Genomic evidence supporting the clonal expansion of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis bacteria belonging to a rare protoBeijing genotype.

Tuberculosis disease (TB), caused by , is a major public health issue in Thailand. The high prevalence of modern Beijing (Lineage 2.2.

Activity and MIC of Sitafloxacin against Multidrug-Resistant and Extensively Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolated in Thailand.

New fluoroquinolones (FQs) have been shown to be more active against drug-resistant strains than early FQs, such as ofloxacin. Sitafloxacin (STFX) is a new fluoroquinolone with activity against a broad range of bacteria, including This study aimed to determine the activity of STFX against all groups of drug-resistant strains, including multidrug-resistant (MDR ), MDR with quinolone resistance (pre-XDR), and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. A total of 374 drug-resistant strains were tested for drug susceptibility by the conventional proportion method, and 95 strains were randomly submitted for MIC determination using the microplate alamarBlue assay (MABA).

Role of gyrB Mutations in Pre-extensively and Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Thai Clinical Isolates.

DNA gyrase mutations are a major cause of quinolone resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis We therefore conducted the first comprehensive study to determine the diversity of gyrase mutations in pre-extensively drug-resistant (pre-XDR) (n = 71) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) (n = 30) Thai clinical tuberculosis (TB) isolates. All pre-XDR-TB and XDR-TB isolates carried at least one mutation within the quinolone resistance-determining region of GyrA (G88A [1.1%], A90V [17.

Prevalence of Primary HIV Drug Resistance in Thailand Detected by Short Reverse Transcriptase Genotypic Resistance Assay.

Background: HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) is the major cause of treatment failure after scaling up of antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIVDR testing prior to ART initiation is not routinely performed in resource-limited settings. We aimed to assess the prevalence of primary HIVDR by short reverse transcriptase (RT) genotypic resistance assay and evaluate of the impact of the mutations on the treatment outcomes.

Guidelines for antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 infected adults and adolescents 2014, Thailand.

New evidence has emerged regarding when to commence antiretroviral therapy (ART), optimal treatment regimens, management of HIV co-infection with opportunistic infections, and management of ART failure. The 2014 guidelines were developed by the collaborations of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and the Thai AIDS Society (TAS). One of the major changes in the guidelines included recommending to initiating ART irrespective of CD4 cell count.

Eleven-year experience on anti-TB drugs direct susceptibility testing from Siriraj Hospital, Thailand.

The early detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) strains is of utmost importance for patient management and effective TB control programs. This study aimed to demonstrate the performance of direct drug susceptibility testing (DST) performed in our laboratory in the past 11 years. The direct DST was performed on Middlebrook 7H10 medium using isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), and the results were compared with those obtained from indirect DST (gold standard).

Surveillance of pyrazinamide susceptibility among multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Siriraj Hospital, Thailand.

Background: Susceptibility testing of pyrazinamide (PZA) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is difficult to perform because the acidity of culture medium that is required for drug activity also inhibits the growth of bacteria. In Thailand, very limited information has been generated on PZA resistance, particularly among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) isolated from Thailand. Only two studies on PZA susceptibility among Thai M.

Guidelines for antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 infected adults and adolescents: the recommendations of the Thai AIDS Society (TAS) 2008.

Background: More than 100,000 patients have been treated, since the implementation of the National Universal Coverage for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Thailand Although there are several comprehensive guidelines available internationally, there is a need to have guidelines that can be implemented in Thailand.

Material And Method: The guidelines were developed by a panel of 17 members who are the experts on HIV research and/or HIV patient care and appointed without incentive by the Thai AIDS Society (TAS). The recommendations were based on evidences from the published studies and availability of antiretroviral agents.

Potential health effects of exposure to carcinogenic compounds in incense smoke in temple workers.

Incense smoke is a potential hazard to human health due to various airborne carcinogens emitted from incense burning. This study aimed to evaluate the potential health effects of exposure to benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emitted from incense smoke in temple workers. Exposure and health risks were assessed through the measurement of ambient exposure as well as through the use of biomarkers of exposure and early biological effects.

Role of drowsy driving in traffic accidents: a questionnaire survey of Thai commercial bus/truck drivers.

Objective: The authors assessed the relationship between traffic accidents and drowsiness.

Material And Method: A self-answered questionnaire survey of 4331 commercial bus/truck drivers was done.

Result: Sixty-nine percent of the drivers reported accidents and one third of these accidents was attributable to drowsiness.