Scale-Up of Rifapentine and Isoniazid for Tuberculosis Prevention Among Household Contacts in 2 Urban Centers: An Effectiveness Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Scaling up a shorter preventive regimen such as weekly isoniazid and rifapentine (3HP) for 3 months is a priority for tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT). However, there are limited data on 3HP acceptability and completion from high-burden-TB countries. METHODS: We scaled up 3HP from 2018 to 2021 in 2 cities in Pakistan. Eligible participants were household contacts of persons diagnosed with TB disease. Participants were prescribed 3HP after ruling out TB disease. Treatment was self-administered. We analyzed the proportion who completed 3HP. RESULTS: In Karachi, we verbally screened 22 054 household contacts of all ages. Of these, 83% were clinically evaluated and 3% were diagnosed with TB. Of household contacts without TB disease, 59% initiated the 3HP regimen, of which 69% completed treatment. In Peshawar, we verbally screened 6389 household contacts of all ages. We evaluated 95% of household contacts, of whom 2% were diagnosed with TB disease. Among those without TB disease, 65% initiated 3HP, of which 93% completed. Factors associated with higher 3HP completion included residence in Peshawar (risk ratio [RR], 1.35 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.32-1.37]), index patient being a male (RR, 1.03 [95% CI: 1.01-1.05]), and index patient with extrapulmonary TB compared to bacteriologically positive pulmonary TB (RR, 1.10 [95% CI: 1.06-1.14]). The age of the index patient was inversely associated with completion. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high level of acceptance and completion of 3HP in programs implemented in 2 cities in Pakistan, with differences observed across the cities. These findings suggest that 3HP can be effectively scaled up in urban settings to improve the reach and impact of TPT.

Comparative evaluation of the apical leakage of different bioceramic retrofilling materials with and without smear layer: A stereomicroscopic study.

Objective: Present in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the apical leakage of different bioceramic retrofilling materials with and without smear layer. Materials and Methods: : Sixty human single-rooted teeth were decoronated at a standardized root length of 13 mm, chemo-mechanically prepared and obturated. After obturation, root-end resection was done and root-end cavities were prepared using ultrasonic tips. The specimens with prepared retro cavities were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n = 30) based on the smear layer removal protocol used. Each group was further subdivided into 3 subgroups (n = 10) based on the bioceramic retrofilling material MTA (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate; Proroot Dentsply/Tulsa), CEM (Calcium-Enriched Mixture; Bionique Dent, Tehran) and ERRM (EndoSequence® Root Repair Material; Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA). The extension of dye (2% Rhodamine B) penetration was measured in millimetre using a stereomicroscope at 10× zoom. Results were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) test and unpaired Student's t test. Results: In the presence of smear layer, MTA demonstrated maximum mean apical leakage value (1.70 ± 0.30), followed by CEM (1.40 ± 0.37) and ERRM (1.40 ± 0.23), which was statistically not significant. Without the smear layer, ERRM demonstrated the least mean apical leakage value, which was statistically significant as compared with CEM (P <.05) and MTA (P <.01). Conclusion(s): : All bioceramic retrofilling materials demonstrated apical leakage irrespective of the presence or absence of the smear layer. The presence of a smear layer is beneficial for the sealing ability of MTA and CEM, whereas, the absence of the smear layer is advocated while using ERRM.

Rapidly changing pulmonary infiltrates.

Pulmonary eosinophilia responds very quickly to steroid treatment. Chronic pulmonary eosinophilia is common in middle aged females. We report on a patient who presented with subacute onset of shortness of breath, severe weight loss associated with a rise in the peripheral eosinophil count. She was treated successfully with steroids resulting in complete resolution of the pulmonary infiltrates.