Factors of Adherence to Concurrent Tuberculosis Treatment and Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV-TB Co-Infected Individuals in the East Region, Cameroon in the COVID-19 Era: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Context/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection is a serious health problem in Cameroon. The problems associated with poor adherence to treatment are on the increase worldwide. This problem can be observed in all situations where patients are required to administer their own medication, whatever the type of illness. The general objective of this study was to assess the factors affecting adherence to treatment among HIV-TB co-infected patients in health facilities in the East Region in the COVID context. Method: A retrospective cohort study before and during COVID-19 was conducted in HIV care units in 13 health districts in the East Region of Cameroon. Data were collected using a questionnaire recorded in the Kobo Collect android application, analyzed using SPSS version 25 software and plotted using Excel. Results: The pre-COVID-19 cohort compared to the during-COVID-19 cohort had a 1.90 risk of not adhering to treatment (OR: 1.90, CI {1.90 - 3.37}) and the difference was statistically significant at the 5% level (p-value = 0.029). Frequency of adherence was 65.4% (140/214). Adherence before COVID-19 was 56.9% whereas during COVID-19, it was 74.3%. Conclusion: The implementation of targeted interventions in the COVID-19 context, using evidence-based data and integrating the individual needs of HIV-TB co-infected patients, improved adherence to concurrent anti-tuberculosis treatment and antiretroviral therapy during the COVID-19 Era.

Pancreatic tuberculosis mimicking pancreatic carcinoma during anti-tuberculosis therapy:A case report

Pancreatic tuberculosis(TB) is a rare condition,even in immunocompetent hosts.A case is presented of pancreatic TB that mimicked pancreatic head carcinoma in a 40-year-old immunocompetent male patient.The patient was admitted to our hospital after suffering for nine days from epigastralgia and obstructive jaundice.Computed tomography revealed a pancreatic mass that mimicked a pancreatic head carcinoma.The patient had undergone an operation four months prior for thoracic TB and was undergoing anti-TB therapy.A previous abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable with the exception of gallbladder steroid deposits.The patient underwent surgery due to the progressive discomfort of the upper abdomen and a mass that resembled a pancreatic malignancy.A biopsy of the pancreas and lymph nodes was performed,revealing TB infection.The patient received a cholecystostomy tube and recovered after being administered standard anti-TB therapy for 15 mo.This case is reported to emphasize the rarecontribution of pancreatic TB to pancreatic masses and obstructive jaundice.

Thiopurines are an independent risk factor for active tuberculosis in inflammatory bowel disease patients

The use of thiopurines is an independent risk factor for active tuberculosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The Impact of Directly Observed Therapy on Preventive Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Students in Dalian, China

Preventive treatment has an essential effect on latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI)[purified protein derivative(PPD)induration≥15 mm].Between2010 and 2013,there were 6 tuberculosis(TB)outbreaks in the universities in Dalian,China.So far,in Dalian,the directly observed therapy(DOT)and

Active tuberculosis in inflammatory bowel disease patients under treatment from an endemic area in Latin America

BACKGROUND There has been an increase in cases of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)in recent years.There is also greater access and availability of immunosuppressive and biological agents,which increase the risk of opportunistic infection despite improving the quality of life and promoting mucosal healing.Tuberculosis(TB)remains a public health problem,and it has a high incidence in several countries.Therefore,knowledge of the risk of developing TB in patients with IBD is important.AIM To evaluate the risk of active TB in patients with IBD under treatment from an endemic area in Latin America.METHODS A standard questionnaire included demographic variables,clinical aspects of IBD disease,history of active TB during treatment,active TB characteristics and evolution,initial screening and results and time from the start of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFα)to TB development.RESULTS Azathioprine,anti-TNFα and the combination of these two drugs were associated with a higher risk of active TB incidence.The TNFα blockers increased the relative risk of developing active TB compared to other treatments.All four multivariable models showed that the use of TNFα blockers alone or in combination with azathioprine was an important risk factor for the incidence of active TB.After adjustment for sex,age,type of IBD and latent TB,anti-TNFα with azathioprine increased the relative risk to 17.8 times more than conventional treatment.Late TB,which was diagnosed 3 mo after the start of anti-TNFα,was the most frequent.CONCLUSION Treatment with anti-TNFα increased the risk of active TB in IBD patients from an endemic area in Latin America.This risk was increased when anti-TNFα was combined with azathioprine.The time from the beginning of the treatment to the active TB diagnosis suggests a new TB infection.

Esophageal tuberculosis complicated with intestinal tuberculosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Although the overall incidence of tuberculosis in underdeveloped areas has increased in recent years, esophageal tuberculosis(ET) is still rare. Intestinal tuberculosis(ITB) is relatively more common, but there are few reports of ET complicated with ITB. We report a case of secondary ET complicated with ITB in a previously healthy patient.CASE SUMMARY A 27-year-old female was hospitalized for progressive dysphagia, retrosternal pain, acid regurgitation, belching, heartburn, and nausea. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a mid-esophageal ulcerative hyperplastic lesion. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a homogeneous hypoechoic lesion, with adjacent enlarged lymph nodes. Biopsy histopathology showed inflammatory exudation,exfoliated epithelial cells and interstitial granulation tissue proliferation.Colonoscopy revealed a rat-bite ulcer in the terminal ileum and a superficial ulcer in the ascending colon, near the ileocecal region. The ileum lesion biopsy showed focal granulomas with caseous necrosis. Polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive in the esophageal and ileum lesion biopsies. The T-cell spot tuberculosis test was also positive. The patient was diagnosed with secondary ET infiltrated by mediastinal lymphadenopathy and complicated with ITB, possibly from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected esophageal lesion. After 2 mo of anti-tuberculosis therapy, her symptoms improved significantly, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed healing ulcers.CONCLUSION When dysphagia or odynophagia occurs in patients at high-risk for tuberculosis,ET should be considered.

Unilateral adrenal tuberculosis whose computed tomography imaging characteristics mimic a malignant tumor:A case report

BACKGROUND Adrenal tuberculosis usually presents with bilateral involvement.It has special characteristics in computed tomography(CT)images,such as small size,low attenuation in the center,and peripheral rim enhancement,which differ from those of primary tumors.CASE SUMMARY A 42-year-old female presented to the hospital with low back pain.She had been diagnosed with hypertension as well as pulmonary and cerebral tuberculosis but denied having any fever,fatigue,anorexia,night sweats,cough,or weight loss.Abdominal CT revealed an irregular 6.0 cm×4.5 cm mass with uneven density in the right adrenal gland,while the left adrenal gland was normal.No abnormalities were observed in plasma total cortisol(8 am),adrenocorticotropic hormone,aldosterone/renin ratio,blood catecholamines,or urine catecholamines.A fineneedle aspiration biopsy of the right adrenal gland provided evidence of tuberculosis.After three years of anti-tuberculosis treatments,the large mass in the right adrenal gland was reduced to a slight enlargement.CONCLUSION This is a case of unilateral adrenal tuberculosis with CT imaging characteristics mimicking those of a malignant tumor.Extended anti-tuberculosis therapy is recommended in such cases.

Clinical Study of Drug-resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treated by Combination of Anti-Tuberculosis Chemicals and Compound Astragalus Capsule(复方黄芪胶囊)

Objective: To observe and evaluate the therapeutic effect of anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) chemicals and Compound Astragalus Capsule (CAC) in combinedly treating drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (DR-TB). Methods: Ninety-two patients with DR-TB were equally randomized into the treated group (treated with combination therapy) and the control group (treated with anti-TB chemicals alone). The therapeutic course for both groups was 18 months. Therapeutic effects between the two groups were compared at the end of the therapeutic course. Sputum bacterial negative rate, focal absorption effective rate, cavity closing rate, 10-day symptom improving rate, the incidence of adverse reaction and 2-year bacteriological recurrence rate between the two groups were compared. Results: In the treated group, the sputum bacterial negative conversion rate was 84. 8% , focal absorption effective rate 91. 3% , cavity closing rate 58. 7% and 10-day symptom improving rate 54. 4% , while in the control group, the corresponding rates were 65.2% , 73. 9 % , 37.0% and 26.1 % , respectively. Comparison between the groups showed significant difference in all the parameters (P<0.05, P<0.05, P<0.05 and P<0.01). The incidence of adverse reaction and 2-year bacteriological recurrence rate in the treated group were 23. 9% and 2.6% respectively, while those in the control group 50. 0% and 16. 7% , which were higher than the former group with significant difference ( P<0. 01 and P<0. 05, respectively). Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of combined treatment with anti-TB and CAC is superior to that of treatment with anti-TB chemicals alone, and the Chinese herbal medicine showed an adverse reaction alleviating effect, which provides a new therapy for DR-TB, and therefore, it is worth spreading in clinical practice.

Correlation of Serum C-Reactive Protein with Disease Severity in Tuberculosis Patients

Purpose: To study the factors influencing sputum smear conversion including Serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and its correlation with disease severity in tuberculosis patients. Method: Levels of Serum-CRP concentrations were deter-mined in 60 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 30 healthy volunteers and patients in follow-up after completion of antitubercular treatment (DOTS therapy). Results: Serum-CRP levels were found to be significantly higher in smear-positive group as compared with the follow-up patients and smear-negative control group. The values were 43.65 ± 23.68, 9.88 ± 5.23 and 4.04 ± 3.85 mg/L respectively (P Conclusion: Serum-CRP levels are significantly correlated with disease severity in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Thus these findings from the present study would certainly add new criteria for early diagnosis of TB, which may lead to development of new strategies to treat TB.

Immunosuppressive Treatment of Connective Tissue Disease and Occurrence of Tuberculosis

Introduction: The occurrence of tuberculosis (TB) during the follow-up of Connective tissue diseases (CTD) is a particular situation often posing real diagnostic problems. This is an association described in the literature. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study at the internal medicine department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital. The purpose of this study was to determine the treatment that patients followed for CTD and suffering from TB took before the occurrence of this one. Results: During a study period of 11 years and 6 months, 21 cases of TB were diagnosed in 602 cases of CTD (0.03%). The predominance was female with a sex ratio (H/F) of 0.6. The median age was 42 years old. The majority of cases originated from the Dakar region (13 patients or 61.9%) and 85.7% had previous follow-up exclusively in modern medicine and 21 cases (95%) received the CTD’s treatment. This consisted of prednisone (90.5%) combined with methotrexate (52.4%), azathioprine (23.8%) or cyclophosphamide (19.4%). The respective medians doses of these drugs were 12.5 mg per day for prednisone, 13.5 mg per week for methotrexate and 100 mg per day for azathioprine. The median duration of patient follow-up was 36 months. The cumulative dose of prednisone during this period was 23.6 g and that of methotrexate 2.25 g. CTD were dominated by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (57.1%), and systemic lupus (19%). Isolated cases of systemic scleroderma, primary Sj&#244;gren, SHARP syndrom, mixed connective tissue disease, and multiple autoimmune syndrom were noted. TB was localized in 95% of cases, readily bilateral and poorly disseminated. The respective medians diagnostic delays for systemic disease and TB were 21 months and 5 months. Tuberculin intradermal reaction was performed in 16 cases and was positive in 9 cases, sputum bacilli was performed in 19 cases and was positive in 15 cases. Conclusion: The association of TB and CTD was characterized by its rarity, its poorly disseminated character and its frequency on RA field.

Differentiation of Crohn’s disease from intestinal tuberculosis in India in 2010

Differentiating intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn’s disease (CD) is an important clinical challenge of considerable therapeutic significance. The problem is of greatest magnitude in countries where tuberculosis continues to be highly prevalent, and where the incidence of CD is increasing. The final clinical diagnosis is based on a combination of the clinical history with endoscopic studies, culture and polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, biopsy pathology, radiological investigations and response to therapy. In a subset of patients, surgery is required and intraoperative findings with pathological study of the resected bowel provide a definitive diagnosis. Awareness of the parameters useful in distinguishing these two disorders in each of the different diagnostic modalities is crucial to accurate decision making. Newer techniques, such as capsule endoscopy, small bowel enteroscopy and immunological assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have a role to play in the differentiation of intestinal tuberculosis and CD. This review presents currently available evidence regarding the usefulness and limitations of all these different modalities available for the evaluation of these two disorders.

Abdominal tuberculosis: Is there a role for surgery?

It is important that surgeons are familiar with the various manifestations of tuberculosis(TB). Although TB has been declining in incidence in the developed world, itremains an important problem in endemic areas of the developing world. The aim of the review was to elucidate the natural history and characteristics of abdominal TB and ascertain the indications for surgery. TB can affect the intestine as well as the peritoneum and the most important aspect of abdominal TB is to bear in mind the diagnosis and obtain histological evidence. Abdominal TB is generally responsive to medical treatment, and early diagnosis and management can prevent unnecessary surgical intervention. Due to the challenges of early diagnosis, patients should be managed in collaboration with a physician familiar with anti-tuberculous therapy. An international expert consensus should determine an algorithm for the diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of abdominal TB.

Tuberculosis in kidney transplant candidates and recipients

Tuberculosis(TB)is the leading cause of infectious mortality and morbidity in the world,second only to coronavirus disease 2019.Patients with chronic kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients are at a higher risk of developing TB than the general population.Active TB is difficult to diagnose in this population due to close mimics.All transplant candidates should be screened for latent TB infection and given TB prophylaxis.Patients who develop active TB pre-or post-trans-plantation should receive multidrug combination therapy of antitubercular therapy for the recommended duration with optimal dose modification as per glomerular filtration rate.

Longitudinal observation of an interferon gamma-released assay （T-SPOT.TB） for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in AIDS patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy

Background T-SPOT.TB is a novel test for tuberculosis infection with higher sensitivity and specificity than the traditional tuberculin skin test （TST）. However, there are no longitudinal data in the literature evaluating T-SPOT.TB for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome （AIDS） on highly active antiretroviral therapy （HAART）. The objective of this study was to assess the value of T-SPOT.TB longitudinally in AIDS patients on HAART without prophylaxis for tuberculosis.Methods A prospective observational study was conducted in 50 AIDS patients on HAART. None of the subjects had evidence of active tuberculosis. T-SPOT.TB, a T-cell-based interferon y released assay, was performed at the onset of the study and repeated 24 months thereafter. Subjects were evaluated every 6 months during the 36-month follow-up. Results Twenty-one （42%） AIDS patients on HAART tested positive by T-SPOT.TB （95% Cl 28.3%-55.7%）. The pooled spot-forming cells of early secretory antigenic target-6 （ESAT-6） and culture filtrate protein-10 （CFP-10） peptides were 68/million peripheral blood mononuclear cell （PBMC） （interquartile range 44-220）. The average number of CD4 cells in subjects was （305±152） cells/Ml and there was no significant difference in T-SPOT.TB response rates between subjects with CD4 cell counts 〈200 cells/ul （7/15 （46.7%）, 95% C/21.5%-71.9%） and those with CD4 cell counts≥200 cells/ul （14/35 （40.0%）, 95% Cl 23.8%-56.2%, P=0.662）. In the 32 subjects who completed the 24-month follow-up, 10 underwent T-SPOT.TB reversion, one had T-SPOT.TB conversion, six remained positive and 15 remained negative. None of them advanced to active tuberculosis during the 36-month follow-up.Conclusion The inactive status of tuberculosis infection may be maintained for a long period in AIDS patients on HAART.

Controlling strategy of dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Objective This study aimed to review the available literatures on control of latent tuberculosis （TB） infection and propose a new control strategy to shorten the course of TB chemotherapy. Data sources The data used in this review were mainly obtained from articles listed in PubMed. The search terms were ＂therapy （treatment） of tuberculosis; ＂therapy （treatment） of latent TB infection; and ＂vaccine of TB.＂ Study selection Articles regarding treatment and vaccine of TB were selected and reviewed. Results The most crucial reason causing the prolonged course of TB chemotherapy is the dormant state of Mycobacterium tuberculosis （M. tuberculosis）. Nevertheless, there are, to date, no effective drugs that can directly kill the dormant cells of M. tuberculosis in clinical therapy. In accordance with the growth cycle of dormant M. tuberculosis in the body, the methods for controlling dormant M. tuberculosis include direct killing with drugs, prevention of dormant M. tuberculosis resuscitation with vaccines, and resuscitating dormant M. tuberculosis with preparations or drugs and then thoroughly killing these resuscitated M. tuberculosis by using anti-TB therapy. Conclusions The comprehensive analysis of the above three methods suggests that the drugs directly killing dormant cells are in clinical trials, TMC207 is the most beneficial for controlling TB. Because the side effect of vaccines is less and their action period is long, prevention of dormant cells resuscitation with vaccines is promising. The last control method makes it probable that when a huge number of active cells of M. tuberculosis have been killed and eradicated after 1-month short chemotherapy, only a strong short-term subsequent chemotherapy can completely kill and eradicate the remaining M. tuberculosis. This control strategy is expected to significantly shorten the course of TB chemotherapy and bring a new change and breakthrough in TB treatment.

Achievements and challenges of the World Bank Loan/Department for International Development grant-assisted Tuberculosis Control Project in China

In March 2002,the government of China launched the World Bank Loan/ Department for International Development-supported Tuberculosis （TB） Control Project to reduce the prevalence and mortality of TB. The project generated promising results in policy development, strengthening of TB control systems, patient treatment success,funds management, and the introduction of legislation. In light of the global TB epidemic and control environment, it is useful to review the TB control priorities of the project, summarize the achievements and experiences around its implementation.

Therapeutic DNA vaccines against tuberculosis:a promising but arduous task

Objective To review recent developments in therapeutic DNA vaccines against tuberculosis. Data sources The data used in this review were obtained mainly from the studies of therapeutic DNA vaccines against tuberculosis reported from 2000 to 2006.

Risk of tuberculosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biological and targeted drugs:meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Background:Concerns exist regarding the potential development of tuberculosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)treated with biological and targeted drugs.We assessed systematically whether biological therapy increased the risk of tuberculosis in patients with RA by meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials(RCTs).Methods:A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed,Embase,the Cochrane Library,and China Biology Medicine disc for RCTs evaluating biological therapy in patients with RA from inception through August 2021.Traditional meta-analysis and network meta-analysis were performed to compare the risk of tuberculosis for each biologics class in patients with RA.Peto odds ratio(Peto OR)and its 95%confidence interval(CI)were calculated as the primary effect measure.Results:In total,39 studies with 20,354 patients were included in this meta-analysis,and 82 patients developed tuberculosis.The risk of tuberculosis was increased in patients treated with biologics compared with non-biologics(Peto OR:3.86,95%CI:2.36-6.32,P<0.001).Also,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)inhibitors had a higher probability of developing tuberculosis than placebo(Peto OR:3.98,95%CI:2.30-6.88,P<0.001).However,network meta-analysis demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the risk of tuberculosis for each biologics class in patients with RA.Noticeably,tuberculosis was significantly more common in patients treated with a high dose compared with patients receiving a low dose of tofacitinib(Peto OR:7.39,95%CI:2.00-27.31,P=0.003).Conclusion:This meta-analysis demonstrates the evidence of an elevated risk of tuberculosis in patients with RA treated with TNF-αinhibitors,and a dose-dependent elevated risk of tuberculosis in patients treated with tofacitinib.

Tuberculosis care strategies and their economic consequences for patients: the missing link to end tuberculosis

Background:While investment in the development of Tuberculosis(TB)treatment strategies is essential,it cannot be assumed that the strategies are affordable for TB patients living in countries with high economic constraints.This study aimed to determine the economic consequences of directly observed therapy for TB patients.Methods:A cross-sectional cost-of-illness analysis was conducted between September to November 2015 among 576 randomly selected adult TB patients who were on directly observed treatment in 27 public health facilities in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia.Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the Tool to Estimate Patients’Costs.Mean and median costs,reduction of productivity,and household expenditure of TB patients were calculated and ways of coping costs captured.Eta(η),Odds ratio and p values were used to measure association between variables.Results:Of the total 576 TB patients enrolled,43%were smear-positive pulmonary TB(PTB),17%smear-negative PTB,37%Extra-PTB and 3%multi-drug resistant TB cases.Direct(Out-of-Pocket)mean and median costs of TB illness to patients were$123.0(SD=58.8)and$125.78(R=338.12),respectively,and indirect(loss income)mean and median costs were$54.26(SD=43.5)and$44.61(R=215.6),respectively.Mean and median total cost of TB illness to patient were$177.3(SD=78.7)and$177.1(R=461.8),respectively.The total cost had significant association with patient’s household income,residence,need for additional food,and primary income(P<0.05).Direct costs were catastrophic for 63%of TB patients,regardless of significant difference between gender(P=0.92)and type of TB cases(P=0.37).TB patients mean productivity and income reduced by 37 and 10%,respectively,compared with pre-treatment level,while mean household expenditure increased by 33%and working hours reduced by 78%due to TB illness.Income quartile categories were directly correlated with catastrophic costs(η=0.684).Conclusion:Despite the availability of free-of-charge anti-TB drugs,TB patients were suffering from out-of-pocket payments with catastrophic consequences,which in turn were hampering the efforts to end TB.TB patients in resource-limited countries deserve integrated patient-centered care with comprehensive health insurance coverage,financial incentives,and nutrition support to reduce catastrophic costs and retain them in care.Such countries should induce home-based directly observed therapy programs to reduce costs due to attending health facilities,intensify home treatment of critically-ill patients with impaired mobility,and reduce the spread of TB due to patients traveling to seek care.