RESUMEN
Highly nonlinear optical materials with strong effective photon-photon interactions are required for ultrafast and quantum optical signal processing circuitry. Here we report strong Kerr-like nonlinearities by employing efficient optical transitions of charged excitons (trions) observed in semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). By hybridising trions in monolayer MoSe2 at low electron densities with a microcavity mode, we realise trion-polaritons exhibiting significant energy shifts at small photon fluxes due to phase space filling. We find the ratio of trion- to neutral exciton-polariton interaction strength is in the range from 10 to 100 in TMDC materials and that trion-polariton nonlinearity is comparable to that in other polariton systems. The results are in good agreement with a theory accounting for the composite nature of excitons and trions and deviation of their statistics from that of ideal bosons and fermions. Our findings open a way to scalable quantum optics applications with TMDCs.
RESUMEN
Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) provide a unique possibility to generate and read-out excitonic valley coherence using linearly polarized light, opening the way to valley information transfer between distant systems. However, these excitons have short lifetimes (ps) and efficiently lose their valley coherence via the electron-hole exchange interaction. Here, we show that control of these processes can be gained by embedding a monolayer of WSe2 in an optical microcavity, forming part-light-part-matter exciton-polaritons. We demonstrate optical initialization of valley coherent polariton populations, exhibiting luminescence with a linear polarization degree up to 3 times higher than displayed by bare excitons. We utilize an external magnetic field alongside selective exciton-cavity-mode detuning to control the polariton valley pseudospin vector rotation, which reaches 45° at B = 8 T. This work provides unique insight into the decoherence mechanisms in TMDs and demonstrates the potential for engineering the valley pseudospin dynamics in monolayer semiconductors embedded in photonic structures.
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Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia (BEHGD) and intramucosal esophageal adenocarcinoma (IMC) can be treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Efficacy of RFA and EMR in academic medical centers has been demonstrated in previous studies. However, the clinical effectiveness of this approach in community clinical practice is not fully established.All patients with biopsy-proven BEHGD and IMC (T1a), who were treated endoscopically between 2007 and 2014, were prospectively enrolled. Treatment algorithms were determined by consensus opinion after presentation at gastrointestinal tumor board. Patients underwent EMR and/or RFA until eradication-of-dysplasia and complete remission of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) was achieved. Patients were then enrolled in an endoscopic surveillance program.A total of 60 patients underwent endoscopic therapy for BEHGD (32) or IMC (28). Median length BE was 4 cm. Forty-six patients had EMR. Median treatment interval was nine months. Median follow-up was 33 months (Interquartile range: 16-50). Fifty-five (92%) patients achieved eradication-of-dysplasia and 52(87%) CRIM. One patient with BEHGD did not achieve any benefit six months into treatment. Nine (15%) patients relapsed after CRIM with nondysplastic-BE (6), BE with low-grade dysplasia (1), and BEHGD (2). After retreatment, eradication-of-intestinal metaplasia was achieved in five patients. BE length was a negative predictor for achieving CRIM (OR 0.81; P = 0.04). There were no procedure-related severe complications. Eleven patients with prior EMR developed symptomatic strictures, which were all successfully dilated.Endoscopic management of BEHGD and IMC can be safely and effectively performed in a community clinical practice similarly to high-volume academic medical centers when performed by advanced endoscopists following multidisciplinary approach.
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Esófago de Barrett/cirugía , Competencia Clínica/estadística & datos numéricos , Centros Comunitarios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Neoplasias Esofágicas/cirugía , Esofagoscopía/estadística & datos numéricos , Anciano , Esófago de Barrett/patología , Mucosa Esofágica/patología , Mucosa Esofágica/cirugía , Neoplasias Esofágicas/patología , Esofagoscopía/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Hiperplasia/patología , Hiperplasia/cirugía , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important first-line drug in all existing and new tuberculosis (TB) treatment regimens. PZA-resistance in M. tuberculosis is increasing, especially among M/XDR cases. Noted issues with PZA Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) have driven the search for alternative tests. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of PZA molecular diagnostics in M/XDR TB cases. A set of 296, mostly XDR, clinical M. tuberculosis isolates from four countries were subjected to DST for eight drugs, confirmatory Wayne's assay, and whole-genome sequencing. Three genes implicated in PZA resistance, pncA, rpsA, and panD were investigated. Assuming all non-synonymous mutations cause resistance, we report 90% sensitivity and 65% specificity for a pncA-based molecular test. The addition of rpsA and panD potentially provides 2% increase in sensitivity. Molecular heterogeneity in pncA was associated with resistance and should be evaluated as a diagnostic tool. Mutations near the N-terminus and C-terminus of PZase were associated with East-Asian and Euro-American lineages, respectively. Finally, Euro-American isolates are most likely to have a wild-type PZase and escape molecular detection. Overall, the 8-10% resistance without markers may point to alternative mechanisms of resistance. Confirmatory mutagenesis may improve the disconcertingly low specificity but reduce sensitivity since not all mutations may cause resistance.
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Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana/genética , Mutación , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Análisis Mutacional de ADN , Humanos , PirazinamidaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a recently updated rapid molecular diagnostic test, GenoType® MTBDRplus version 2, designed to detect drug resistance in both acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear-negative and -positive specimens. DESIGN: Sputum samples from 1128 patients at risk for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) were tested using MTBDRplus v2 and compared with reference standard MGIT™ 960™ drug susceptibility testing. The relationship of participant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, diabetic status, previous treatment, and smear gradation to the likelihood of obtaining an interpretable result was assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of MTBDRplus v2 for detecting MDR-TB, when compared to a reference standard, were respectively 96.0% (95%CI 93.5-97.6) and 99.2% (95%CI 97.0-99.9) in AFB smear-positive specimens and 82.8% (95%CI 63.5-93.5) and 98.3% (95%CI 89.9-99.9) in AFB smear-negative specimens. A dose-response relationship was observed between the proportion of interpretable test results and AFB smear bacterial load after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, HIV status, previous treatment and diabetic status. CONCLUSION: While MTBDRplus v2 performs well among both AFB smear-positive and -negative specimens, smear gradation appears to influence both the probability of obtaining an interpretable result and test sensitivity, indicating a significant association between bacillary load and test performance.
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Técnicas Bacteriológicas , ADN Bacteriano/genética , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple/genética , Pulmón/microbiología , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Molecular , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/diagnóstico , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Adulto , Carga Bacteriana , Técnicas Bacteriológicas/normas , Calibración , ADN Bacteriano/aislamiento & purificación , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Molecular/normas , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/aislamiento & purificación , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Estudios Prospectivos , Estándares de Referencia , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Esputo/microbiología , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/microbiología , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/microbiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Molecular diagnostic assays, with their ability to rapidly detect resistance-associated mutations in bacterial genes, are promising technologies to control the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). Sequencing assays provide detailed information for specific gene regions and can help diagnostic assay developers prioritize mutations for inclusion in their assays. We performed pyrosequencing of seven Mycobacterium tuberculosis gene regions (katG, inhA, ahpC, rpoB, gyrA, rrs, and eis) for 1,128 clinical specimens from India, Moldova, and South Africa. We determined the frequencies of each mutation among drug-resistant and -susceptible specimens based on phenotypic drug susceptibility testing results and examined mutation distributions by country. The most common mutation among isoniazid-resistant (INH(r)) specimens was the katG 315ACC mutation (87%). However, in the Eastern Cape, INH(r) specimens had a lower frequency of katG mutations (44%) and higher frequencies of inhA (47%) and ahpC (10%) promoter mutations. The most common mutation among rifampin-resistant (RIF(r)) specimens was the rpoB 531TTG mutation (80%). The mutation was common in RIF(r) specimens in Mumbai (83%) and Moldova (84%) but not the Eastern Cape (17%), where the 516GTC mutation appeared more frequently (57%). The most common mutation among fluoroquinolone-resistant specimens was the gyrA 94GGC mutation (44%). The rrs 1401G mutation was found in 84%, 84%, and 50% of amikacin-resistant, capreomycin-resistant, and kanamycin (KAN)-resistant (KAN(r)) specimens, respectively. The eis promoter mutation -12T was found in 26% of KAN(r) and 4% of KAN-susceptible (KAN(s)) specimens. Inclusion of the ahpC and eis promoter gene regions was critical for optimal test sensitivity for the detection of INH resistance in the Eastern Cape and KAN resistance in Moldova. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration number NCT02170441.).
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Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Capreomicina/uso terapéutico , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple/genética , Isoniazida/uso terapéutico , Kanamicina/uso terapéutico , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Moldavia , Mutación , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efectos de los fármacos , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/patogenicidad , Rifampin/uso terapéutico , Sudáfrica , Tuberculosis , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug used to treat many pathological conditions in turtles. With the aim to fill the lack of data about its pharmacokinetic in this species, eighteen turtles (Trachemys scripta scripta) were divided in three groups and treated with a single dose of meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) by intramuscular, intracoelomic and oral route, respectively. At scheduled time points, blood samples were collected and meloxicam concentrations were determined by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from the obtained concentration-time curves. After intramuscular treatment, a plasma peak of meloxicam equal to 1590.03 ± 1845.32 ng/mL (mean ± SD) and a Tmax of 1.17 ± 0.45 h were reached, indicating a quick absorption of the drug. The intracoelomic administration brought to the largest AUC (12621.04 ± 6203.79 h*ng/mL) and to a Cmax and a Tmax equal to 1154.52 ± 662.78 ng/mL and 2.82 ± 1.39 h, respectively. Following oral treatment, the plasma concentrations of meloxicam were very low indicating a scarce absorption. Further studies are warranted to determine the effective plasma concentration of meloxicam in turtles and, consequently, the dosage regimen.
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Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/farmacocinética , Tiazinas/farmacocinética , Tiazoles/farmacocinética , Tortugas/sangre , Animales , Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/administración & dosificación , Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/sangre , Área Bajo la Curva , Vías de Administración de Medicamentos , Femenino , Semivida , Meloxicam , Tiazinas/administración & dosificación , Tiazinas/sangre , Tiazoles/administración & dosificación , Tiazoles/sangreRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Although line-probe assays (LPAs) are promising, little research has been conducted to elucidate the true nature of indeterminate LPA results or assess the ability of these assays to perform on a wide range of clinical samples. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the commercially available GenoType(®) MTBDRplus LPA against conventional BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST) among 308 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and 32 extra-pulmonary TB samples. RESULTS: Invalid LPA results (defined as those with a missing Mycobacterium tuberculosis identification band) were obtained for 18 PTB samples, which were excluded from further analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of the MTBDRplus assay for multidrug-resistant TB, based upon the results obtained for the remaining 322 samples, was respectively 95.2% and 95.1%. Of 290 PTB samples, 40 (13.7%) were indeterminate on LPA (defined as the absence of both wild-type and corresponding mutation bands) for isoniazid (INH) and/or rifampicin (RMP), and were further evaluated by pyrosequencing (PSQ). Contrary to standard LPA interpretation, INH and RMP susceptibility were confirmed by both DST and PSQ in respectively 7.5% (3/40) and 27.5% (11/40) of indeterminate samples. CONCLUSION: PSQ was found to be a valuable and rapid technique to resolve discrepancies in LPA test results that were not interpretable.
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Técnicas Bacteriológicas , ADN Bacteriano/genética , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/diagnóstico , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Antituberculosos/uso terapéutico , Estudios Transversales , Análisis Mutacional de ADN , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple/genética , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Mutación , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efectos de los fármacos , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/aislamiento & purificación , Fenotipo , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Esputo/microbiología , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/tratamiento farmacológico , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/microbiología , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/tratamiento farmacológico , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/microbiologíaRESUMEN
SETTING: Rifampin (RMP) resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis is usually assumed to be resistant to all rifamycins. Increasing evidence indicates, however, that some rpoB mutations, detectable by rapid molecular diagnostics, confer resistance to RMP but not to rifabutin (RBT), suggesting that RBT may be effective for the treatment of M. tuberculosis with these mutations. OBJECTIVE: To determine if specific rpoB mutations reliably predict differential phenotypic resistance to RMP and RBT. DESIGN: We selected 60 clinical M. tuberculosis isolates from a repository of multinational multidrug-resistant tuberculosis isolates and stratified them into two groups: 1) those with rpoB mutations suspected to confer differential resistance to RMP and RBT, and 2) those expected to be cross-resistant to RMP and RBT. These assumptions were tested by comparing the phenotypic susceptibilities of RMP/RBT with those predicted by mutations in the rpoB gene. RESULTS: Of 20 suspected RMP-resistant/RBT-susceptible isolates, 15 were RMP-resistant but RBT-susceptible, 3 were RMP- and RBT-susceptible, and 2 were cross-resistant to both RMP and RBT. In comparison, 40 of 40 suspected cross-resistant isolates were both RMP- and RBT-resistant. CONCLUSION: Our data support the association between specific rpoB mutations and differential resistance of M. tuberculosis to RMP and RBT. Clinical studies are required to investigate the efficacy of RBT in the treatment of M. tuberculosis harboring these mutations.
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Antibióticos Antituberculosos/farmacología , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , ARN Polimerasas Dirigidas por ADN/genética , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efectos de los fármacos , Rifabutina/farmacología , Rifampin/farmacología , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple , Humanos , Mutación , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/aislamiento & purificación , Estudios Retrospectivos , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/tratamiento farmacológico , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/microbiologíaRESUMEN
The purpose of the present study was to correlate gyrA mutations found in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates using the GenoType(®) MTBDRsl assay with minimum inhibitory concentrations of the fluoroquinolone levofloxacin (LVX). Of 123 archived clinical M. tuberculosis isolates evaluated, 93 isolates had an Ala90Val, Ser91Pro, Asp94Ala, Asn/Tyr, Gly or His mutation and 30 were wild-type. Phenotypically, gyrA mutations Ala90Val, Ser91Pro or Asp94Ala showed a low level of resistance to LVX, while Asp94Asn/Tyr, Asp94Gly or Asp94His mutations had high-level resistance.
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Antituberculosos/farmacología , Levofloxacino/farmacología , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efectos de los fármacos , Girasa de ADN/genética , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Mutación , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/aislamiento & purificación , Tuberculosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Tuberculosis/microbiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate rapid, molecular-based drug susceptibility testing (DST) for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), we assembled a phenotypically and genotypically diverse collection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients evaluated for drug resistance in four high-burden countries. METHODS: M. tuberculosis isolates from India (n = 111), Moldova (n = 90), the Philippines (n = 96), and South Africa (n = 103) were selected from existing regional and national repositories to maximize phenotypic diversity for resistance to isoniazid, rifampin (RMP), moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, amikacin, kanamycin, and capreomycin. MGIT™ 960 was performed on viable isolates in one laboratory using standardized procedures and drug concentrations. Genetic diversity within drug resistance phenotypes was assessed. RESULTS: Nineteen distinct phenotypes were observed among 400 isolates with complete DST results. Diversity was greatest in the Philippines (14 phenotypes), and least in South Africa (9 phenotypes). Nearly all phenotypes included multiple genotypes. All sites provided isolates resistant to injectables but susceptible to fluoroquinolones. Many patients were taking drugs to which their disease was resistant. DISCUSSION: Diverse phenotypes for XDR-TB-defining drugs, including resistance to fluoroquinolones and/or injectable drugs in RMP-susceptible isolates, indicate that RMP susceptibility does not ensure effectiveness of a standard four-drug regimen. Rapid, low-cost DST assays for first- and second-line drugs are thus needed.
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Antituberculosos/uso terapéutico , Tuberculosis Extensivamente Resistente a Drogas/tratamiento farmacológico , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efectos de los fármacos , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/aislamiento & purificación , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Genotipo , Humanos , India , Masculino , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Persona de Mediana Edad , Moldavia , Fenotipo , Filipinas , Sudáfrica , Esputo/microbiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The intra-articular administration of lidocaine is a frequent practice in human orthopaedic surgical procedures, but an eventual absorption of the drug into the bloodstream can lead to toxicity, mainly concerning the central nervous system and the cardiovascular systems. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile and the safety, in terms of cardiovascular and CNS toxicity, of lidocaine after intra-articular administration to anesthetized dogs undergoing arthroscopy. Lidocaine 2% was administered to eight dogs before surgery in differing amounts, depending on the volume of the joints involved, and blood samples were taken at predetermined time points. The maximum serum concentration of lidocaine ranged from 0.50 to 3.01 µg/mL (mean ± SD: 2.18 ± 0.91 µg/mL), and the time to reach it was 28.75 ± 15.74 min. No signs of cardiac toxicity were detected during the entire procedure, and possible signs of CNS toxicity were masked by the anaesthesia. However, concentrations reported in literature as responsible for neurotoxicity in dog were achieved in three of eight investigated subjects. Pending further studies, veterinarians should consider the possibility of side effects occurring following the intra-articular administration of local anaesthetics.
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Anestesia General/veterinaria , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/veterinaria , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Central/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Perros/inducido químicamente , Lidocaína/farmacocinética , Anestésicos Locales/administración & dosificación , Anestésicos Locales/efectos adversos , Anestésicos Locales/farmacocinética , Animales , Área Bajo la Curva , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/inducido químicamente , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Central/inducido químicamente , Perros , Femenino , Semivida , Inyecciones Intraarticulares , Lidocaína/administración & dosificación , Lidocaína/efectos adversos , MasculinoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To establish breakpoint concentrations for the fluoroquinolones (moxifloxacin [MFX] and ofloxacin [OFX]) and injectable second-line drugs (amikacin [AMK], kanamycin [KM] and capreomycin [CPM]) using the microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) assay. SETTING: A multinational study conducted between February 2011 and August 2012 in Peru, India, Moldova and South Africa. DESIGN: In the first phase, breakpoints for the fluoroquinolones and injectable second-line drugs (n = 58) were determined. In the second phase, MODS second-line drug susceptibility testing (DST) as an indirect test was compared to MGIT™ DST (n = 89). In the third (n = 30) and fourth (n = 156) phases, we determined the reproducibility and concordance of MODS second-line DST directly from sputum. RESULTS: Breakpoints for MFX (0.5 µg/ml), OFX (1 µg/ml), AMK (2 µg/ml), KM (5 µg/ml) and CPM (2.5 µg/ml) were determined. In all phases, MODS results were highly concordant with MGIT DST. The few discrepancies suggest that the MODS breakpoint concentrations for some drugs may be too low. CONCLUSION: MODS second-line DST yielded comparable results to MGIT second-line DST, and is thus a promising alternative. Further studies are needed to confirm the accuracy of the drug breakpoints and the reliability of MODS second-line DST as a direct test.
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Antituberculosos/uso terapéutico , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana/métodos , Microscopía , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efectos de los fármacos , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/diagnóstico , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/tratamiento farmacológico , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/tratamiento farmacológico , Amicacina/uso terapéutico , Capreomicina/uso terapéutico , Fluoroquinolonas/uso terapéutico , Humanos , India , Kanamicina/uso terapéutico , Moldavia , Moxifloxacino , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/aislamiento & purificación , Ofloxacino/uso terapéutico , Perú , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sudáfrica , Esputo/microbiología , Tuberculosis Resistente a Múltiples Medicamentos/microbiología , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/microbiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: We studied prevalence and correlates of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among injection drug users (IDUs) in Tijuana, Mexico, where tuberculosis (TB) is endemic. METHODS: IDUs aged > or =18 years were recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS) and underwent standardized interviews, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing and LTBI screening using Quanti-FERON((R))-TB Gold In-Tube, a whole-blood interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). LTBI prevalence was estimated and correlates were identified using RDS-weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 1020 IDUs, 681 (67%) tested IGRA-positive and 44 (4%) tested HIV-positive. Mean age was 37 years, 88% were male and 98% were Mexican-born. IGRA positivity was associated with recruitment nearest the US border (aOR 1.64, 95%CI 1.09-2.48), increasing years of injection (aOR 1.20/5 years, 95%CI 1.07-1.34), and years lived in Tijuana (aOR 1.10/5 years, 95%CI 1.03-1.18). Speaking some English (aOR 0.38, 95%CI 0.25-0.57) and injecting most often at home in the past 6 months (aOR 0.68, 95%CI 0.45-0.99) were inversely associated with IGRA positivity. DISCUSSION: Increased LTBI prevalence among IDUs in Tijuana appears to be associated with greater drug involvement. Given the high risk for HIV infection among Tijuana's IDUs, interventions are urgently needed to prevent HIV infection and treat LTBI among IDUs before these epidemics collide.
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Abuso de Sustancias por Vía Intravenosa/complicaciones , Tuberculosis/epidemiología , Adulto , Biomarcadores/sangre , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Interferón gamma/sangre , Masculino , México/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Pronóstico , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Abuso de Sustancias por Vía Intravenosa/sangre , Abuso de Sustancias por Vía Intravenosa/epidemiología , Tuberculosis/sangre , Tuberculosis/complicacionesRESUMEN
In resource-limited settings, tuberculosis (TB) is often diagnosed by non-physicians using the acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear only. This study examines the diagnostic accuracy of various clinicians using patient-risk history, radiography and AFB smear. A total of 321 physicians, nurses and medical students evaluated 22 profiles of TB suspects and quantified their clinical suspicion (1-99%). Culture results determined diagnostic accuracy. Overall, high-level physician training may not be required; nurses working on TB, given radiograph readings, were as accurate as TB physicians and more accurate than other physicians and clinicians. By considering clinical findings with smear results, TB specialists were significantly more accurate than smear results alone.
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Técnicas Bacteriológicas/normas , Diagnóstico por Imagen/normas , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/aislamiento & purificación , Competencia Profesional , Tuberculosis/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Humanos , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
The National Tuberculosis Curriculum Consortium (NTCC) seeks to instill knowledge, skills, and appropriate attitudes in the management and control of tuberculosis (TB) among students in the health professions. Unlike other organizations that have produced quality educational materials aimed at practicing clinicians, public health workers, and the general public, the NTCC is primarily focused on undergraduate and graduate education. The NTCC includes geographically disparate faculty from schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, respiratory therapy, clinical laboratory sciences, and physician assistant who are experts in the areas of TB, curriculum development, and educational computing. Collaboration occurs through meetings, phone conferences and an innovative web portal that provides a work zone used to develop, organize, and archive products and resources. A critical accomplishment of the Consortium has been the development of core competencies for TB education for graduates in each of the health care disciplines. Those for medical schools are presented in this article. Current NTCC efforts are directed at developing interactive materials for TB education that can be accessed by multi-disciplinary faculty, nationally and abroad. The collaborative effort of the NTCC serves as a model for future endeavors to strengthen curricula, particularly pertaining to health concerns that are best served by multi-disciplinary approaches.
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Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Personal de Salud/educación , Modelos Educacionales , Tuberculosis/prevención & control , Conducta Cooperativa , Curriculum , Humanos , Competencia Profesional , Tuberculosis/epidemiología , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
SETTING: University of California San Diego Medical Center, USA. OBJECTIVE: To create a simple screening strategy for tuberculosis (TB) that includes antibody detection assays to improve the accuracy of microscopic examination of sputum for acid-fast bacilli (AFB smear). METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 190 patients suspected of having active TB. TB diagnosis was established by Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture. HIV status was determined by commercial serologic tests. IgG antibody levels were measured by ELISA using purified M. tuberculosis antigens. Data from 130 randomly selected patients were used to develop a screening strategy; data from the remaining 60 patients were used for validation. RESULTS: AFB smear had 70% sensitivity and 88% specificity. In algorithms integrating single or multi-antigen ELISA with AFB smear and HIV results, the sensitivity improved over each test alone. The algorithm that included a four-antigen ELISA (38 kDa antigen, lipoarabinomannan, MPT-64 and glutamine synthase) had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 76%. Compared to AFB smear, the sensitivity of the algorithm was significantly higher, while the specificity was not statistically different. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a screening strategy can be created by integrating multi-antigen ELISA with AFB smear and HIV testing.
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Microscopía/métodos , Pruebas Serológicas/métodos , Esputo/microbiología , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Adulto , Algoritmos , Intervalos de Confianza , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/diagnóstico , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
Proteins secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis are targets of host immune responses and as such are investigated for vaccine and immunodiagnostics development. Computer-driven searches of the M. tuberculosis H37Rv genome had previously identified 45 novel secreted proteins. Here, we report the characterization of these antigens in terms of specificity for the M. tuberculosis complex and the ability to induce human immune responses. BLAST homology searches and Southern hybridization identified 10 genes that were either specific for the M. tuberculosis complex or found in only two nontuberculous mycobacterial species of minor medical significance. Selected recombinant proteins were purified from Escherichia coli cells and tested for the ability to elicit antibody responses in tuberculosis patients. Reactivity of the serum panel was ' 36% with at least one of five novel proteins (Rv0203, Rv0603, Rv1271c, Rv1804c and Rv2253), 56% with the 38 kDa lipoprotein, a M. tuberculosis antigen known to be highly seroreactive, and 68% with a combination of Rv0203, Rv1271c and the 38 kDa antigen. Thus, at least five novel secreted proteins induce antibody responses during active disease; some of these proteins may increase the sensitivity of serological assays based on the 38 kDa antigen.
Asunto(s)
Antígenos Bacterianos/inmunología , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/inmunología , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/microbiología , Anticuerpos Antibacterianos/sangre , Antígenos Bacterianos/genética , Western Blotting , Clonación Molecular , ADN Bacteriano/química , ADN Bacteriano/genética , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Humanos , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Proteínas Recombinantes/inmunología , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/inmunologíaRESUMEN
SETTING: A survey conducted in San Diego County. OBJECTIVE: To assess local physicians' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: The survey consisted of questions covering diagnosis and treatment of active disease, diagnosis and treatment of latent infection, and infection control. The survey was sent to physicians who reported a TB case or suspect to the local health department in the years 1995-1997. RESULTS: Of the 384 physicians in this group, 150 (39%) returned the survey form. The percentage of physicians whose response conformed to health department guidelines varied widely from question to question (51%-94%, median 83%). Pulmonary medicine and infectious diseases specialists, physicians educated completely in the United States (US), and physicians who treated six or more TB patients in the past 2 years were more likely to give answers in agreement with health department policies. CONCLUSIONS: Because the response rate to the survey was low, these findings may not be completely representative of the targeted group of physicians. Nevertheless, they may indicate that health care provider education about TB management standards is needed.
Asunto(s)
Tuberculosis/terapia , California/epidemiología , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S./normas , Recolección de Datos , Adhesión a Directriz/normas , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Médicos , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto/normas , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/normas , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Bacterial DNA and its synthetic immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotide analogs (ISS-ODN) activate innate immunity and promote Th1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte immune responses. Based on these activities, we investigated whether ISS-ODN could modify the course of Mycobacterium avium infection. M. avium growth in vitro was significantly inhibited by ISS-ODN treatment of human and mouse macrophages, and M. avium growth in vivo was similarly inhibited in C57BL/6 mice treated with ISS-ODN. This protective effect of ISS-ODN was largely independent of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 12 (IL-12), nitric oxide, NADPH oxidase, alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta), and IFN-gamma. In contrast, we found that the induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) was required for the antimycobacterial effect of ISS-ODN. To evaluate the potential for synergism between ISS-ODN and other antimycobacterial agents, treatment with a combination of ISS-ODN and clarithromycin (CLA) was tested in vitro and in vivo. ISS-ODN significantly enhanced the therapeutic effect of CLA in both human and mouse macrophages and in C57BL/6 mice. This study newly identifies IDO as being involved in the antimicrobial activity of ISS-ODN and suggests the usefulness of ISS-ODN when used in combination with conventional chemotherapy for microbial infections.