Publications by authors named "M van der Zalm"
Objectives: Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is complicated by challenges in obtaining invasive respiratory specimens that frequently contain few Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bacilli. We report the diagnostic performance of an Mtb antigen-derived peptide (MAP-TB) assay and its ability to monitor TB treatment response.
Methods: Study cohorts enrolled children who presented with presumptive TB at two hospitals in South Africa from 2012 to 2017 (157 children aged <13 years) and at community-based clinics in the Dominican Republic from 2019 to 2023 (101 children aged <18 years).
Scope: The emergence of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) after SARS-CoV-2 infection underscores the critical need for preparedness in addressing future post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS), particularly those linked to epidemic outbreaks. The lack of standardized clinical and epidemiological data during the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly hindered timely diagnosis and effective treatment of PCC, highlighting the necessity of pre-emptively standardizing data collection in clinical studies to better define and manage future PAIS. In response, the Cohort Coordination Board, a consortium of European-funded COVID-19 research projects, has reviewed data from PCC studies conducted by its members.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Respiratory illnesses, including pulmonary TB (PTB), cause significant morbidity. We aimed to understand the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with presumptive PTB.
Methods: Children aged 0-13 years presenting with presumptive PTB were enrolled.
An item bank to measure health-related quality of life among young children (0-5-years-old) affected by respiratory illnesses - expert stakeholders and end-users from the Western Cape, South Africa.
Health Qual Life Outcomes
October 2024
Article Synopsis
- * A thorough three-phase process involving expert evaluations and cognitive interviews with caregivers in South Africa helped refine an initial item bank, ensuring content relevance and validation.
- * The final HRQoL item bank consists of 41 items divided into two age groups (0-2 years and 3-5 years) and covers various aspects like early childhood development, play, social interactions, and care routines, enhancing its comprehensiveness.