Publications by authors named "K J Sharples"
Background: Certain micronutrient levels have been associated with the risk of developing TB disease. We explored the possible association of selected at-risk micronutrient levels with the development of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSome individuals, even when heavily exposed to an infectious tuberculosis patient, do not develop a specific T-cell response as measured by interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). This could be explained by an IFN-γ-independent adaptive immune response, or an effective innate host response clearing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) without adaptive immunity. In heavily exposed Indonesian tuberculosis household contacts (n = 1347), a persistently IGRA negative status was associated with presence of a BCG scar, and - especially among those with a BCG scar - with altered innate immune cells dynamics, higher heterologous (Escherichia coli-induced) proinflammatory cytokine production, and higher inflammatory proteins in the IGRA mitogen tube.
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- The study investigated risk factors for spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, focusing on febrile patients from local hospitals between 2012 and 2014.
- Of 1,190 participants, 54.6% had SFGR exposure, with 9.2% displaying acute SFGR; factors such as age, rural living, and temperature were significant in determining risk.
- The findings highlight that children under 2 years, rural residents, and those in cooler areas may be at higher risk for SFGR, suggesting a need for targeted prevention strategies and additional research on tick exposure.
Background: Type 2 diabetes in young people is an aggressive disease with a greater risk of complications leading to increased morbidity and mortality during the most productive years of life. Prevalence in the UK and globally is rising yet experience in managing this condition is limited. There are no consensus guidelines in the UK for the assessment and management of paediatric type 2 diabetes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: No gold standard diagnostic test exists for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The intra-dermal tuberculin skin test (TST) has known limitations and Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) have been developed as an alternative. We aimed to assess agreement between IGRA and TST, and risk factors for test positivity, in Indonesian healthcare students.
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