the International Collaborative Effusion database.

Introduction: We present findings from the International Collaborative Effusion database, a European Respiratory Society clinical research collaboration. Nonspecific pleuritis (NSP) is a broad term that describes chronic pleural inflammation. Various aetiologies lead to NSP, which poses a diagnostic challenge for clinicians.

Evaluation of dried blood spot sampling for pharmacokinetic research and therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-tuberculosis drugs in children.

Background: Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling for pharmacokinetic (PK) studies and therapeutic drug monitoring have unique advantages over venous sampling. This study aimed to evaluate a DBS method for first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs in children, and DBS sampling to assess PK parameters.

Methods: Paraguayan children were treated according to the revised paediatric dosing scheme of the World Health Organization.