Relapse after treatment with standardized all-oral short regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB): A systematic review and -analysis.

Background: Treatment for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) has been shortened to 12 months or less, with duration depending on the regimen used and treatment response. Treatment shortening has the potential to increase the risk of relapse, with a new episode of RR-TB after cure or completion. The proportion of relapses after standardized all-oral short (12 months or less) RR-TB regimens has not yet been systematically reviewed, which is the main objective of this review.

Diagnostic performance of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) based illumigene malaria assay in a non-endemic region.

Background: Light microscopy and antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests are the primary diagnostic tools for detecting malaria, although being labour-intensive and frequently challenged by lack of personnel's experience and low levels of parasite density. The latter being especially important in non-endemic settings. Novel molecular techniques aim to overcome this drawback.