Experiences in the introduction of bedaquiline pretomanid linezolid for drug-resistant tuberculosis in Kyrgyzstan.

Settings: In Kyrgyzstan, drug-resistant tuberculosis poses a significant challenge. Recognizing the potential of the BPaL regimen, the World Health Organization recommended its use for selected drug-resistant TB cases under operational research conditions in 2020.

Objective: This report presents experiences and results from the BPaL operational research under the LIFT-TB project in Kyrgyzstan.

Discordant results of Xpert MTB/Rif assay and BACTEC MGIT 960 liquid culture to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in community screening in Vietnam.

Background: Xpert MTB/Rif, a molecular test to detect tuberculosis (TB), has been proven to have high sensitivity and specificity when compared with liquid culture in clinical settings. However, little is known about its performance in community TB screening.

Methods: In Vietnam, a national TB prevalence survey was conducted in 2017.

Xpert MTB/RIF Use Is Associated With Earlier Treatment Initiation and Culture Conversion Among Patients With Sputum Smear-Negative Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Background: Although rapid molecular diagnostic tests for tuberculosis (TB) have decreased detection time of and drug resistance, whether their use improves clinical care and outcomes is uncertain. To address these knowledge gaps, we evaluated whether use of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay impacts treatment and clinical outcome metrics among patients treated for sputum smear-negative multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients initiating treatment for sputum smear-negative MDR-TB at the National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Tbilisi, Georgia from 2011 to 2016.

Decline of Tuberculosis Burden in Vietnam Measured by Consecutive National Surveys, 2007-2017.

Vietnam, a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country, conducted national TB prevalence surveys in 2007 and 2017. In both surveys participants were screened by using a questionnaire and chest radiograph; sputum samples were then collected to test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis by smear microscopy and Löwenstein-Jensen culture. Culture-positive, smear-positive, and smear-negative TB cases were defined by laboratory results, and the prevalence of tuberculosis was compared between the 2 surveys.

Correction: The second national tuberculosis prevalence survey in Vietnam.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The second national tuberculosis prevalence survey in Vietnam.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Vietnam. The current TB burden is unknown as not all individuals with TB are diagnosed, recorded and notified. The second national TB prevalence survey was conducted in 2017-2018 to assess the current burden of TB disease in the country.

Rates and risk factors for nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity among tuberculosis patients in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is lengthy and utilizes second-line anti-TB drugs associated with frequent adverse drug reactions (ADRs). To evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for ADRs among patients with MDR- and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). A retrospective chart review of patients initiating treatment for M/XDR-TB in 2010-2012 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Risk factors for unfavourable treatment outcomes among rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis patients in Tajikistan.

Setting: Tajikistan is among the 30 countries with the highest multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) burden.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for unfavourable treatment outcomes among rifampicin-resistant (RR)/MDR-TB patients.

Design: Retrospective medical chart review of RR/MDR-TB patients enrolled for treatment in 2012-2013.

Correction: Rates and risk factors for human cutaneous anthrax in the country of Georgia: National surveillance data, 2008-2015.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Rates and risk factors for human cutaneous anthrax in the country of Georgia: National surveillance data, 2008-2015.

Introduction: Anthrax is endemic in the country of Georgia. The most common cutaneous anthrax form accounts for 95% of anthrax cases and often is self-resolving. Humans are infected from processing contaminated animal products, contacting sick animals, or by insect bites.

High-dose vitamin D3 in adults with pulmonary tuberculosis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: Tuberculosis, including multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), is a major global health problem. Individuals with tuberculosis disease commonly exhibit vitamin D deficiency, which may adversely affect immunity and the response to therapy.

Objective: We determined whether adjunctive high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation improves outcomes in individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis disease.

Acquired Drug Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Poor Outcomes among Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Rates and risk factors for acquired drug resistance and association with outcomes among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) are not well defined. In an MDR TB cohort from the country of Georgia, drug susceptibility testing for second-line drugs (SLDs) was performed at baseline and every third month. Acquired resistance was defined as any SLD whose status changed from susceptible at baseline to resistant at follow-up.

Determinants of tuberculosis infection control-related behaviors among healthcare workers in the country of Georgia.

Objective: To better understand tuberculosis (TB) infection control (IC) in healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Georgia.

Design: A cross-sectional evaluation of healthcare worker (HCW) knowledge, beliefs and behaviors toward TB IC measures including latent TB infection (LTBI) screening and treatment of HCWs.

Setting: Georgia, a high-burden multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) country.

Significant clinical impact of a rapid molecular diagnostic test (Genotype MTBDRplus assay) to detect multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Background: There are limited data on the clinical impact of rapid diagnostic tests to detect multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). We sought to determine whether the use of a molecular diagnostic test to detect MDR-TB improves clinical outcomes.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted to analyze the impact of the Genotype MTBDRplus assay on clinical outcomes among patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary MDR-TB.

Prevalence and incidence of latent tuberculosis infection in georgian healthcare workers.

Background: Tuberculosis is a major occupational hazard in low and middle-income countries. Limited data exist on serial testing of healthcare workers (HCWs) with interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), especially in low and middle-income countries. We sought to evaluate the rates of and risk factors for LTBI prevalence and LTBI test conversion among HCWs using the tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube assay (QFT-GIT).

Effects of sunlight and diet on vitamin D status of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is common in tuberculosis (TB) and this may modulate immune responses. This study investigated vitamin D status in patients with TB and examined the sources of vitamin D in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Methods: We measured plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and dietary vitamin D intake in patients with pulmonary TB (n = 85) in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Prevalence and risk factors for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Republic of Georgia: a population-based study.

Setting: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB, defined as resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin) has emerged as a serious global public health problem, especially in the former Soviet republics. The extent of the problem in Georgia has been incompletely defined.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for MDR-TB in Georgia.

Prevalence and risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection among health care workers in Georgia.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in Georgia, but few TB infection control measures have been implemented in health care facilities.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for latent TB infection (LTBI) among Georgian health care workers (HCWs) using two diagnostic tests, the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube test (QFT-3G), an interferon-gamma release assay.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2006 among HCWs at the Georgian National TB Program.