Curable Infectious Disease Research Articles

Analysis of Tuberculosis Control (Case Study in The City of Mojokerto) Year 2024

This study aims to analyze the tuberculosis (TB) situation in Mojokerto City, focusing on the increase in cases among children and identifying effective countermeasures. TB, a preventable and curable infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is particularly problematic in developing countries like Indonesia due to high incidence and mortality rates, necessitating a comprehensive control strategy. Employing qualitative methods, this research delves into the practices, perceptions, and social dynamics affecting TB control efforts in Mojokerto, illuminated by the latest data showing a significant increase in pediatric TB cases and the public health situation. Findings reveal a TB incidence rate of 385 per 100,000 inhabitants, a case detection rate of 75%, and a notably high pediatric TB case proportion of 32%. The effectiveness of case tracking by health centers varies, with an average of only 54% receiving Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT). Major obstacles include limited access to radiology services, social stigma, and the need for adequate health facilities. Innovations such as the "Mbak Desi Fights TB" program and enhanced cross-sector cooperation are deemed crucial to strengthen control strategies. The study concludes that a multifaceted strategy is essential for combating TB in Mojokerto, which should include enhanced case detection, health system strengthening, and community integration in control efforts. Increased collaboration across sectors and advancements in research and development are expected to accelerate TB elimination. This research offers efficient recommendations to improve TB control strategies, based on an in-depth analysis of the current conditions and social dynamics in Mojokerto.

Efficacy of cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) in comparison with line probe assay and liquid culture in the evaluation of tubercular lymph node abscess.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the number one cause of adult deaths by a curable infectious disease. Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli (MTB) is the most common causative organism isolated from mycobacterial lymphadenitis. Accurate and speedy diagnosis is required, especially in paucibacillary extrapulmonary TB. In this study, we compared the efficacy of CBNAAT with line probe assay and liquid culture in the evaluation of tubercular lymph node abscesses. This is a hospital-based observational cross-sectional study conducted at Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Secunderabad, TS, in patients who presented with lymph node abscesses over a period of 18 months after obtaining clearance from the ethics committee and obtaining informed consent. Each sample was evaluated and analyzed in association with the clinical findings, AFB staining, CBNAAT, LPA, and AFB culture, and the results were compared. Fifty patients with TB lymph node abscess diagnosed through FNAC were included in the present study. AFB smear was positive in 29 samples, CBNAAT was positive in 43 samples, LPA was positive in 44 samples, and liquid culture was positive in 39 samples. CBNAAT could detect TB in 16 smear-negative cases, 10 liquid culture-negative cases, and one LPA-negative case. In our study, CBNAAT was more effective in diagnosing TB lymph node abscess than AFB smear. No significant results were obtained when comparing CBNAAT with LPA and liquid culture. This study demonstrates excellent diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert MTB/RIF test in patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis, with a sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 83.33%, negative predictive value of 95.56%, and positive predictive value of 58.82%. Thus, it can be a rule in testing for lymph node TB. These efforts will contribute to the attainment of the TB elimination goal.

Anti-tubercular therapy-induced maculopapular exanthema – A case series

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common, treatable and curable chronic infectious disease rampant in the developing countries. Anti-TB medications may be associated with several adverse effects including cutaneous reactions. Maculopapular exanthemas (MPE) are small cutaneous reddish macules and papules. Here we present 3 tuberculosis cases, treated with antitubercular therapy (ATT) enrolled in the outpatient department of Dermatology. Chief complaints were generalized rashes with itching and redness over the body. ATT was instantly stopped. Antihistamine, corticosteroid and topical emollients were administered to all the three patients. After 3 weeks, these patients recovered (dechallenge positive). For confirmation of ATT induced maculopapular rashes and to pin down the culprit drug, sequential rechallenge with individual ATT components was performed. Similar cutaneous eruptions were observed over the body with pyrazinamide in one case and with rifampicin in the other two cases (rechallenge positive). Symptoms of rechallenge resolved with antihistamine, steroids in 10 days. To restart ATT safely, re-challenge remains the best option and continue with alternative efficient anti-TB drugs as TB requires extensive therapy. Close, vigilant monitoring of ATT patients especially those on rifampicin and pyrazinamide must be done as these may precipitate MPE. Strict pharmacovigilance measures helps in early detection, timely management and prevent ATT induced ADRs. This is pivotal to promote safer drug utilization and help to achieve better prognostic outcomes.

IJCM_310A: Active Case Finding for Tuberculosis in outreach centres of a medical college in Puducherry, India: A Mixed Methods Study on Outcomes and Implementation Challenges

Background: Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death from a curable infectious disease and is responsible for 9.9 million new cases and 1.3 million deaths. Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. The WHO TB statistics for India for 2021 give an estimated incidence figure of 2,590,000 million cases. In Puducherry, 4500 cases were notified in the same year, with a TB notification rate of 226 per lakh population. ACF has potential benefits but also challenges, which need to be carefully assessed when developing and implementing ACF policies. Objectives: 1) To understand the experiences of healthcare workers during the implementation of Active Case Finding (ACF) activities 2) To assess the implementation of ACF using the feasibility indicators. Methodology: Qualitative interviews (IDI & FGD) were conducted among healthcare workers (Nodal Officers, Medical Officers, and Medical Interns) involved in the ACF to enumerate their experiences during the survey and the implementation challenges they faced. Additionally, a set of feasibility indicators from the literature (Hemant et al.2023) was identified to assess the implementation of ACF in outreach centres of a medical college in Puducherry. Results: Three overarching themes emerged through qualitative interviews: awareness of ACF and TB, implementation challenges, and mechanisms to overcome the challenges. Feasibility indicators will be elicited upon completion of data curation and analysis. Conclusion: The intricate details involved in the implementation of ACF would be understood through the experiences of Health Care Workers as well as quantitative estimation of ACF implementation.

Correlation of Serological Markers with Haematological Parameters in Diagnosis of Dengue: A Single Centre Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Pakistan

Objective: To correlate the serological markers with hematological parameters in the diagnosis of dengue fever. Background: Dengue is a viral disease spread by Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. It is most common in Southeast Asia. In recent times yearly epidemics of dengue fever has put a great burden on our health care system. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified symptomatic dengue as dengue fever with or without warning signs and severe dengue. Early diagnosis of the disease and management can save countless lives in this curable infectious disease. Methodology: It is a prospective observational study from HBS General Hospital, Islamabad. 102 patients who presented with fever and tested positive for NS1 antigen and/or IgM dengue antibodies and fulfilled the inclusion criteria over a period of one year were included. The demographic data along with serological and hematological results were recorded. Conclusion: The most common serological test in dengue infection is NS- 1. Thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, monocytosis and reversed neutrophil lymphocyte ratio are important hematological clues in diagnosis of dengue fever. Thrombocytopenia is most severe in NS- 1 postive group as compared to antibody positive groups.

Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: An Ongoing Challenge in Screening and Treatment.

With the advent of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) in the recent few years, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has become a curable infectious disease. Successful clearance of HCV could lead to improvement of both hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes, such as complications of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, cardiovascular diseases, and incident diabetes. However, challenges persist in reaching the HCV elimination goals of the World Health Organization by 2030. Among these challenges are identifying those already infected or undiagnosed subjects, re-linking to the care of known but untreated HCV-infected subjects, and developing strategies to enhance treatment rates and compliance in specific or high-risk populations. In addition, issues of post-DAA viral clearance, including avoiding or preventing reinfection in high-risk populations and surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma, are important to consolidate the treatment's short- and long-term efficacies. In the current DAA era, treatment is the most effective prevention strategy not only in its excellent efficacy and safety but also in preventing HCV spread. All of the surveillance or measures should center on DAA treatment in clinical practice.

Syphilis.

Syphilis is a curable systemic infectious disease with a clear increase in incidence in recent years. The disease presents with a broad clinical spectrum and challenges clinicians due to the long incubation period and the sometimes complex interpretation of serological test results. Penicillin G remains the treatment of choice in all stages of syphilis.

Infectious diseases and health outcomes’ implications of natural resource curse in Africa

The far-reaching implications of natural resource curse on most resource-rich developing economies arguably suggests no aspect of the broader economy is spared. In light of this stark reality, this inquiry probes into causal linkages between infectious diseases, its associated health outcomes and natural resource rents on 42 African economies for which there are no missing data, over the period 2000–2019. Employing an endogenous–resistant estimator of the system generalized method of moments, the following findings are unambiguously documented. First, natural resource curse thesis is validated for curable infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis but refuted for an incurable HIV prevalence. Second, the established resource curse equally affects health outcomes by shortening life expectancy, raising under-five mortality rate, increasing both birth and death rates, respectively. Third, the curse and the blessing that are often associated for owing abundant natural resources spread across other confounding variables such as per capita GDP, urbanization, control of corruption, polity, temperature, latitude, government spending on health, prevalence of HIV for females, secondary school enrolment rate, telephone per 100 subscriptions, foreign direct investment, per capita carbon emissions, trade openness, and globalization depending on which of the diseases and health outcomes’ models is estimated. Lastly, the established resource curse narrative is robust to using alternative measures of natural resource curse. In line with above findings, policy implications are drawn.

Klinická prezentácia tuberkulózy na intenzívnej jednotke

Tuberculosis is a curable communicable infectious disease in majority caused by bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis patients requiring acute intensive care make up about 1-3% of all tuberculosis patients. Targeted therapy is often delayed due to the atypical progression of the tuberculosis disease and its forms. Patients with respiratory failure due to advanced destruction of the lung parenchyma in pulmonary tuberculosis are among the most common reasons for admission to the intensive care unit. Massive hemoptysis as a symptom of advanced chronic tuberculosis is a severe condition with a risk of suffocating the patient. Neurological symptoms in miliary tuberculosis are a common sign of advanced disease, leading the patient to the intensive care department. Tuberculosis patients, regardless of age, often present with serious hypoalbuminemia, which is a significant predictor of mortality and morbidity.

Paving the way to a new class of efficient and safe tuberculosis vaccines: The role of c-di-AMP in Mycobacterium tuberculosis immunity and virulence

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a challenge and threat to public health despite being a curable and preventable infectious disease. TB is caused by a potentially serious respiratory acid-fast bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). As one of the top ten causes of death globally, the World Health Organization recently reported that more than 1.5 million people died from TB and approximately 10 million humans developed TB in 2020.1 Until the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, TB was the leading cause of death from an infectious agent, ranking even before HIV.

Exploring COVID-19 patients\u2019 experiences of psychological distress during the disease course: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging disease with many unknown clinical and therapeutic dimensions. Patients with COVID-19 experience a variety of psychological problems during the disease. Understanding patients’ mental condition and their distress during the disease is the first step to help these patients. So, the aim of this study was to explain COVID-19 patients’ experiences of psychological distress during the disease course.MethodsThe present qualitative research was conducted in Iran from April 2020 to April 2021 using the conventional content analysis method. The participants included patients with COVID-19, selected by the purposeful sampling method. Data was collected through 34 telephone and in-person interviews and analyzed based on the method proposed by Lundman and Graneheim.ResultsQualitative data analysis led to the emergence of sources of psychological distress as the main theme as well as seven categories and seven sub-categories. The categories were the disease’s nature (the subcategories of disease’s unknown dimensions, and disease severity), the anxiety caused by preventive behaviors (the subcategories of quarantine, worry about transmitting the infection to others and obsessive thoughts related to disinfection measures), the inefficient management by the health system (the subcategories of poor health care condition and lack of spiritual care), death anxiety, stigma, anxiety after recovery, and sleep pattern disturbance.ConclusionPatients with COVID-19 experience great psychological distress during the acute phase of the disease or even long after recovery. It is suggested that psychological and spiritual counseling, as a key element of treatment and support for these patients, is provided to patients in the acute phase of the disease, as well as after recovery. National and local media should boost awareness about the disease as a dangerous yet preventable and curable infectious disease. People should follow health instructions and leave their seeing the disease as a taboo.Trial registration numberNot applicable.

The role of personality, social economic and prevention strategy effects on health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS

BackgroundHIV/AIDS has transformed into a chronic controllable but not yet curable infectious disease as other chronic diseases to some extent. The additional of so called fourth 90% that included the improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) required solutions beyond antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression. This study will explore the role of personality, social economic and prevention strategy effection on HRQoL among people living with HIV/AIDS.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among PLWHIV aged more than 16 years old in the 10 municipalities in Yunnan Province, China from October 2019 to May 2020, enrolling total 1997 participants. Individual-level HRQoL data were measured by 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and EuroQol Five Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). We assembled municipal-level data about social economic from Yunnan Statistical Yearbook in 2020 and strategy practice information from the self-evaluation system. We used the principal component analysis to build the social economic and strategy effect on each area respectively and one-way ANOVA was used to perform univariate analysis to identify the predictors with significant differences. Finally we used multi-level model (MLM) to explore the personality, social economic and strategy effects in health-related quality of life among PLWHIV.ResultsThe global score for quality of life measured using EQ-5D-5L had an estimated mean score (standard deviation, SD) of 0.901 ± 0.146. The HRQoL score measured using PCS-12 had an estimated mean score (SD) of 46.62 ± 8.55. The mean MCS-12 score (SD) was estimated to be 47.80 ± 9.71. The area-level predictors explained a proportion of 13.6–17.2% for the between-area variation of the HRQoL scores, regardless of the total HRQoL, physical component and mental component. The impacts of stigma (P < 0.01), social support (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.05) and social economic status (P < 0.05) on HRQoL at the individual-level were significantly different. The plots visualized the impact of individual-level factors on a respondent’s HRQoL was modified by the area-level characteristics.ConclusionsThe study identified the possible strategy determinant of individual HRQoL of PLWHIV and also the area effect on HRQoL. Stigma, social support, anxiety, depression and social economic status were the individual-level determinants on HRQoL. These could be a valuable resource for evaluating the overall health of the areas and help improve local decision making.Graphic abstract

A cohort study revealed high mortality among people who inject drugs in Hai Phong, Vietnam

ObjectiveTo estimate the residual mortality rate among people who inject drugs (PWID) in a Low-Middle Income Countries context where the HIV epidemic has been controlled and methadone coverage is high. Study design and settingPWID from Haiphong, Vietnam, were recruited through three annual respondent-driven sampling surveys that fueled two cohorts of PWID with HIV (n = 761) and without HIV (n = 897), with bi-annual follow-up. Presumed causes of death were ascertained from medical records and/or interviews of participants family. ResultsAmong the 1658 participants with a median follow-up of 2 years, 67 and 36 died in the HIV-positive and HIV-negative cohort, respectively, yielding crude mortality rates of 4.3 (95% Confidence interval (CI): 3.3-5.4) per 100 person-years of follow-up (PYFU) and 1.9 (CI: 1.4-2.6) per 100 PYFU. In the HIV-positive cohort, in which 81% of participants had undetectable viral load, the two main causes of death were tuberculosis and HIV-related diseases. In the HIV-negative cohort, the two main causes of death were liver-related diseases and overdose. In a time-dependent multivariable model, “unsuppressed viral load” was associated with increased risk of mortality, whereas “being on methadone” or “being employed” was associated with a lower risk. ConclusionDespite a very successful HIV and methadone program, the mortality remains high among PWID in Vietnam, largely due to curable infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and viral hepatitis.

A retrospective study on clinicopathological correlation of cutaneous tuberculosis

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Cutaneous tuberculosis is a curable chronic infectious disease. The clinical presentation and histopathological interpretation of skin biopsy may show variations as various types of the disease exist. The clinical diagnosis should be confirmed by histopathological features before starting treatment for particular type of the disease.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; A retrospective hospital based study was conducted among patients in Chengalpattu medical college for last 3 years (May 2015 – April 2018) who had cutaneous tuberculosis. Skin biopsy taken from active lesion was stained with routine haematoxylin and eosin (H &amp;amp; E) stain.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Out of 20 cases, male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The age of the patients ranged from 11-68 years. Clinically, lupus vulgaris was the most common type of cutaneous tuberculosis with 35% cases followed by tuberculosis verrucosa cutis 20% cases, scrofuloderma 15% and atypical mycobacterial infections 10%, and least common types are lichen scrofulosorum 5% which correlates with the previous study of Aruna et al. Characteristic tuberculoid granulomas were seen in 71.4% cases of lupus vulgaris, all cases of scrofuloderma, lichen scrofulosorum and 80% of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis. The clinical and histopathological correlation was seen in 17 cases (85%).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; There can be overlap between different types of cutaneous tuberculosis with various other dermatological diseases, both clinically and morphologically and so correlation of clinical and histopathological features appears to be more useful for accurate diagnosis and typing of cutaneous tuberculosis. High clinical suspicion is necessary in cutaneous tuberculosis and early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent its complications.&lt;/p&gt;

CURRENT STRATEGIES IN THE TREATMENT OF MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS

Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze and review the current knowledge about the principles of treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), World Health Organization treatment regimen to treat MDR-TB, mechanism of resistance, and risk factors for emergence of resistance, and novel antitubercular drugs (ATDs) available and control measures to improve treatment outcomes of MDR-TB.Methods: Various articles were reviewed from PubMed and other databases and were analyzed to write the review.Results: Mycobacterium is a largely curable infectious disease if proper treatment should be followed. The success of the treatment depends on the designing of proper treatment regimen and patient adherence to that medication.Conclusion: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is now the most lethal infectious pathogen. Drug resistance has become a major problem in the treatment of TB. In MDR-TB, the bacteria is resistant to at least isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), and in extensively drug-resistant TB the bacteria is resistant to INH, RIF, any fluoroquinolone, and at least one of three injectable second-line drugs for TB such as kanamycin, capreomycin, and amikacin. More recently, a more worrying situation has emerged with the description of M. tuberculosis strains that have been found resistant to all antibiotics that were available for testing, a situation labeled as totally drug resistant-TB. Other reasons like poor planning by the authorities and the government may also result in the emergence of resistant strain. Rather than the effective chemotherapy and the moderately protective vaccine, new anti-TB agents, and novel controlled release nanoparticulate system like polymeric nanocarrier systems containing existing ATDs are urgently needed to decrease the global incidence of TB.

Analysis of tuberculosis surveillance data, Sunyani West District, Brong Ahafo

Introduction : more people die from tuberculosis (TB) than from any other curable infectious disease in the world. Though there have been many new interventions and investment in controlling and eradicating TB in the world particularly in Africa, TB still remains a major public health threat. In 2015, Brong Ahafo recorded a TB detection rate of 84% meaning 16% of cases went undetected. Sunyani West District recorded 37 new TB cases with 7 (19%) deaths. Each year, surveillance data on TB is recorded in the districts. In Sunyani West District however, this data is not evaluated or used in improving the system. The aim of the study was to analyse a five-year tuberculosis surveillance data in the District. Methods : we conducted secondary analysis on TB surveillance data in the Sunyani West District from 2011-2015. Data was obtained from TB registers and District health information management system (DHIMS 2) of the Sunyani West District. Variables abstracted were age group, sex, sub-district and treatment outcome and presented in tables and graphs. Results : a total of 140 patients were diagnosed with TB in Sunyani West District between 2011 and 2015, with the mean (SD) age of 41.7(18.06) years. Males were most affected (72.9%) with year 2014 recording the highest proportion (50.33%). Chiraa sub-district recorded the highest proportion (28.6%) and 45% of the total patients with TB completed treatment. Conclusion : TB infection increased in 2014 with a death rate of 7.5 per 100,000 therefore health education on prevention and benefits early treatment should be intensified in the communities especially among males and in the sub-district.

Peptic Ulcer Disease: Maintenance treatment with H2 blockers

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a prevalent disease, it affecting around 5-10% of the general population worldwide, but with notable regional and racial variations. The two most common etiological causes are the chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Its diagnosis is based mainly in the endoscopy and the active search of concomitant Hp presence. The discovery of the link between H. pylori and peptic ulcer has changed dramatically its management, because it has become a curable infectious disease. The eradication therapy of is the best choice to achieve the final cure of PUD in infected patients. Several current international recommend a standard triple therapy as first-line therapy, including a proton pump inhibitor and a combination of amoxicillin and clarithromycin. This combination therapy has shown a decreased efficacy over the years. The main reason is increasing antibiotic resistance, particularly to clarithromycin and metronidazol, of certain Hp strains. Several new treatment options or modifications of already established regimens have been introduced in last years, to overcome these treatment failures. For the subgroup of patients with H. pylorinegative ulcers, avoiding NSAIDs intake also has a clear influence in evolution of the disease and in some cases drives to the complete healing of the peptic ulcer. In refractory or recurrent cases, continuous therapy with anti-secretory agents and/or the replacement of conventional NSAIDs by selective drugs for inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are useful treatment options.

Burden of Leprosy

Abstract Hansen disease, also known as leprosy, is a curable infectious disease that continues to cause great disability and stigma globally, including in the United States. Nurse practitioners may believe that Hansen disease is a rare and ancient disease localized to underdeveloped countries, but it still exists in the US and should be included in the differential diagnosis. Hansen disease, although curable, can lead to deformity and disability if not diagnosed early. This article aims to raise awareness of Hansen disease by providing an introductory understanding of the disease process, diagnosis, and treatment.

Mechanism Investigation of Rifampicin-Induced Liver Injury Using Comparative Toxicoproteomics in Mice.

Tuberculosis is one of the top causes of death among curable infectious diseases; it is an airborne infectious disease that killed 1.1 million people worldwide in 2010. Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury is the primary cause of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Rifampicin is one of the most common anti-tuberculosis therapies and has well-known hepatotoxicity. To understand the mechanism of rifampicin-induced liver injury, we performed a global proteomic analysis of liver proteins by LC-MS/MS in a mouse model after the oral administration of 177 and 442.5 mg/kg rifampicin (LD10 and LD25) for 14 days. Based on the biochemical parameters in the plasma after rifampicin treatment, the hepatotoxic effect of rifampicin in the mouse liver was defined as a mixed liver injury. In the present study, we identified 1101 proteins and quantified 1038 proteins. A total of 29 and 40 proteins were up-regulated and 27 and 118 proteins were down-regulated in response to 177 and 442.5 mg/kg rifampicin, respectively. Furthermore, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses to characterize the mechanism of rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity. In the molecular function category, glutathione transferase activity was up-regulated and proteins related to arachidonic acid metabolism were down-regulated. In the KEGG pathway enrichment-based clustering analysis, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway, cytochrome P450, glutathione metabolism, chemical carcinogenesis, and related proteins increased dose-dependently in rifampicin-treated livers. Taken together, this study showed in-depth molecular mechanism of rifampicin-induced liver injury by comparative toxicoproteomics approach.

Knowledge and Practice of TB Patients on TB and its Treatment in Alamata District Tigray Region Northeast Ethiopia

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) leftovers the leading cause of death among a curable infectious disease, regardless of the availability of short-course therapy that can be both inexpensive and effective. The aim of the present study was to assess the level of knowledge about TB in clients who were initiating anti-TB drug treatment in Alamata District, northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in TB patients who were initiating anti-TB drug treatment in the district. Study participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to evaluate level of knowledge about TB. Data was entered and cleared using SPSS version 16. Results: A total of 200 study participants were interviewed, of whom 116 (58.0%) were male TB patients and 84 (42.0%) female TB patients. Among the study participants, 77.5% were new cases. 50% of them were extra pulmonary TB (EPTB) case, 23.5% were smear-positive pulmonary TB (SPPTB) cases and 26.5% were smearnegative PTB (SNPTB) cases and. The overall knowledge about TB of the study participants was 36.5%. Conclusions: There is significant knowledge breach in the study area among TB patients registered on treatment. Consolidation the awareness of TB patients using health education by health care providers on TB throughout the time of enrollment to treatment possibly will increase patients’ knowledge thus upgrading in treatment outcomes and overall TB control.