scholarly journals Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection from oral swabs with Xpert MTB/RIF ULTRA: A pilot study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies Mesman ◽  
Roger Calderon ◽  
Martin Soto ◽  
Julia Coit ◽  
Juan Aliaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Liquid Culture ◽  
Treatment Initiation ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Reference Test ◽  
Living With Hiv

AbstractObjectiveDiagnostic testing for tuberculosis depends on microbiological detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in sputum. For patients unable to expectorate sputum, such as children and individuals living with HIV, this poses barriers to rapid diagnosis and treatment initiation. Therefore, this study aimed to use oral swabs have as alternative sample type for Mtb detection via molecular testing.ResultsIn a pilot study, we aimed to evaluate sensitivity of Mtb detection via oral swabs using Xpert MTB/RIF ULTRA. We enrolled 63 TB cases and controls from Lima, Peru, and detected Mtb from oral swabs with a sensitivity of 45% (95% confidence interval (CI): 29%-63%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI: 84%-100%) using liquid culture of sputum as reference test. Our current protocol will need optimization, but these results support future exploration of the use of oral swabs for Mtb detection.

scholarly journals A Pilot Study of a Mobile Intervention to Support Mental Health and Adherence Among Adolescents Living with HIV in Western Kenya

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Chory ◽  
Grant Callen ◽  
Winstone Nyandiko ◽  
Tabitha Njoroge ◽  
Celestine Ashimosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Individual Counseling ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Living With Hiv

AbstractMobile technologies represent potentially novel and scalable intervention delivery platforms for adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a prospective, mixed methods pilot study to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the WhatsApp® platform to deliver individual counseling services and facilitate peer support for ALWH in western Kenya. Thirty ALWH (17 female, mean age 15.4) on ART, engaged in HIV care and aware of their status, were enrolled. After 6 months, participants described their experiences with the intervention. Treatment adherence, stigma, and mental and behavioral health were assessed prospectively. Participants reported overall positive experiences and indicated that the platform encouraged peer network development. They endorsed potential benefits for treatment adherence, stigma reduction, and mental and behavioral health. All participants supported intervention expansion. In western Kenya, WhatsApp® was an acceptable and feasible platform for mobile counseling and peer support for ALWH.

scholarly journals Reprocessing of Contaminated MGIT 960 Cultures to Improve Availability of Valid Results for Mycobacteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Balaji Subramanyam ◽  
Gomathi Sivaramakrishnan ◽  
Devi Sangamithrai ◽  
Rajkumar Ravi ◽  
Kannan Thiruvengadam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Liquid Culture ◽  
Optimal Recovery ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Contamination Rate ◽  
Significant Recovery ◽  
Negative Results

Optimal recovery of mycobacteria from the contaminated liquid culture is a challenge. While alternative methods have been suggested to reduce the rate of contamination in the BACTEC MGIT 960 system, reprocessing the contaminated liquid culture improves recovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Among 793 MGIT cultures raised from as many sputum specimens after primary decontamination by the standard NaLC-NaOH method, valid results were available for 687 (86.6%) as 106 (13.4%) were contaminated. Reprocessing and reculturing of the contaminated cultures increased valid results to 739 (93.2%) and reduced the contamination rate to 6.8%. Both values were statistically significant. Recovery of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex increased from 45.6% to 48.4%. Valid negative results were available for an additional 3.4%. The method may be adopted to reduce the rate of contamination and to improve the valid culture results for mycobacteria.

scholarly journals Feasibility of SMS to remind pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV to take antiretroviral treatment in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-148
Author(s):  
Kennedy M Ngowi ◽  
Eusebious Maro ◽  
Rob E Aarnoutse ◽  
Blandina T Mmbaga ◽  
Mirjam A. G Sprangers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Network Failure ◽  
Women Living With Hiv ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Sms Reminders ◽  
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Lost To Follow Up ◽  
Privacy Issues

Background: Pregnant and breastfeeding Women Living with HIV (WLHIV) often have difficulties in reaching adequate levels of adherence (>95%) to Antiretroviral treatment. “Forgetting” is the most commonly mentioned reason. Sending reminders via SMS is expected to improve adherence. We conducted a pilot study to investigate acceptability, user experience and technical feasibility of sending reminder-SMS to WLHIV. Methods: This was a 6-months observational pilot-study among WLHIV attending antenatal and postnatal care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania. Women received a reminder-SMS 30 minutes before usual time of intake. One hour later, they received an SMS asking whether they took medication to which they could reply with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Messages were sent 3 times a week on randomly chosen days to prevent reliance on daily messages. We calculated the percentage of number of SMS delivered, failed to be delivered, and replied to. We analysed feedback from exit-interviews about experience with the SMS-reminders. Results: 25 women were enrolled (age 18-45), 2 were lost to follow up. 5,054 messages were sent of which 53 failed to be delivered (1%). 1,880 SMS were sent with a question if medication was taken; 1,012 (54%) messages were replied to, of which 1,003 (99%) were replied with ‘YES’ and closely to ‘YES’, and a total of 9 (1%) with ‘NO’ and ‘closely to NO’. 868 messages (46%) were not responded to due to either dropout, change of phone number, loss of phone or network failure. Results from 18 interviews showed that 16 (89%) women were satisfied with SMS reminders. 2 (11%) were concerned about unwanted disclosure because of the content ‘don’t forget to take medication’ and one reported other privacy issues (6%). 3 (17%) women experienced stigma. Conclusion: 99%of SMS being delivered indicates that SMS reminders in this resource-limited setting are technically feasible. However, concerns regarding privacy were noted, specifically the risk of unwanted disclosure and the experience of stigma. Participants indicated that being made aware of their adherence, motivated them to adhere better. However, personalised and more neutral content of the SMS might be a way to improving the intervention.

scholarly journals Environmental reservoirs of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Ruaha region, Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma R. Travis ◽  
Yujiun Hung ◽  
David Porter ◽  
Goodluck Paul ◽  
Robert James ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Household Dust ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Temporal Correlations ◽  
Invasive Test ◽  
Cattle Faeces ◽  
Ruaha National Park

ABSTRACTThis study was designed to investigate the prevalence of members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in the environment of pastoralists and villagers in the Iringa district, adjacent to the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. Utilising specific qPCR assays, both Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were detected in cattle faeces, boma soil, water and household dust. M. bovis was also found in goat faeces and goat boma soil. This is the first report of faecal shedding of M. bovis in goats and the first molecular survey of faecal shedding in cattle. The prevalence of both bacterial species varied by village, area, season and sample type. Geographical and temporal correlations across sample types were suggestive of cross species transmission. This non-invasive test has previously been rigorously validated for screening other mammals; in this study it has successfully been applied to detect M. bovis and M. tuberculosis in livestock faeces and the environment.

scholarly journals Magnitude and Reasons for Gaps in Tuberculosis Diagnostic Testing and Treatment Initiation: An Operational Research Study from Dakshina Kannada, South India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imaad Mohammed Ismail ◽  
Akshaya Kibballi Madhukeshwar ◽  
Poonam Ramesh Naik ◽  
Badarudeen Mohammad Nayarmoole ◽  
Srinath Satyanarayana
Keyword(s):  
Operational Research ◽  
South India ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Treatment Initiation ◽  
Diagnostic Testing

Multiplex digital colour-coded barcode technology on RNA extracted from routine cytological samples of patients with non-small cell lung cancer: pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 803-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Sgariglia ◽  
Pasquale Pisapia ◽  
Mariantonia Nacchio ◽  
Caterina De Luca ◽  
Francesco Pepe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Small Cell Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Lung Cancer ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Parameter Analysis ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Small Cell Lung ◽  
Advanced Stages

In the advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), molecular testing is often performed on archival cytological smears. The nCounter system (NanoString Technologies) is a new promising multiplex digital colour-coded barcode technology. However, its feasibility to evaluate the RNA expression of clinical relevant biomarkers on routine cytological smears is still uncertain. To this end, RNA was extracted from 12 NSCLC routine stained cytological smears, and nCounter analysis performed by using a 48-gene panel. Overall, 11/12 (92%) of the smears were adequate for the secondary analysis, fulfilling the quality check parameter analysis of nSolver software. This pilot study shows that RNA nCounter analysis is feasible on routine cytological smears preparing the field for the implementation of this technology in the routine setting.

Utility and acceptability of text messages for PMTCT: a qualitative assessment of user experiences (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda Brown ◽  
May Maloba ◽  
Catherine Wexler ◽  
Natabhona Mabachi ◽  
Sharon Koech ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Women Living With Hiv ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Evidence that text messages can support patient adherence to HIV care is growing. We conducted a pilot study of the HIV Infant Tracking System (HITSystem 2.0), an intervention that includes SMS to patients to support maternal medication adherence, appointment attendance, and hospital-based deliveries during the antenatal period. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to qualitatively assess women’s experiences receiving SMS to understand message utility and acceptability with the goal of refining and strengthening the intervention. METHODS As part of an intervention development pilot study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 33 women living with HIV who received SMS through the HITSystem 2.0 throughout their pregnancy and postpartum period. Interview questions assessed women’s feedback of the SMS, the impact of the SMS on their PMTCT care, and suggestions for improvement. RESULTS Participants described how SMS reinforced existing strategies for medication adherence and served as cues to action for antenatal appointments and hospital-based deliveries. SMS also provided encouragement and enhanced their sense of engagement with their clinical care team. Given the neutral content of the messages, most women reported no concerns about message confidentiality. Recommendations to enhance utility included greater customizability (timing and frequency of messages) and a few women suggested more comprehensive counseling regarding the SMS content to anticipate at the time of enrollment. CONCLUSIONS SMS content was deemed useful and acceptable by pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV and engaged in PMTCT services. Participant recommendations to increase message customization options have been adopted to enhance the intervention. CLINICALTRIAL Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02726607. Registered 01 April 2016. Retrospectively registered. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02726607

“I did have some cough when I was still living in Africa six months ago”

HIV ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 137-154
Author(s):  
L. Beth Gadkowski ◽  
Connie Haley
Keyword(s):  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Latent Tb ◽  
Latent Tb Infection ◽  
High Level ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome ◽  
Improve Patient ◽  
Cd4 T Cell Count

In patients with HIV infection, tuberculosis (TB) can present at any CD4 T-cell count, with a diversity of pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations. Because TB is spread via a respiratory route and may rapidly progress if untreated, providers should maintain a high level of suspicion for TB disease. Diagnostic evaluation includes testing of sputum or other clinical samples using acid-fast bacilli smear, mycobacterial culture, and molecular testing to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA and mutations that confer TB drug resistance. Treatment of drug-susceptible TB consists of isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for 2 months, followed by isoniazid and rifampin for 4 months. Monitoring for drug interactions, toxicity, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, and nonadherence can improve patient outcomes. Patients living with HIV should be screened and treated for latent TB infection and given antiretroviral therapy to prevent TB disease.

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