Therapeutic strategies and outcomes of MDR and pre-XDR-TB in Italy: a nationwide study.

Treatment outcomes in multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients are suboptimal in several low-incidence countries. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of successfully treated patients in Italy during an 18-year period. Secondary outcomes were treatment outcomes in certain drug-containing regimens and the possibility for the WHO shorter MDR-TB regimen.

Preliminary observations on IGRA testing for TB infection in patients with severe COVID-19 eligible for immunosuppressive therapy.

COVID-19, the novel coronavirus pandemic, has already spread around the globe affecting more than 18 million people. As previously observed with other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 deeply dysregulate the immune system eliciting respiratory failure and a state of systemic hyperinflammation in severely ill individuals. Immunotherapy is often used to downgrade the detrimental effects of the disease sustained by high-level of cytokines.

European Respiratory Society International Congress, Madrid, 2019: nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease highlights.

Once overlooked, awareness of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is rapidly rising, in line with increasing prevalence worldwide. The European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2019, held in Madrid, Spain, provided a platform for invigorating discussions and exciting new research in the field. This article explores approaches being taken to combat NTM-PD with a focus not only on novel prevalence and risk factor data, but also on emerging antimicrobials and their routes of delivery, and other potential treatment options in early clinical development.