Patient Profile-Based Management with Nintedanib in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

A severe and progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has an unknown etiology with poorly defined mechanisms of development. Among the currently prescribed pharmacological interventions for IPF, nintedanib demonstrates the ability to decelerate the deterioration of lung function and yield positive clinical outcomes. Multiple randomized placebo-controlled trials have confirmed the efficacy and acceptable safety profile of nintedanib.

and Sequence Variations in Brazilian Asthmatic Patients.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory condition, characterized by variable airflow limitation, leading to clinical symptoms such as dyspnea and chest tightness. These symptoms result from an underlying inflammatory process. The β2 agonists are bronchodilators prescribed for the relief of the disease.

Safety and Efficacy of 25 mg/kg and 35 mg/kg vs 10 mg/kg Rifampicin in Pulmonary TB: A Phase IIb Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Globally, no trial data are available on head-to-head comparison between 10 mg/kg and 25/35 mg/kg rifampicin in treating pulmonary tuberculosis during study initiation.

Methods: A multicentric, phase IIb randomized trial recruited 333 new culture-positive, drug-sensitive adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis to compare safety and efficacy of high-dose rifampicin (R25/R35), against conventional dose (R10) given daily for 8 weeks followed by standard doses for 16 weeks. Main outcomes were treatment-emergent grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) and time-to-culture conversion in liquid media, assessed by division of AIDS system for grading the severity of adverse events division of AIDS criteria and Kaplan-Meier methods.

Latent TB infection in children and adolescents: Scientific rationale and programmatic management.

As we march towards the goals of TB elimination, one area of focus is on TB preventive therapy which deals with treatment of latent TB infection, the pool from which future TB cases are generated. Children are particularly vulnerable to disseminated TB and seriously ill TB like TB meningitis, which highlights the need for addressing latent TB infection in the age group of 0-18 years. The national TB elimination program has extended it's strategy to include TB preventive therapy from treating children <5 years and PLHIV to treating children ≥5 years, adolescents and adult household contacts of TB cases and at risk immunosuppressed groups.

Serum from patients with asthma potentiates macrophage phagocytosis and human mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in experimental allergic asthma.

Background/aims: Although several studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit beneficial immunomodulatory properties in preclinical models of allergic asthma, effects on airway remodeling have been controversial. Recent evidence has shown that MSCs modify their in vivo immunomodulatory actions depending on the specific inflammatory environment encountered. Accordingly, we assessed whether the therapeutic properties of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) could be potentiated by conditioning these cells with serum (hMSC-serum) obtained from patients with asthma and then transplanted in an experimental model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic asthma.

Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of COVID-19 Patients with Omicron Variant Admitted in a Tertiary Care Center, South India.

Background And Objectives: Omicron, a variant of SARS COV2, is looming large as a cause of global concern. Its high transmissibility can pose challenges in healthcare allocation in a highly populous country like India. Studying the behaviour of the virus among the Indian population will definitely help in planning for the impending omicron surge, so we conducted a preliminary analysis of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the suspected omicron cases in the early part of the surge.

Predictors of unfavorable responses to therapy in rifampicin-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis using an integrated approach of radiological presentation and sputum mycobacterial burden.

Introduction: Despite the exalted status of sputum mycobacterial load for gauging pulmonary tuberculosis treatment and progress, Chest X-rays supplement valuable information for taking instantaneous therapeutic decisions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though literature on individual parameters is overwhelming, few studies have explored the interaction between radiographic parameters denoting severity with mycobacterial burden signifying infectivity. By using a sophisticated approach of integrating Chest X-ray parameters with sputum mycobacterial characteristics, evaluated at all the three crucial time points of TB treatment namely pre-treatment, end of intensive phase and completion of treatment, utilizing the interactive Cox Proportional Hazards model, we aimed to precisely deduce predictors of unfavorable response to TB treatment.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells From Emphysematous Donors and Their Extracellular Vesicles Are Unable to Reverse Cardiorespiratory Dysfunction in Experimental Severe Emphysema.

Although bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) appear to be phenotypically and functionally similar to BM-MSCs from healthy sources , the impact of COPD on MSC metabolism and mitochondrial function has not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to comparatively characterize MSCs from healthy and emphysematous donors (H-MSCs and E-MSCs) and to assess the therapeutic potential of these MSCs and their extracellular vesicles (H-EVs and E-EVs) in an model of severe emphysema. For this purpose, C57BL/6 mice received intratracheal porcine pancreatic elastase once weekly for 4 weeks to induce emphysema; control animals received saline under the same protocol.

Autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell therapy in three patients with severe asthma.

Background: Despite recent advances in understanding its pathophysiology and development of novel therapies, asthma remains a serious public health issue worldwide. Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β-adrenoceptor agonists results in disease control for many patients, but those who exhibit severe asthma are often unresponsive to conventional treatment, experiencing worse quality of life, frequent exacerbations, and increasing healthcare costs. Bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation has been shown to reduce airway inflammation and remodeling and improve lung function in experimental models of allergic asthma.

4-month moxifloxacin containing regimens in the treatment of patients with sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in South India - a randomised clinical trial.

Background: Shortening tuberculosis (TB) treatment duration is a research priority. We tested the efficacy and safety of 3- and 4-month regimens containing moxifloxacin in a randomised clinical trial in pulmonary TB (PTB) patients in South India.

Methods: New, sputum-positive, adult, HIV-negative, non-diabetic PTB patients were randomised to 3- or 4-month moxifloxacin regimens [moxifloxacin (M), isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R), pyrazinamide (Z) and ethambutol (E)] or to a control regimen (2H R Z E /4R H ) [C].

Mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in COPD: from bench to bedside.

COPD is the most frequent chronic respiratory disease and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The major risk factor for COPD development is cigarette smoke, and the most efficient treatment for COPD is smoking cessation. However, even after smoking cessation, inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress may persist and continue contributing to disease progression.

Functional analysis of polymorphisms in the COX-2 gene and risk of lung cancer.

The enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is known to be involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis in certain types of cancer. Nevertheless, the prognostic value of COX-2 overexpression and its polymorphisms in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the three most commonly studied COX-2 gene polymorphisms (-1195 G/A, -765 G/C and 8473 T/C) with COX-2 expression and lung cancer risk in a Brazilian cohort.

Nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions targeting the messenger RNA of icl2, hspx, and rRNAP1 genes to detect viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly from clinical specimens.

There is an urgent need for a rapid and reliable test to detect actively multiplying Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly from clinical specimens for an early initiation of the appropriate antituberculous treatment. This study was aimed at the optimization and application of nested reverse transcriptase-PCR (nRT-PCR) targeting the messenger RNA of the icl2, hspx, and rRNAP1 genes directly from sputum specimens, and their evaluation against the culture by the BACTEC MicroMGIT mycobacterial culture system. 203 Sputum samples from clinically suspected tuberculosis patients and 30 control specimens (clinically proven viral or bacterial infections other than tuberculosis) were included in this study.

Pilot safety study of intrabronchial instillation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in patients with silicosis.

Background: Silicosis is an occupational disease for which no effective treatment is currently known. Systemic administration of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMDMCs) has shown to be safe in lung diseases. However, so far, no studies have analyzed whether bronchoscopic instillation of autologous BMDMCs is a safe route of administration in patients with silicosis.

Detection of novel and reported mutations in the rpoB, katG and inhA genes in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis isolates: A hospital-based study.

The objective of this study was to detect mutations associated with isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from newly diagnosed and previously treated tuberculosis patients using a PCR-based DNA sequencing technique. Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing was performed using a BACTEC™ MicroMGIT Culture System in 354 M. tuberculosis isolates.

Whole-Genome Sequencing and Mutation Analysis of Two Extensively Drug-Resistant Sputum Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (VRFCWCF XDRTB 232 and VRFCWCF XDRTB 1028) from Chennai, India.

We announce the draft genome sequence of two extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, VRFCWCF XDRTB 232 and VRFCWCF XDRTB 1028, isolated from the sputum samples of a patient clinically suspected to have tuberculosis, and we also report novel mutations that confer drug resistance.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Streptomycin-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolate VRFCWCF MRTB 180 Reveals Novel and Potential Mutations for Resistance.

We announce the draft genome sequence of a streptomycin monoresistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain (VRFCWCF MRTB 180) isolated from sputum of a clinically suspected tuberculosis patient.

1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D3 downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokine response in pulmonary tuberculosis.

1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] is a potent immunomodulator and regulates various immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The present study aimed to understand the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on pro-inflammatory cytokine response to Mtb antigen. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 42 healthy controls (HCs) and 42 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients were cultured with culture filtrate antigen (CFA) of Mtb with and without 1,25(OH)2D3 at 10(-7)M concentration for 72 h.

Whole Genome Sequence of Polyresistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis CWCFVRF PRTB 19 Sputum Isolate from Chennai, India, Closely Clustering with East African Indian 5 Genogroup.

We announce the draft genome sequence of a polyresistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain (CWCFVRF PRTB 19) isolated from the sputum of a clinically suspected tuberculosis patient, and it closely clusters to the East African Indian 5 (EAI5) lineage.

Sputum culture conversion with moxifloxacin-containing regimens in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in South India.

Background: Rapid sputum culture conversion at 2 months indicates the sterilizing capacity and potential of regimens to shorten duration of tuberculosis treatment. We compared results of sputum culture conversion by moxifloxacin and control regimens and identified factors affecting sputum culture positivity after 2 months of treatment.

Methods: Human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected adults with newly diagnosed smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were randomized to receive a 3- or 4-month moxifloxacin regimen (moxifloxacin [M], isoniazid [H], rifampicin [R], pyrazinamide [Z], ethambutol [E]) or the control regimen (RHZE thrice weekly).

Draft Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain CWCFVRF MDRTB 670, Isolated from the Sputum of a Patient from Chennai, India, with Clinically Suspected Tuberculosis.

We announce the draft genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain (CWCFVRF MDRTB 670) isolated from sputum from a patient with clinically suspected tuberculosis.

Brief communication: rapid culture of tubercle bacilli.

One of the biggest obstacles to the correct diagnosis and efficient treatment of tuberculosis is the absence of a rapid technique for culturing tubercle bacilli and for testing their susceptibility to antituberculosis drugs. Current procedures typically take 6-10 weeks to perform. This article describes a simple, rapid, reliable and cheap method of culturing tubercle bacilli using a liquid medium consisting of a mixture of coconut water, horse serum, glycerol and benzylpenicillin.

A single step culture technique for tubercle bacilli.

A single step method for the digestion and decontamination of sputum for culture of tubercle bacilli is described. This method employs a transport medium containing tri-sodium phosphate and penicillin. Sputum samples are collected directly into the medium and, after standing overnight, deposits are inoculated into Löwenstein-Jensen medium.