scholarly journals Innovative Strategies for Developing Tuberculosis Implementation Research in Sudan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Ahmed Elshayeb ◽  
Nihad Mohammed Ahmed ◽  
Karimeldin Mohammed Salih ◽  
Osama Abu Zaid Nugoud ◽  
Abd Allah Elnayeb Yagoub ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Sudan, especially Eastern States are very poor areas at great risk of endemic and communicable diseases particularly tuberculosis. The reasons for the spread and transmission of this disease include medical, economical and geographical issues, besides Sudan’s location in the middle of nine countries in East Africa, its boundaries were affected by free movement, high number of conflicts displaced peoples from boarders’ countries, high illiteracy rates, limited financial resources and shortages in medical services. Objectives: This project is conducted to implement a new developed system for eliminating Tuberculosis infections among eastern Sudanese populations focusing on the eradication of multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis including novel methods for the targeted delivery of new therapeutic drugs. Conceptual Methodology: Strategies adopted in this work are proposed to increase access includes to communicable and economic factors. Disease Survey and Laboratorial Investigation for Multi Drug Resistant bacterial strains confirmation. Medical Assessment of TB Patients to facilitate improved efficiencies through metric measurement and enable patients’ relationship management. Established a national level policy of treatment, vaccination and prevention. Administering regular evaluation of the disease situation and control.Results: Implementation outcomes includes the conceptual framework for this project were informed by a combination of the general program logic model, the health system framework of the World Health Organization, WHO, the pillars of the Sudan health agenda, and the framework of the Strategic Elimination Plan. It is assumed that the reduction of TB burden at the national level (long-term output or impact) is preceded by improved case-finding and case-holding practices (short-term output). Impact outcome of the project is derived from the observation that tuberculosis is much more common at the boarders than center of Sudan where no adequate clinical services are available. It is conceivable that, although outbreaks may occur periodically, the control of disease might be easier to overcome than direct medication.Conclusion: A major success of the project accomplishment, is the stimulation of the implementation strategy development for elimination and eradication of Tuberculosis in Sudan with a view to bring diagnostic and surveillance issues much higher up according to the implementation research agenda especially for those areas explored with similar national and international research projects, reports and technical initiatives.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Ahmed Elshayeb ◽  
Nihad Mohammed Ahmed ◽  
Karimeldin Mohammed Salih ◽  
Osama Abu Zaid Nugoud ◽  
Abd Allah Elnayeb Yagoub ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Sudan, especially Eastern States are very poor areas at great risk of endemic and communicable diseases particularly tuberculosis. The reasons for the spread and transmission of this disease include medical, economical and geographical issues, besides Sudan’s location in the middle of nine countries in East Africa, its boundaries were affected by free movement, high number of conflicts displaced peoples from boarders’ countries, high illiteracy rates, limited financial resources and shortages in medical services. Objectives: This project is conducted to implement a new developed system for eliminating Tuberculosis infections among eastern Sudanese populations focusing on the eradication of multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis including novel methods for the targeted delivery of new therapeutic drugs. Methods: Strategies adopted in this work are proposed to increase access includes to communicable and economic factors. Disease Survey and Laboratorial Investigation for Multi Drug Resistant bacterial strains confirmation. Medical Assessment of TB Patients to facilitate improved efficiencies through metric measurement and enable patients’ relationship management. Established a national level policy of treatment, vaccination and prevention. Administering regular evaluation of the disease situation and control.Results: Implementation outcomes includes the conceptual framework for this project were informed by a combination of the general program logic model, the health system framework of the World Health Organization, WHO, the pillars of the Sudan health agenda, and the framework of the Strategic Elimination Plan. It is assumed that the reduction of TB burden at the national level (long-term output or impact) is preceded by improved case-finding and case-holding practices (short-term output). Impact outcome of the project is derived from the observation that tuberculosis is much more common at the boarders than center of Sudan where no adequate clinical services are available. It is conceivable that, although outbreaks may occur periodically, the control of disease might be easier to overcome than direct medication.Conclusion: A major success of the project accomplishment, is the stimulation of the implementation strategy development for elimination and eradication of Tuberculosis in Sudan with a view to bring diagnostic and surveillance issues much higher up according to the implementation research agenda especially for those areas explored with similar national and international research projects, reports and technical initiatives.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 786
Author(s):  
Pablo Cristobal-Cueto ◽  
Alberto García-Quintanilla ◽  
Jaime Esteban ◽  
Meritxell García-Quintanilla

Bacteriophages are ubiquitous in nature and their use is a current promising alternative in biological control. Multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains are present in the livestock industry and phages are attractive candidates to eliminate them and their biofilms. This alternative therapy also reduces the non-desirable effects produced by chemicals on food. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 420,000 people die due to a foodborne illness annually, suggesting that an improvement in food biocontrol is desirable. This review summarizes relevant studies of phage use in biocontrol focusing on treatments in live animals, plants, surfaces, foods, wastewaters and bioremediation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (17) ◽  
pp. 649-654
Author(s):  
Piroska Orosi ◽  
Judit Szidor ◽  
Tünde Tóthné Tóth ◽  
József Kónya

The swine-origin new influenza variant A(H1N1) emerged in 2009 and changed the epidemiology of the 2009/2010 influenza season globally and at national level. Aims: The aim of the authors was to analyse the cases of two influenza seasons. Methods: The Medical and Health Sciences Centre of Debrecen University has 1690 beds with 85 000 patients admitted per year. The diagnosis of influenza was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction in the microbiological laboratories of the University and the National Epidemiological Centre, according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Results: The incidence of influenza was not higher than that observed in the previous season, but two high-risk patient groups were identified: pregnant women and patients with immunodeficiency (oncohematological and organ transplant patients). The influenza vaccine, which is free for high-risk groups and health care workers in Hungary, appeared to be effective for prevention, because in the 2010/2011 influenza season none of the 58 patients who were administered the vaccination developed influenza. Conclusion: It is an important task to protect oncohematological and organ transplant patients. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 649–654.


2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110260
Author(s):  
Mairead Connolly ◽  
Laura Phung ◽  
Elise Farrington ◽  
Michelle J. L. Scoullar ◽  
Alyce N. Wilson ◽  
...  

Preterm birth and stillbirth are important global perinatal health indicators. Definitions of these indicators can differ between countries, affecting comparability of preterm birth and stillbirth rates across countries. This study aimed to document national-level adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of preterm birth and stillbirth in the WHO Western Pacific region. A systematic search of government health websites and 4 electronic databases was conducted. Any official report or published study describing the national definition of preterm birth or stillbirth published between 2000 and 2020 was eligible for inclusion. A total of 58 data sources from 21 countries were identified. There was considerable variation in how preterm birth and stillbirth was defined across the region. The most frequently used lower gestational age threshold for viability of preterm birth was 28 weeks gestation (range 20-28 weeks), and stillbirth was most frequently classified from 20 weeks gestation (range 12-28 weeks). High-income countries more frequently used earlier gestational ages for preterm birth and stillbirth compared with low- to middle-income countries. The findings highlight the importance of clear, standardized, internationally comparable definitions for perinatal indicators. Further research is needed to determine the impact on regional preterm birth and stillbirth rates.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 312
Author(s):  
Mohammad Okkeh ◽  
Nora Bloise ◽  
Elisa Restivo ◽  
Lorenzo De Vita ◽  
Piersandro Pallavicini ◽  
...  

In 2017 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a list of the 12 multidrug-resistant (MDR) families of bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health, and recommended that new measures should be taken to promote the development of new therapies against these superbugs. Few antibiotics have been developed in the last two decades. Part of this slow progression can be attributed to the surge in the resistance acquired by bacteria, which is holding back pharma companies from taking the risk to invest in new antibiotic entities. With limited antibiotic options and an escalating bacterial resistance there is an urgent need to explore alternative ways of meeting this global challenge. The field of medical nanotechnology has emerged as an innovative and a powerful tool for treating some of the most complicated health conditions. Different inorganic nanomaterials including gold, silver, and others have showed potential antibacterial efficacies. Interestingly, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained specific attention, due to their biocompatibility, ease of surface functionalization, and their optical properties. In this review, we will focus on the latest research, done in the field of antibacterial gold nanoparticles; by discussing the mechanisms of action, antibacterial efficacies, and future implementations of these innovative antibacterial systems.


Author(s):  
Alicia M. Alonso-Martínez ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Yesenia García-Alonso ◽  
Mikel Izquierdo ◽  
Antonio García-Hermoso

Background: A better understanding of the effects of the lockdown on lifestyle behaviors may help to guide the public health response to COVID-19 at a national level and to update the global strategy to respond COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on device-measured physical activity (PA), sedentary time, sleep and self-regulation; and to determine whether PA and sleep are related to self-regulation problems during the lockdown. Methods: PA, sedentary time and sleep were assessed using accelerometry in the week in which the Spanish national state of alarm was declared (n = 21). Parents reported preschooler’s self-regulation difficulties (internalizing and externalizing) before (n = 268) and during the lockdown (n = 157) by a validated questionnaire. Results: Preschoolers showed a decrease in total PA (mean difference [MD] = −43.3 min per day, 95% CI −68.1 to −18.5), sleep efficiency (MD = −2.09%, 95% CI −4.12 to −0.05), an increase in sedentary time (MD = 50.2 min per day, 95% CI 17.1 to 83.3) internalizing (MD = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.28) and externalizing (MD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.44) problems. Preschoolers who met the World Health Organization recommendations for PA had lower internalizing scores than non-active peers (MD = −1.28, 95% CI −2.53 to −0.03). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of meeting PA recommendations to reduce psychosocial difficulties during a lockdown situation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha F. Sabur ◽  
Mantaj S. Brar ◽  
Lisa Wu ◽  
Sarah K. Brode

Abstract Background The World Health Organization recommends intravenous amikacin for the treatment of MDR-TB at a dose of 15 mg/kg. However, higher doses are associated with significant toxicity. Methods Patients with MDR-TB treated at our institution receive amikacin at 8–10 mg/kg, with dose adjustment based on therapeutic drug monitoring. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with MDR-TB who received amikacin between 2010 and 2016. Results Forty-nine patients were included in the study. The median starting dose of amikacin was 8.9 mg/kg (IQR 8, 10), and target therapeutic drug levels were achieved at a median of 12 days (IQR 5, 26). The median duration of amikacin treatment was 7.2 months (IQR 5.7, 8), and median time to sputum culture conversion was 1 month (IQR 1,2). Six patients (12.2%) experienced hearing loss based on formal audiometry testing (95% CI 4.6–24.8%); 22.2% had subjective hearing loss (95% CI 11.2–37.1%) and 31.9% subjective tinnitus (95% CI 19.1–47.1%). Ten patients (23%) had a significant rise in serum creatinine (95% CI 11.8–38.6%), but only 5 patients had a GFR < 60 at treatment completion. 84% of patients had a successful treatment outcome (95% CI 84–99%). Conclusions Low dose amikacin is associated with relatively low rates of aminoglycoside-related adverse events. We hypothesize that low-dose amikacin can be used as a safe and effective treatment for MDR-TB in situations where an adequate regimen cannot be constructed with Group A and B drugs, and where careful monitoring for adverse events is feasible.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meron Moges Tsegaye ◽  
Garima Chouhan ◽  
Molla Fentie ◽  
Priya Tyagi ◽  
Parma Nand

Background: The recent treatment challenges posed by the widespread emergence of pathogenic Multidrug‐Resistant (MDR) bacterial strains are a cause of huge health troubles worldwide. Infections caused by MDR organisms are associated with longer period of hospitalization, increased mortality, and inflated healthcare costs. Staphylococcus aureus is one of these MDR organisms identified as an urgent threat to human health by the World Health Organization. Infections caused by S. aureus may range from simple cutaneous infestations to life threatening bacteremia. S. aureus infections get easily escalated in severely ill, hospitalized and or immunocompromised patients with incapacitated immune system. Also, in HIV-positive patients S. aureus ranks amongst one of the most common comorbidities where it can further worsen a patient’s health condition. At present anti-staphylococcal therapy is reliant typically on chemotherapeutics that are gathering resistance and pose unfavorable side-effects. Thus, newer drugs are required that can bridge these shortcomings and aid effective control against S. aureus. Objective: In this review, we summarize drug resistance exhibited by S. aureus and lacunae in current anti-staphylococcal therapy, nanoparticles as an alternative therapeutic modality. The focus lays on various green synthesized nanoparticles, their mode of action and application as potent antibacterial compounds against S. aureus. Conclusion: Use of nanoparticles as anti-bacterial drugs has gained momentum in recent past and green synthesized nanoparticles, which involves microorganisms and plants or their byproducts for synthesis of nanoparticles offer a potent, as well as environment friendly solution in warfare against MDR bacte.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 1211-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Cox ◽  
J. Furin

The World Health Organization uses a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation process to make recommendations for treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Even with this standardized approach, there have been discrepancies between recommendations for newer drugs such as bedaquiline and delamanid and the shorter regimen. This may be because newer drugs are novel chemical entities and may merit closer scrutiny. Here, we explore the problematic nature of this supposition, arguing that although the newer drugs have been used in fewer individuals, they may have more robust efficacy and safety data than many of the second-line drugs used in the shorter regimen.


Author(s):  
Chao Wang ◽  
Jing Pan ◽  
Sanni Yaya ◽  
Ram Bilash Yadav ◽  
Dechao Yao

In this study, we aimed to assess the geographic inequalities in access to improved water and sanitation facilities among Nepalese households. We conducted this study based on cross-sectional data obtained from Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys. The quality of water sources and sanitation were defined by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The geographic categories used in the analyses included developmental region, ecological zone, and urbanicity. Percentages of households having access to improved toilet (5.6% in 1996 vs. 40.5% in 2016) and water (19.3% in 1996 vs. 27% in 2016) facilities has been increasing steadily since 1996 with a great proportion of the households still lacking access to these services. The number of households sharing the same toilet and traveling time to reach water sources have also decreased at the same time. Households in Far Western and Mountains had the lowest odds of having access to improved toilet and water facilities. Noticeable progress has been achieved in improving WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) coverage at national level, however, it is uneven across developmental and ecological zones. Households in the Far Western and Mountain regions appeared to be the most geographically disadvantaged in terms of having access to improved water and sanitation facilities.


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