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Ending tuberculosis: challenges and opportunities

Despite impacting mankind since ancient times, tuberculosis (TB) persists as the leading cause of death from an infectious disease. TB can remain latent and further research is required to understand activation risk and the risks vs. the benefits of treating latent infection. Drug resistance poses an escalating threat to treating active disease and achieving cure.

Mapping Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes in Hunan Province, China

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains a major public health challenge in China, with varying treatment outcomes across different regions. Understanding the spatial distribution of DR-TB treatment outcomes is crucial for targeted interventions to improve treatment success in high-burden areas such as Hunan Province. This study aimed to map the spatial distribution of DR-TB treatment outcomes at a local level and identify sociodemographic and environmental factors associated with poor treatment outcomes in Hunan Province, China.

Malaria in Nepal: A Spatiotemporal Study of the Disease Distribution and Challenges on the Path to Elimination

Malaria incidence (MI) has significantly declined in Nepal, and this study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution and drivers of MI at the ward level. Data for malaria cases were obtained from the National Surveillance System from 2013 to 2021. Data for covariates, including annual mean temperature, annual mean precipitation, and distance to the nearest city, were obtained from publicly available sources. A Bayesian spatial model was used to identify factors associated with the spatial distribution of MI.

Prioritizing high-risk populations for soil-transmitted helminth control in the Western Pacific Region

To achieve targets set within the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the 2021–2030 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Roadmap, the World Health Organization identify the need for improved data analytics to inform NTD control programs. 

Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile in children and adolescents in the community in Cambodia

Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile transmission between community and healthcare settings has been increasingly reported. We aimed to identify the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of C. difficile colonising adolescents and non-hospitalised children in Cambodia.

Prevalence of tuberculosis infection among contacts of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Contact investigations with drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) patients have demonstrated a high prevalence of tuberculosis infection (TBI). However, the prevalence of TBI among individuals in close contact with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients is poorly understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of TBI among household and non-household contacts of DR-TB patients.

An Oxygen Supply Is Not Enough: A Qualitative Analysis of a Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Plant Program in Ethiopian Hospitals

In response to critical gaps in medical oxygen access, 2 pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen production centers were established using an ecosystem-strengthening strategy in Amhara, Ethiopia, in 2019. A qualitative study was conducted to assess enablers and bottlenecks to oxygen access at the hospital level after installation. 

Burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis among contacts of index cases: A protocol for a systematic review

People having close contact with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients are at increased risk of contracting and developing the disease. However, no comprehensive review has been undertaken to estimate the burden of DR-TB among contacts of DR-TB patients. Therefore, the current systematic review will quantify the prevalence and incidence of DR-TB among contacts of DR-TB patients.

Interventions to prevent post-tuberculosis sequelae: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global public health challenge, causing substantial mortality and morbidity. While TB treatment has made significant progress, it often leaves survivors with post-TB sequelae, resulting in long-term health issues.

Economic burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis on patients and households: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a major health threat worldwide, causing a significant economic burden to patients and their families. Due to the longer duration of treatment and expensive second-line medicine, the economic burden of MDR-TB is assumed to be higher than drug-susceptible TB.