Objectives: To evaluate the performance of Aspergillus-specific IgG antibodies for diagnosing chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) by using a cohort of patients with histologically proven CPA as a reference standard.
Methods: We collected Aspergillus-specific IgG antibody titres from patients with histologically proven CPA in collaboration with CPAnet study sites in Denmark, Germany, Belgium, India, Moldova, and Pakistan (N = 47). Additionally, sera from diseased and healthy controls were prospectively collected at the Medical Clinic of the Research Center, Borstel, Germany (n = 303).
Sputum microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF are the primary rapid diagnostic methods for tuberculosis (TB) in Nepal. However, disagreements among Xpert, microscopy, and culture, for example, cases that are Xpert positive and microscopy negative, are frequently observed in Nepal, including in our reference laboratory. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Xpert with that of culture and microscopy for the diagnosis of TB in Nepal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The World Health Organization recommends standardised treatment durations for patients with tuberculosis (TB). We identified and validated a host-RNA signature as a biomarker for individualised therapy durations for patients with drug-susceptible (DS)- and multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB.
Methods: Adult patients with pulmonary TB were prospectively enrolled into five independent cohorts in Germany and Romania.
BD MAX MDR-TB assay is a new molecular platform for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in clinical specimens and simultaneous detection of resistance toward isoniazid and rifampicin. This study assessed the assay's diagnostic accuracy by using pre-characterized MTBC culture-negative (n = 257), smear-negative/MTBC culture-positive (n = 93), and smear-positive/MTBC culture-positive (n = 153) respiratory specimens. Compared with culture, the overall sensitivity and specificity of BD MAX MDR-TB were 86.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMultidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an emerging public health problem in Nepal. Despite the implementation of a successful TB control program in Nepal, notifications of MDR-TB are increasing, yet the reasons are unknown. The objective of this study was to understand the genetic diversity and epidemiological characteristics of MDR-Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates in Nepal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Respir Crit Care Med
August 2018
Rationale: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a major burden to public health in Europe. Reported treatment success rates are around 50% or less, and cure rates are even lower.
Objectives: To document the management and treatment outcome in patients with MDR-TB in Europe.
Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis is challenging elimination of tuberculosis (TB). We evaluated risk factors for TB and levels of second-line drug resistance in M. tuberculosis in patients in Europe with multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB.
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