IISc researchers have discovered the mechanism by which TB bacteria develop tolerance to TB drugs. They found a combination of malaria and TB drug can prevent the bacteria from developing drug tolerance. The drug combination cleared TB bacteria from mice lungs in eight weeks. Researchers from Bengaluru have made an important discovery of the mechanism … Continue reading Combination therapy using malaria drug quickly clears TB
Isoniazid
Cheap, filter-based kits developed for TB diagnosis, drug-resistance testing
Three cheap, filter-based kits developed by a multi-institutional team and an industry partner improves the sensitivity of LED fluorescence microscopy by 5%, enable transport of sputum samples at ambient conditions without bio-safe containers and TB drug-resistance testing using molecular methods. To address the TB diagnostic challenges, a multi-institutional team has developed three cost-effective kits that … Continue reading Cheap, filter-based kits developed for TB diagnosis, drug-resistance testing
Delhi researchers find diabetic drug improves the efficacy of two TB drugs
Delhi researchers have identified a protein that is vital for the formation of biofilm by TB-causing bacteria and other bacterial species. Two FDA-approved drugs (acarbose and cyclosporine-A) bind to the protein and inhibit biofilm formation. The two drugs increased the effectiveness of isoniazid and ethambutol (first-line TB drugs) 2- and 4-fold respectively. Animal trials have … Continue reading Delhi researchers find diabetic drug improves the efficacy of two TB drugs
Podcast: FDA-approved asthma drug effectively treats TB
Archita Mishra and other researchers from IISc found that a FDA-approved asthma drug can be used for treating TB. Laboratory studies found the drug to be more effective in curtailing the growth of TB bacteria when used alone and in combination with anti-TB drugs — rifampicin and isoniazid. The drug was also able to prevent the … Continue reading Podcast: FDA-approved asthma drug effectively treats TB
IISc researchers find asthma drug effective in treating TB
Researchers at IISc used a FDA-approved asthma drug to treat TB. Laboratory studies found the drug to be more effective in curtailing the growth of TB bacteria when used alone and in combination with anti-TB drugs — rifampicin and isoniazid. The drug was also able to prevent the bacteria from causing inflammation thereby proving to be … Continue reading IISc researchers find asthma drug effective in treating TB
IGIB shows how fat cells protect TB bacteria from oxidative stress
IGIB researchers found that genes responsible for iron intake were less expressed in TB bacteria found in fat cells. The decreased expression provides protection to TB bacteria from iron-mediated oxidative stress. Different regions of a tissue have different levels of fat and iron, and TB bacteria have the ability to adapt to each condition, thus making … Continue reading IGIB shows how fat cells protect TB bacteria from oxidative stress
A looming threat of tuberculosis in children
The RNTCP guidelines on contact screening are heeded mostly in the breach. About 5,500 of over 76,000 children tested in nine Indian cities have been diagnosed with tuberculosis, 9% of them with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), highlighting the silent spread of the disease. Though the actual prevalence of MDR-TB among children in India is not known, … Continue reading A looming threat of tuberculosis in children
Pilot testing of bedaquiline drug on TB patients to start soon
A pilot programme to test the toxicity, particularly cardio-toxicity, of bedaquiline drug (used for combating multidrug-drug resistant TB) in the Indian population, assess its ability to achieve culture conversion and check the operational feasibility of using the drug to treat MDR-TB patients would start in India by the end of this month or on World … Continue reading Pilot testing of bedaquiline drug on TB patients to start soon
‘Nuances of childhood TB are never taught in medical schools’
If diagnosing tuberculosis in children, particularly those aged under five years, is fraught with problems, health-care workers at different levels who are unaware of the latest advancements in childhood TB diagnosis and treatment make it even worse. “Tuberculosis is a part of the training programme when doctors go through a M.D course. So a basic … Continue reading ‘Nuances of childhood TB are never taught in medical schools’
Child-friendly, first-line TB combination drugs will be available in 2016: Dr. Mel Spigelman
Dr. Mel Spigelman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance) is regarded as one of the world’s leading experts in tuberculosis and TB drug development. He was instrumental in forging key organisational partnerships and building the pipeline of TB drug candidates when he was the Director of … Continue reading Child-friendly, first-line TB combination drugs will be available in 2016: Dr. Mel Spigelman
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