No increased risk of tuberculosis-related immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome with integrase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy in people with HIV with profound immunosuppression.

Introduction: The issue of whether integrase inhibitors (INSTIs) may confer a higher risk of paradoxical tuberculosis-related immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) compared with other classes of antiretroviral in people with HIV with a profound level of immunosuppression remains insufficiently explored. We aimed to assess whether such a higher risk exists by examining a cohort of patients with TB-HIV initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Hong Kong.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 133 patients registered in the TB-HIV Registry of the Department of Health during the period 2014-2021.

T-Spot.TB outperforms tuberculin skin test in predicting development of active tuberculosis among household contacts.

Background And Objective: In Hong Kong, neonatal Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination is practiced with 99% coverage. This study was to compare the performance of T-Spot.TB and tuberculin skin test (TST) in predicting tuberculosis (TB) among household contacts.

The deformation and longitudinal excursion of median nerve during digits movement and wrist extension.

The use of electronic devices, such as mobile phones and computers, has increased drastically among the young generation, but the potential health effects of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) on university students has not been comprehensively examined. Thirty-one university students aged 18 to 25 y with no symptoms of CTS were successfully recruited in this study. By using noninvasive ultrasonography, the morphological characteristics of the median nerve of each volunteer, and the extent of its longitudinal excursion movement under experimental conditions, in which a real operating environment of electronic devices was simulated, were quantified.

T-Spot.TB outperforms tuberculin skin test in predicting tuberculosis disease.

Rationale: Silicosis is a well-recognized risk factor for tuberculosis (TB).

Objectives: To compare T-Spot.TB with tuberculin skin test (TST) in predicting the development of TB.

Choice of spirometric reference values for compensation assessment.

Background And Objective: Two sets of local reference values are available for spirometry in Hong Kong, but it is uncertain how well they work in the assessment of occupational lung diseases. This study examined their relative performance in the compensational assessment of silicosis.

Methods: Local reference values published in 1982 and 2006 were compared in two different populations comprising normal construction/quarry workers and silicosis patients.

American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society 2005 standardization of DL measurement: impact on performance.

Background And Objective: An updated standardization statement on measurement of DL(CO) was issued by the American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) Task Force in 2005. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of new recommendations on the success rate, test efficiency, measurement variability and reported results of DL(CO) testing.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 55 Chinese patients without previous experience of the DL(CO) test in 2006.

Risk of active tuberculosis among schoolchildren in Hong Kong.

Objective: To estimate the risk of active tuberculosis (TB) and its implication on preventive treatment among BCG-vaccinated schoolchildren.

Design: Cohort and case-control designs.

Setting: Community settings in a high-prevalence area.

Seasonal pattern of tuberculosis in Hong Kong.

Background: Summer predominance of tuberculosis (TB) was reported previously in temperate regions. No consistent data were available for lower latitudes.

Method: The monthly TB notification data in Hong Kong from 1991 to 2002 were examined for seasonal fluctuation.

Initial experience on rifampin and pyrazinamide vs isoniazid in the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection among patients with silicosis in Hong Kong.

Objective: To compare the adverse effects and treatment adherence between 2 months of rifampin plus pyrazinamide (2RZ) and 6 months of isoniazid (6H).

Background: Patients with silicosis in Hong Kong are at high risk of acquiring tuberculosis. A previous study showed that treatment with 6H reduced the risk of silico-tuberculosis by one half.