ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Large variability in anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug concentrations between patients is known to exist. However, limited information is available on intrapatient drug levels during the course of anti-TB treatment (ATT). This study was conducted to evaluate intrapatient variability in plasma rifampicin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH) concentrations during ATT at start of the treatment, at the end of intensive phase (IP) of ATT and at the end of ATT in adult TB patients being treated in the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP). Methods: Adult TB patients (n=485), receiving thrice-weekly ATT in the RNTCP, were studied. Two-hour post-dosing concentrations of RMP and INH were determined at month 1, end of IP and end of ATT, after directly observed drug administration. Drug concentrations were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The median (inter-quartile range) RMP concentrations during the first month, at end of IP and end of ATT were 2.1 (0.4-5.0), 2.4 (0.6-5.5) and 2.2 (0.5-5.3) ?g/ml, respectively. The corresponding INH concentrations were 7.1 (4.2-9.9), 7.2 (3.9-10.9) and 6.7 (3.9-9.5) ?g/ml. None of the differences in drug concentrations obtained at different time points during ATT were significant. RMP and INH concentrations at different time points were significantly correlated. Age and body mass index caused significant variability in drug concentrations. Interpretation & conclusions: Plasma RMP and INH estimations in adult TB patients at two hours after drug administration remained unaltered during ATT. Clinicians can consider testing drug concentrations at any time point during ATT. These findings may assume significance in the context of therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-TB drug concentrations.
ABSTRACT
In Japan, tuberculosis (TB) control activities are conducted by public health centres (PHCs) and treatment support is provided by public health nurses (PHNs). This study describes the TB situation in the affected areas and assesses the effectiveness of Japan’s TB control efforts after the disaster.
ABSTRACT
India established the National Tuberculosis Control Project (NTCP) 50 years ago and re-designed it as Revised NTCP (RNTCP) 19 years ago. Tuberculosis (TB) control was beset with obstacles — BCG vaccination was found ineffective in TB control in 1979; human immunodeficiency virus began spreading in India since 1984 with TB as the commonest opportunistic disease; multi-drug resistance was found to be prevalent since 1992. The World Health Organization declared TB as global emergency in 1993. Yet, RNTCP was extended to the whole nation very slowly, taking 13 years from inception. The first objective of RNTCP, namely 85% treatment success has been achieved and case-fatality had dropped by 90%. Still, TB burden continues to remain huge; about half the cases are not getting registered under RNTCP; pediatric TB is neglected; TB drains national economy of US$ 23 billion annually. Therefore, TB control is in urgent need of re-design and re-invigoration, with additional inputs and system re-organization to cover all such gaps. We highlight the need for Public Health infrastructure under which all vertical disease control projects such as RNTCP should be synergized for better efficiency and for establishing Public Health Surveillance for collecting denominator-based data on incidence and prevalence to guide course corrections. India ought to spend 3 to 5 times more on TB control than at present. Control needs clear epidemiologic definition and measurable parameters for monitoring the level of control over time. TB control is both a measure of, and a means to, socioeconomic development.
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Objetivo: Describir la situación de la tuberculosis en Colombia durante los años 2007 y 2008, enfatizando en el comportamiento de la infección concomitante con virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y de la tuberculosis pediátrica. Materiales y métodos: Se trató de un estudio descriptivo. La fuente de información fue el Programa Nacional de Control de la Tuberculosis. Los datos se recolectaron de los informes trimestrales de casos y actividades, y del análisis de cohortes que tiene implementado el programa en los departamentos y distritos del país. Resultados: Entre los años 2007 y 2008, se presentó un leve aumento en el reporte global de casos de tuberculosis en el país, pasando de 11.051 a 11.573; el grupo de edad más afectado fue el comprendido entre los 25 y los 34 años, y se reportaron más casos en hombres que en mujeres. Los casos de tuberculosis en menores de 15 años pasaron de 347 a 419. El número de pacientes con tuberculosis e infección concomitante por VIH reportados al Programa Nacional de Control de la Tuberculosis se duplicó, pasando de 218 casos a 457 entre 2007 y 2008; el mayor número de estos casos se presentó en hombres y en el grupo de edad entre los 25 y 44 años. Conclusiones: Se observa una mejora en la notificación, un aumento en el número de casos de tuberculosis en la población general y en la pediátr8ica, y de infección concomitante tuberculosis y VIH, al comparar los años 2007 y 2008. En cuanto a los indicadores programáticos generales, durante estos años el país no alcanzó las metas de captación, detección y curación.
Objective: To describe the status of Tuberculosis in Colombia during 2007 and 2008, emphasizing TB-HIV co-infection and pediatric TB behavior. Materials and Methods:ºThis is a descriptive study. The information source was the National TB Control Program (PNCT in Spanish). Data were collected from the cases and activities quarterly reports and the cohort analysis the national program has implemented in the departments and districts of the country. Outcomes: In 2007 and 2008 a slight increase, from 11,051 to 11,573 cases, in reporting tuberculosis cases of in the country was documented. The most affected age group included patients 25 to 34 years old, and there were more men than women among the reported cases. TB cases in 15 year olds and younger increased from 347 to 419, and the number of patients with TB-HIV coinfection reported to the NTCP doubled; that is, the number of cases went from 218 to 457 from 2007 to 2008. The largest number of cases occurred among men and the 25 to 44 year old group. Conclusions: An improvement in reporting cases has been observed, as well as an increase in the number of TB cases within the general, pediatric, and TB/HIV populations when comparing 2007 and 2008. In relation to general programmatic indicators, the country did not reach the detection and treatment goals during those years.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Adolescent , Tuberculosis , Concurrent Symptoms , HIV , Tuberculosis/mortality , Colombia , Health Surveillance System , National Health ProgramsABSTRACT
Background: As routine culture facilities are not available in TB control programme in low income countries like India, there is an urgent need to improve the sensitivity of sputum microscopy, especially in diagnosis of smear negative pulmonary TB. Methodology: In a double blind placebo controlled study, the role of repeat sputum microscopy after antibiotics and oral salbutamol supplement in improving the diagnosis of smear negative TB suspects was investigated in an urban TB clinic. We undertook culture examinations for all study patients to find out proportions of TB cases in this series. Results: Of 206 enrolled, (101 salbutamol (S), 105 placebo (P) groups) 26 were positive by repeat sputum smear examination; similar in two groups (S 16, P 10, p = 0.25). In all, 40 (S 23, P 17) including 26 smear- positives, were culture -positive for M. tuberculosis. Conclusions: Two thirds of initially smear negative but culture positive TB patients were smear positive on repeat sputum examination. Thus, repeat sputum smear microscopy for TB suspects improved the diagnosis, nevertheless oral salbutamol therapy was not beneficial. In resource poor settings, repeat sputum smear microscopy after a trial of antibiotics, could significantly improve the diagnosis of smear-negative PTB patients.