Treatment Of New Cases Research Articles

Female Urethral Stenosis After Papiloma Acuminata Infection – Case Report

Simply Stated In the present article, we describe a rare case of urethral involvement by condyloma acuminata (HPV), in which we describe the signs and symptoms presented by the patient, how the diagnosis is made and the treatment options that offer the best results. That way it can be useful for other people who suffer from the same problem and don't know where to turn. Why this matters? In this present article, we describe a rare case of urethral condyloma acuminata, evolving with stenosis and urinary retention with the use of a suprapubic catheter. An extremely complex and challenging case that is described in detail by a group of authors who have extensive experience in the subject. When talking about diagnosis, tips and tricks are revealed, as well as surgical treatment to obtain the highest success rate. A report like these is very useful for scientific society and serves as a reference for the treatment of new cases, which can change the final outcome in the lives of many other patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

This manuscript presents a systematic review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. A meta-analysis was made to compare the number of treated/operated HNC patients in pre-COVID-19 era (PCE) versus COVID-19 era (CE). This investigation is based on previous reports showing a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of new cases of cancer during the pandemic. Worsening in cancer prognosis would be expected as a result of the delayed treatments. An electronic search was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and The Cochrane Library databases. Relevant articles were selected based on specific inclusion criteria. A total of 8942 HNC patients were included. A higher prevalence in male (1873) in comparison to female (1695) was observed considering 3568 patients. Regarding staging, the majority of cases were stage III-IV. The treatment type more frequently described was surgery. Positive diagnosis for COVID-19 in the pre oncologic treatment was reported for 242 patients, and for post oncologic treatment in 119 patients. Mortality by COVID-19 was reported for 27 HNC patients. The meta-analysis revealed a significantly smaller number of surgeries/oncologic treatments of HNC patients performed (2666) in the CE when compared to PCE (3163) (M-H OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1, P = 0.05). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HNC patients occurred mainly in the number of surgeries/oncologic treatments, showing a significantly smaller number of surgeries/oncologic treatments performed in the CE rather than the PCE.

Comparative Evaluation of RLEP-PCR and Conventional Laboratory Methods for Confirmation of Clinically Diagnosed Early-stage Leprosy in Eastern India

Introduction: Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). Diagnosis of leprosy is confirmed based on cardinal signs and symptoms along with supportive laboratory investigations. Early diagnosis and treatment of new cases are essential to prevent disease burden and spread in community. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of currently available laboratory tests like M.leprae-specific repetitive element Polymerase Chain Reaction (RLEP-PCR) and conventional methods like, Slit Skin Smears (SSS), Histopathology (HP) and Fite-Faraco (FF) staining for detection of M. leprae in clinically diagnosed cases of early- stage leprosy. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 82 newly diagnosed cases of leprosy was carried out in S.C.B Medical College, a tertiary care hospital of Odisha, India from September 2018 to August 2020. For every case, skin tissue was punched out to get biopsy for HP and FF staining and incised for SSS. At least two SSS slides were prepared per case. One SSS slide was stained by modified Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining to demonstrate Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB). The other SSS slide was air dried and the dried material was scraped off to perform PCR. Data were analysed by Statistics software IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24.0. Association between categorical variables was studied by using Chi-square test. Comparison of mean±SD and median (IQR) were done by using independent sample‘t’ test. Agreement on different types of laboratory methods was done by using Kappa test. Results: Among 82 cases, 68.3% were RLEP-PCR positive, 56% had relevant chronic granulomatous features histopathologically, 39% were FF stain positive, and only 29% were ZN stain positive. Improvement in case detection of 39%, 29.3%, and 12.2% by PCR over SSS, FF Stain and HP respectively proved superiority of PCR over other procedures. Conclusion: PCR was most sensitive to detect leprosy both in pauci and multibacillary groups, thus considered as investigation of choice for diagnosis of early-stage leprosy.

Utility of prenatal screening for Congenital Chagas Disease in Chile

Chagas Disease is a pathology caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is considered a public health issue, especially its congenital transmission, not only in endemic countries but also in non endemic ones, being the main form of transmission in Chile. Objectives: To describe a congenital Chagas Disease case and to report about the usefulness of prenatal screening for Chagas Disease. Cli nical Case: A 29-week preterm newborn of a multiparous mother with Chagas Disease detected in the perinatal screening of current pregnancy. Due to history of Trypanosoma cruzi, PCR was performed on the 4th day of life resulting undetectable. At the 6th and the 8th week of life, a macular erythema tous rash and fever and respiratory distress were observed, respectively, both self-limited. At the 8th week of life, as a routine prematurity follow-up, a fundus examination was performed which showed bilateral retinal granulation, therefore, a TORCH study was performed with a negative result. Also, in this same week, a second Trypanosoma cruzi PCR was performed, with a positive result. Lab tests reported visualization of trypomastigotes, confirming the Congenital Chagas Disease diagnosis. The patient was treated with Nifurtimox, presenting an adverse reaction at 35 days of treatment with neu tropenia, vomiting, and poor weight gain. The treating drug was replaced by Benznidazole, achieving 60 days of treatment. At 22 months of chronologic age, the patient has remained asymptomatic. Con clusions: It is necessary to increase efforts in prevention, early detection, and study of direct relatives. This report is an example of the usefulness of Chagas disease prenatal screening for the detection and early treatment of new cases.

Discharge may not be the end of treatment: Pay attention to pulmonary fibrosis caused by severe COVID-19.

Since December 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has rapidly swept the world. So far, more than 30 million people have been infected and nearly one million have died. Although the world is still in the stage of COVID-19 pandemic, the treatment of new cases and critically ill patients is the focus of the current work. However, COVID-19 patients lead to pulmonary fibrosis, such a serious threat to the prognosis of complications were also worthy of our attention. First of all, we proposed the possible mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis caused by SARS-CoV-2, based on the published data of COVID-19 ((i) Direct evidence: pulmonary fibrosis was found in autopsy and pulmonary puncture pathology.(ii) Indirect evidence: increased levels of fibrosis-related cytokines[transforming growth factor [TGF]- β, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]- α, interleukin [IL]-6, etc] in peripheral blood of severe patients.) What is more, we summarized the role of three fibrosis-related signaling pathways (TGF- β signal pathway, WNT signal pathway and YAP/TAZ signal pathway) in pulmonary fibrosis. Finally, we suggested the therapeutic value of two drugs (pirfenidone and nintedanib) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria in low-income and middle-income countries: a modelling study

SummaryBackgroundCOVID-19 has the potential to cause substantial disruptions to health services, due to cases overburdening the health system or response measures limiting usual programmatic activities. We aimed to quantify the extent to which disruptions to services for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria in low-income and middle-income countries with high burdens of these diseases could lead to additional loss of life over the next 5 years.MethodsAssuming a basic reproduction number of 3·0, we constructed four scenarios for possible responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: no action, mitigation for 6 months, suppression for 2 months, or suppression for 1 year. We used established transmission models of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria to estimate the additional impact on health that could be caused in selected settings, either due to COVID-19 interventions limiting activities, or due to the high demand on the health system due to the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsIn high-burden settings, deaths due to HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria over 5 years could increase by up to 10%, 20%, and 36%, respectively, compared with if there was no COVID-19 pandemic. The greatest impact on HIV was estimated to be from interruption to antiretroviral therapy, which could occur during a period of high health system demand. For tuberculosis, the greatest impact would be from reductions in timely diagnosis and treatment of new cases, which could result from any prolonged period of COVID-19 suppression interventions. The greatest impact on malaria burden could be as a result of interruption of planned net campaigns. These disruptions could lead to a loss of life-years over 5 years that is of the same order of magnitude as the direct impact from COVID-19 in places with a high burden of malaria and large HIV and tuberculosis epidemics.InterpretationMaintaining the most critical prevention activities and health-care services for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria could substantially reduce the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.FundingBill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, UK Department for International Development, and Medical Research Council.

Modeling post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis as an infection reservoir for visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a potentially fatal disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. This disease is a health problem for the very poor because it results in thousands of deaths and illnesses every year. Some countries, such as India and Bangladesh, have started programs to reduce the occurrences of VL by focusing on early diagnosis and complete treatment of VL. Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a cutaneous manifestation of Leishmaniasis that can occur following the incomplete treatment of VL. Diagnosis and treatment of PKDL are limited in affected regions, and PKDL has been identified as a possible reservoir for infection. This study develops a mathematical model of the relationship between the level of PKDL treatment and the incidences of VL during a given period. The results indicate a nearly linear relationship between PKDL treatment rates and the percent reduction of VL incidences. With the current treatments available and considering achievable levels of treatment, the model predicts that up to 20% of VL cases could be prevented by treating new PKDL cases. Hypothetical combined treatment initiatives including bed nets and insecticide spraying are also considered. Results suggest that the population of individuals with PKDL is certainly a significant factor in the transmission of L. donovani infection, with treatment of new cases particularly important.

FATORES ASSOCIADOS A ÓBITO E ABANDONO DE TRATAMENTO DOS CASOS NOVOS DE TUBERCULOSE EM SERGIPE, BRASIL

O presente estudo objetiva identificar os fatores associados ao óbito e ao abandono de tratamento dos casos novos de tuberculose em Sergipe. Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal, tipo coorte histórica, a partir dos casos novos de tuberculose diagnosticados entre 2007 e 2016. Foram consideradas todas as formas de tuberculose identificadas em Sergipe, notificadas no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação com desfecho definido (cura, óbito e abandono) até um ano após o diagnóstico. Foram registrados 5.989 casos novos de tuberculose, dos quais 95,4% foram incluídos no estudo, pois tinham seu encerramento como cura, óbito ou abandono. Desses, 79,3% obtiveram encerramento por cura, 12,6% por abandono e 8,1% por óbito. O abandono foi maior em homens (14,3%), nas faixas etárias de 20 a 39 anos (17,6%) e com o ensino fundamental incompleto (14,9%). A letalidade também foi maior em homens (9,2%). O Tratamento Diretamente Observado foi realizado em 52% dos casos, apresentando menores taxas de abandono (9,0%) e de óbito (6,0%). A coinfecção HIV/TB foi identificada em 4,9% dos casos, dos quais 22,7% abandonaram e 31,7% foram a óbito. Foram identificadas altas taxas de abandono e óbitos entre os casos novos de tuberculose, tendo algumas variáveis clínicas e sociodemográficas associadas aos diferentes desfechos. Compreender melhor os fatores que podem influenciar os diferentes desfechos é uma importante ferramenta, tanto no âmbito da clínica individual como nas ações de educação em saúde e planejamento de intervenções que busquem a melhoria da qualidade do acompanhamento das pessoas com tuberculose.

Iranian guideline for rituximab therapy in pemphigus patients.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and/or mucosa. Rituximab (RTX) has been approved recently by US FDA as an effective and safe treatment of PV. The high incidence of PV in Iran encouraged our team to prepare a consensus guideline for RTX administration based on literature review and a decade experience of an expert panel. RTX is recommended for the treatment of new cases of PV as well as patients not responding to conventional therapy. Contraindications include history of anaphylaxis or IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to murine proteins of RTX, severe active infections, pregnancy, breastfeeding, severe heart failure, and arrhythmia. Prophylactic antiviral therapy is recommended in patients at risk of reactivation of HBV and isoniazid for those at risk of reactivation of tuberculosis. Concomitant use of systemic corticosteroids is recommended as a rule. Except for methotrexate, the combination with other immunosuppressive drugs is discouraged. Intravenous immunoglobulin is recommended for those at risk of infections or with extensive disease. The recommended dosage of RTX for the first cycle is 2 g either 500 mg weekly or 1 g biweekly. There is no general consensus whether the next doses of RTX be administered upon relapse or as maintenance therapy. We strongly recommend RTX sooner in the course of pemphigus.

Leprosy in French Polynesia.

Leprosy is a neglected endemic infectious disease in the Pacific region. In French Polynesia (FP), leprosy is no longer a public health problem at the national level, defined by the World Health Organization as a prevalence rate below 1 case per 10,000 population. However, even if its incidence has dramatically declined in FP in the last decades, leprosy is still endemic at a low level. Here we present a case of leprosy in a 34-year-old man from FP diagnosed in 2018. Clinical and microbiologic examinations, including fluorescence in-situ hybridization, led to the diagnosis of a multibacillary leprosy, and multidrug therapy was initiated. There is a need to maintain leprosy surveillance and trained medical staff for the detection and treatment of new cases.

Cutaneous tuberculosis: A great imitator

Tuberculosis (TB) is still prevalent in many developing countries and can pose a new potential threat to global health due to international migration. As an uncommon form of extrapulmonary TB, cutaneous TB is complicated in its clinical manifestation, pathogenesis, and classification. Cutaneous TB can be divided into two major categories, true cutaneous TB and tuberculid, depending on the source of infection, the route of transmission, the amount of bacteria, and the immune state of the host. Clinical manifestations may include patches and plaques (lupus vulgaris, TB verrucosa cutis), macules and papules (acute miliary TB, papulonecrotid tuberculid, lichen scrofulosorum), nodules, and abscesses (erythema induratum of Bazin, tuberculous gumma), erosions, and ulcers (tuberculous chancre, orificial TB, scrofuloderma), mimicking diverse skin diseases. Uncommon localizations such as external genitalia, unusual presentations such as nodular granulomatous phlebitis, and coexistence with other morbidities such as Behçet disease and acne inversa or hidradenitis suppurativa deserve special attention. Treatment of both true and tuberculid cutaneous TB follows the same drug regimens of the World Health Organization’s recommendation for treatment of new cases of pulmonary TB. Erythema induratum of Bazin may need longer treatment duration and adjuvants such as dapsone, potassium iodide, doxycycline, and corticosteroids to tackle inflammation. Misdiagnosis and undertreatment in daily practice are likely, and contemplation of this classic great imitator in dermatology is warranted.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF DIRECTLY OBSERVED THERAPY FOR TUBERCULOSIS AND ITS EXPANSION IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Objective: Brazil is one of the countries with the largest number of cases of tuberculosis worldwide; Rio de Janeiro exhibits some of highest mortality and incidence rates in the country. The aim of the present study was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of directly observed therapy (DOT) and simulate its expansion for new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro.Methods: A decision tree was plotted that simulated the progression of the disease for six months. In the cost-effectiveness analysis, strategies of self-administered treatment (SAT) and DOT (directly observed therapy) with 100% coverage were compared; the current coverage, 48%, and coverage of 100% were considered with regard to expansion. The study was based on the epidemiological pattern of tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro among adults from both genders and without economic differences; the government perspective was adopted. The outcomes were varied to investigate the occurrence of parametric sensitivity.Results: Although the cost of treatment was increased by three times, DOT proved to be cost-effective for the treatment of new cases, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of BRL 30,454 per saved life. Expansion of DOT coverage would avert 180 deaths and 171 instances of treatment dropout, in addition to providing an additional 420 instances of cure, with an investment of approximately BRL 6,700,000.00.Conclusion: DOT might contribute to improving the current tuberculosis situation in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Its expansion would fit with the resources estimated by the Brazilian government needed to combat non-drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Incidence and costs of achalasia in The Netherlands.

Recent reports show increasing incidence of achalasia in some populations. The aim of this study was to estimate incidence, prevalence, and healthcare costs of achalasia in a large cohort in The Netherlands. Data were obtained from the largest Dutch healthcare insurance company (±4.4million insured). Adult achalasia patients were identified between 2006 and 2014 when having an achalasia diagnosis code registered. A total of 907 achalasia patients were identified and included in our database, along with 9068 control patients (non-achalasia patients), matched by age and gender. The mean incidence over the 9-year period was 2.2 per 100000 persons and the mean prevalence was 15.3 per 100000 persons. Mean age of achalasia patients was 54 (range 18-98)years. Male to female ratio was 1:1. Socio-economic status distribution was similar in achalasia patients and controls. Prior to the diagnosis, 74% of achalasia patients received proton pump inhibitors and 26% received anti-emetic medication. The first year after diagnosis median total direct medical costs of achalasia patients were €2283 (IQR 969-3044) per year. Patients above the 90th percentile of €4717 were significantly older than other patients below the 90th percentile (mean age 63 vs 57); P=.005. In this large study that used a database comprising about 25% of all inhabitants of The Netherlands, it is confirmed that achalasia affects individuals of both genders and all ages. The costs associated with diagnosis and treatment of new cases of achalasia increase with increasing age.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Household Contacts of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases in Central State, Sudan: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a major health problem in developing countries including Sudan. Screening for TB cases through Household contacts (HHCs) investigation is an appropriate strategy to interrupt transmission of TB. Objectives: To determine the prevalence tuberculosis infection and risk factors for tuberculosis infection among household contacts in Wadimadani locality, Central State, Sudan, between November 2015 and April 2016. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study conducted. During study period, to confirm TB diagnosis, all suspect contacts were tested through sputum samples, tuberculin skin test or chest X-ray. Structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and environmental factors. Results: One hundred forty six patients of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were included in the study, 657 household contacts were identified and screened. Forty three new TB cases were detected from household contacts, yielding a prevalence of 6.5% (95% confidence interval = 0.05, 0.09) of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Two factors were significantly associated with LTBI among HHCs: duration of contact with a TB patient ≤ 4 months (P = 0.03) and the educational status (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Screening of HHCs of index case of TB will contribute in early detection and treatment of new cases, and considered as a forward step towards eliminating TB.

Treatment of isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis with first-line drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The results of some reports have suggested that treatment of isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis with the recommended regimens of first-line drugs might be suboptimal. We updated a previous systematic review of treatment outcomes associated with use of first-line drugs in patients with tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid but not rifampicin. In this systematic review, we updated the results of a previous review to include randomised trials and cohort studies published in English, French, or Spanish to March 31, 2015, containing results of standardised treatment of patients with bacteriologically confirmed isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis (but not multidrug-resistant tuberculosis-ie, not resistant to rifampicin) in whom failure and relapse were bacteriologically confirmed. Results in patients with drug-sensitive tuberculosis included in the same studies were also analysed. We pooled treatment outcomes with random-effects meta-analysis. We identified 19 cohort studies and 33 trials with 3744 patients with isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis and 19 012 patients with drug-sensitive disease. The pooled rates of failure or relapse, or both, and acquired drug resistance with all drug regimens were 15% (95% CI 12-18) and 3·6% (2-5), respectively, in patients with isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis and 4% (3-5) and 0·6% (0·3-0·9) in those with drug-sensitive tuberculosis. Of patients with initial isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis with acquired drug resistance, 96% (93-99) had acquired multidrug-resistant disease. Treatment of isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis with the WHO standard regimen for new patients resulted in treatment failure, relapse, and acquired multidrug resistance in 11% (6-17), 10% (5-15) and 8% (3-13), respectively; treatment with the standard WHO regimen for previously treated patients resulted in treatment failure in 6% (2-10), relapse in 5% (2-8), and acquisition of multidrug resistance in 3% (0-6). For patients with drug-sensitive disease treated with the standard retreatment regimen the rates were 1% (0-2), 5% (4-7), and 0·3% (0-0·6). Treatment of isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis with first-line drugs resulted in suboptimal outcomes, supporting the need for better regimens. Standardised empirical treatment of new cases could be contributing substantially to the multidrug-resistant epidemic, particularly in settings where the prevalence of isoniazid resistance is high. Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Skull Base Paraganglioma: Diagnosis, Treatment of New Cases, and an Overview of the Literature

Objective: The purpose of this presentation is to report on new cases of paragangliomas treated in the University ENT and Neurosurgery Department in Utrecht. Moreover to compare the existing evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of surgery, radiotherapy or wait-and-scan policy.

Animal trypanosomosis in clinically healthy cattle of north Cameroon: epidemiological implications.

BackgroundThe control of animal trypanosomosis consists, amongst other things, of the punctual treatment of new cases, primarily diagnosed by pastoralists on the basis of clinical signs. This practice suggests that many apparently healthy infected animals are left untreated. In this study animal trypanosomosis in clinically healthy zebu cattle was evaluated, the distribution of the vectors established and the epidemiological implications discussed.MethodsIn 2014 two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in the Cambeef ranch. A total of 866 blood samples were collected from cattle in different sites: 549 in the dry season and 317 in the rainy season. The blood samples were subjected to parasitological examination using the buffy coat method and to PCV determination. An entomological survey on animal trypanosomosis vectors was undertaken during tsetse flies caught were identified and the mid-gut of each living non-teneral tsetse fly was examined for infections using a microscope.ResultsAn overall trypanosomosis prevalence of 9 % was found in the cattle examined. There were significantly (P < 0.05) more trypanosome infected cattle in the dry season than the rainy season. Trypanosome-infected cattle had significantly (P < 0.05) lower Body Condition Scores (BCS) and Packed Cell Volumes (PCV) in the dry season than in the rainy season. Anemia was positively correlated with trypanosome infection. The likelihood for an animal to be parasitologically free of trypanosome infection was at least three times as high in the Gudali breed as compared with the white and red Fulani breeds. Species of trypanosomes identified were Trypanosoma vivax (73.23 %), Trypanosoma congolense (15.49 %) and Trypanosoma brucei (11.27 %). A total of 390 tsetse flies and 103 tabanids were trapped. Two species of tsetse flies were identified: Glossina tachinoides (33.59 %) and G. morsitans submorsitans (41 %). Nine of the 194 non-teneral flies were infected with trypanosomes.ConclusionCarriers of trypanosomes are present amongst apparently healthy cattle in the study site. Attempts to successfully reduce the population of reservoir trypanosomes within herds and control the disease will need to consider mass screening once every year and this should be associated with drug sensitivity tests.

Faktor yang berhubungan dengan tidak terkonversinya BTA positif pada pengobatan kasus baru di Semarang

Factors related to non-conversion smear positive among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in the city of SemarangPurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify factors related to non-conversion of smear positive in treatment of new tuberculosis cases. MethodsThis study used a case control design and sampling by proportional random sampling technique. Samples were patients with smear grade positive pulmonary tuberculosis who were new cases of intensive phase of treatment and have repeated sputum examination. The numbers of samples in this research were 128 sample cases and 128 controls. ResultsThe factors associated with the conversion of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis treatment of new cases were age, sex, drug side effects, comorbidities and gradation smear results. The three variables that proved to jointly influence the incidence of smear positive conversion in the treatment of new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were sputum smear results gradation, comorbidities and gender. ConclusionIt is necessary to design an appropriate drug taking supervisor for patients with positive smear positive results with +2 and +3 gradations and patients with comorbidities (HIV, hepatitis, diabetes mellitus).

Comparing cost-effectiveness of standardised tuberculosis treatments given varying drug resistance

There is a growing need to identify appropriate standardised treatment strategies that will adequately treat various forms of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) and prevent multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB. A Markov model estimated treatment-related acquired MDR-TB, mortality, disability-adjusted life years and costs in settings with different prevalence of isoniazid monoresistant TB and MDR-TB. We compared four treatment strategies: 1) the standard World Health Organization recommended treatment strategy; 2) adding ethambutol throughout the 6-month treatment of new cases; 3) using a strengthened standardised retreatment regimen; and 4) using standardised MDR treatment for failures of initial treatment. Treatment-related outcomes were derived from the published literature, and costs from direct surveys. A strengthened retreatment regimen, which could achieve lower failure, relapse and acquired MDR rates in isoniazid monoresistant cases, was predicted to be the most cost-effective strategy in all modelled settings. Empirical MDR treatment of failures of initial treatment was the most costly strategy but resulted in the fewest deaths. Adding ethambutol throughout initial treatment would be most effective in preventing acquired MDR, but would lead to excess cases of blindness. A high priority should be given to improving the standardised retreatment regimen, as this is predicted to produce greater benefits than other recently recommended strategies.

Incidence of ethambutol-related visual impairment during treatment of active tuberculosis.

Recent World Health Organization guidelines recommend the addition of ethambutol (EMB) throughout standardised treatment of new cases of active tuberculosis (TB) in populations with increased prevalence of isoniazid resistance to reduce the risk of creating multidrug resistance. This could expose patients to the risk of blindness. We searched Cochrane, Embase and PubMed electronic databases from 1965 to February 2011 for original studies that prospectively followed all patients treated with EMB for active TB, and routinely ascertained the occurrence of visual toxicity using standard methods. Pooled estimates, overall and stratified by major covariates, were calculated using random effects meta-analysis. Pooled cumulative incidence of any visual impairment in all patients was 22.5 per 1000 persons treated with EMB (95%CI 10.2-35), and permanent impairment was 4.3/1000 (95%CI 0.3-9.0). After restricting the analyses to arms in which the average dose was 27.5 mg/kg/day or less and treatment was for 2-9 months, the incidence of any visual impairment was 19.2/1000 (95%CI 5.8-33), and permanent impairment was 2.3/1000 persons (95%CI 0-6.1) treated, as the majority of episodes were reversible. In reversible cases, resolution of impairment occurred after an average of 3 months. In this review, any visual impairment occurred in 22.5/1000 persons receiving EMB at standard doses for up to 9 months, and permanent impairment in 2.3/1000-an important risk. However, these estimates are imprecise, and the studies were of variable quality and the results heterogeneous. Well-designed prospective studies with repeated measurements of multiple visual parameters that clearly describe the degree of permanent impairment are needed.