Endotoxin Acts Synergistically With Clostridioides difficile Toxin B to Increase Interleukin 1β Production: A Potential Role for the Intestinal Biome in Modifying the Severity of C. difficile Colitis.

Background: Inflammation is a crucial driver of host damage in patients with Clostridioides difficile colitis. We examined the potential for the intestinal microbiome to modify inflammation in patients with C. difficile colitis via the effects of gut-derived endotoxin on cytokine production.

Patients with MDR-TB on domiciliary care in programmatic settings in Myanmar: Effect of a support package on preventing early deaths.

Background: The community-based MDR-TB care (CBMDR-TBC) project was implemented in 2015 by The Union in collaboration with national TB programme (NTP) in 33 townships of upper Myanmar to improve treatment outcomes among patients with MDR-TB registered under NTP. They received community-based support through the project staff, in addition to the routine domiciliary care provided by NTP staff. Each project township had a project nurse exclusively for MDR-TB and a community volunteer who provided evening directly observed therapy (in addition to morning directly observed therapy by NTP).

Low Incidence of Renal Dysfunction among HIV-Infected Patients on a Tenofovir-Based First Line Antiretroviral Treatment Regimen in Myanmar.

Background: Since 2004, Médecins Sans Frontières-Switzerland has provided treatment and care for people living with HIV in Dawei, Myanmar. Renal function is routinely monitored in patients on tenofovir (TDF)-based antiretroviral treatment (ART), and this provides an opportunity to measure incidence and risk factors for renal dysfunction.

Methods: We used routinely collected program data on all patients aged ≥15 years starting first-line TDF-based ART between January 2012 and December 2013.