Estimating the future burden of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in India, the Philippines, Russia, and South Africa: a mathematical modelling study.

Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis are emerging worldwide. The Green Light Committee initiative supported programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis in 90 countries. We used estimates from the Preserving Effective TB Treatment Study to predict MDR and XDR tuberculosis trends in four countries with a high burden of MDR tuberculosis: India, the Philippines, Russia, and South Africa.

Factors Associated with Loss to Follow-up during Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis, the Philippines, 2012-2014.

To identify factors associated with loss to follow-up during treatment for multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines, we conducted a case-control study of adult patients who began receiving treatment for rifampin-resistant TB during July 1-December 31, 2012. Among 91 case-patients (those lost to follow-up) and 182 control-patients (those who adhered to treatment), independent factors associated with loss to follow-up included patients' higher self-rating of the severity of vomiting as an adverse drug reaction and alcohol abuse. Protective factors included receiving any type of assistance from the TB program, better TB knowledge, and higher levels of trust in and support from physicians and nurses.

Use of the VNTR typing technique to determine the origin of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from Filipino patients in Korea.

With increasing international interchange of personnel, international monitoring is necessary to decrease tuberculosis incidence in the world. This study aims to develop a new tool to determine origin of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from Filipino patients living in Korea. Thirty-two variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci were used for discrimination of 50 Filipino M.

Genotypic characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from household contacts of tuberculosis patients in the Philippines.

Background: The Philippines has an extremely high rate of tuberculosis but little is known about M. tuberculosis genotypes and transmission dynamics in this country. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of household contacts who develop active TB due to direct transmission from an index case in that household.

Multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis treatment regimens and patient outcomes: an individual patient data meta-analysis of 9,153 patients.

Background: Treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is lengthy, toxic, expensive, and has generally poor outcomes. We undertook an individual patient data meta-analysis to assess the impact on outcomes of the type, number, and duration of drugs used to treat MDR-TB.

Methods And Findings: Three recent systematic reviews were used to identify studies reporting treatment outcomes of microbiologically confirmed MDR-TB.

Shortening treatment in adults with noncavitary tuberculosis and 2-month culture conversion.

Rationale: Cavitary disease and delayed culture conversion have been associated with relapse. Combining patient characteristics and measures of bacteriologic response might allow treatment shortening with current drugs in some patients.

Objectives: To assess whether treatment could be shortened from 6 to 4 months in patients with noncavitary tuberculosis whose sputum cultures converted to negative after 2 months.

Design and implementation of an HIV/AIDS electronic medical record system (HIV/AIDS EMR) in the Philippines.

An electronic medical record system can help scale up the HIV/AIDS treatment program of a country. The authors illustrate how an HIV/AIDS electronic medical record system (HIV/AIDS EMR) was designed and implemented among treatment facilities across the Philippines.

Feasibility and cost-effectiveness of treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a cohort study in the Philippines.

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an important global health problem, and a control strategy known as DOTS-Plus has existed since 1999. However, evidence regarding the feasibility, effectiveness, cost, and cost-effectiveness of DOTS-Plus is still limited.

Methodology/principal Findings: We evaluated the feasibility, effectiveness, cost, and cost-effectiveness of a DOTS-Plus pilot project established at Makati Medical Center in Manila, the Philippines, in 1999.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oromucosal low-dose interferon following prednisone withdrawal for chronic hepatitis B infection in Filipino patients.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oromucosal low-dose human lymphoblastoid interferon alpha (IFN-alpha-n1 [INS]) following steroid withdrawal in Filipino patients with chronic replicative hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Study Design: Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial on IFN-alpha-n1 [INS], two tablets of 200 IU each or placebo, given sublingually once daily for eight months following steroid or placebo priming and withdrawal.

Results: A statistically significant clearance of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (50%) and seroconversion to positive antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe) (42.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of a tophaceous pseudogout nodule.

Musculoskeletal infections are uncommon complications of monosodium urate and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease, and frequently involve gram positive and negative organisms. Tumoral calcinosis (tophaceous pseudogout) is a rare manifestation of CPPD deposition disease. We describe a highly unusual case of an infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) of a tophaceous pseudogout nodule in a patient with endstage renal disease.