scholarly journals Childhood tuberculosis: Characteristics and peculiarities

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-200
Author(s):  
M.G. Mustapha ◽  
G.M. Ashir ◽  
A.I. Rabasa ◽  
A.G. Farouk ◽  
H.A. Elechi ◽  
...  

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important infectious disease of public health concern. The effects of TB on children in terms of morbidity and mortality is  more than that of adults. These may not be unconnected with the differences in characteristics and peculiarities of the disease in children. Tuberculosis in children is usually primary, paucibacillary, characterized by difficulties in diagnosis of both drug susceptible and resistant TB associated with poor uptake of preventive therapy for those with latent infection, contacts and people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in most  developing countries.While significant similarities exist between spectrum of TB occurring in adults and children, the characteristics and peculiarities of childhood TB may be unknown to policy makers and some clinicians, hence giving it less focus in control measures. The aim of this review is to highlight some of the characteristics and peculiarities of TB in children using PubMed/PubMed Central (PMC) and MEDLINE databases searched for relevant search strings from December, 2018 to September, 2019. Appropriate hard copies of books and journal articles were also  included. Conclusion: While the management of TB in children is characterized by difficulties due to both peculiarities of children and the disease;  with detailed clinical assessment and examination of necessary specimen in addition to strict adherence to the guidelines of the national TB control  program, more cases of TB in children can be prevented, diagnosed, treated and reported. 

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosinah Gabaitse

In this paper I seek to interrogate how the theology of some Pentecostal churches, especially the theology that God heals HIV and AIDS, interacts with the situation of cross-border migrants in Botswana. I also seek to discuss the Botswana HIV policy which denies HIV-positive cross-border migrants access to Anti-Retroviral treatment (henceforth ARVs) which has proven to prolong and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV. Conflict exists between Botswana HIV policy on strict adherence to ARVs and some Pentecostal churches’ insistence that members of their churches living with HIV are healed by God, and therefore they should not take ARVs. While the Pentecostal Church is a ‘home away from home’ for migrants, their theology is in constant conflict and clashes with Botswana HIV health policy, even if the reality is that the same policy denies migrants access to HIV services. It is ironic that both the HIV policy and the Pentecostal theology are in pursuit of preserving life; yet, they both deny cross-border migrants that very life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill K. Gersh ◽  
Ruanne V. Barnabas ◽  
Daniel Matemo ◽  
John Kinuthia ◽  
Zachary Feldman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background People living with HIV (PLHIV) who reside in high tuberculosis burden settings remain at risk for tuberculosis disease despite treatment with anti-retroviral therapy and isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT). The performance of the World Health Organization (WHO) symptom screen for tuberculosis in PLHIV receiving anti-retroviral therapy is sub-optimal and alternative screening strategies are needed. Methods We enrolled HIV-positive adults into a prospective study in western Kenya. Individuals who were IPT-naïve or had completed IPT > 6 months prior to enrollment were eligible. We evaluated tuberculosis prevalence overall and by IPT status. We assessed the accuracy of the WHO symptom screen, GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert), and candidate biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio for identifying pulmonary tuberculosis. Some participants were evaluated at 6 months post-enrollment for tuberculosis. Results The study included 383 PLHIV, of whom > 99% were on antiretrovirals and 88% had received IPT, completed a median of 1.1 years (IQR 0.8–1.55) prior to enrollment. The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis at enrollment was 1.3% (n = 5, 95% CI 0.4–3.0%): 4.3% (0.5–14.5%) among IPT-naïve and 0.9% (0.2–2.6%) among IPT-treated participants. The sensitivity of the WHO symptom screen was 0% (0–52%) and specificity 87% (83–90%). Xpert and candidate biomarkers had poor to moderate sensitivity; the most accurate biomarker was CRP ≥ 3.3 mg/L (sensitivity 80% (28–100) and specificity 72% (67–77)). Six months after enrollment, the incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis following IPT completion was 0.84 per 100 person-years (95% CI, 0.31–2.23). Conclusions In Kenyan PLHIV treated with IPT, tuberculosis prevalence was low at a median of 1.4 years after IPT completion. WHO symptoms screening, Xpert, and candidate biomarkers were insensitive for identifying pulmonary tuberculosis in antiretroviral-treated PLHIV.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Louie ◽  
Nopporn Pathanapornpandh ◽  
Unchalee Pultajuk ◽  
Robert Kaplan ◽  
Ian Hodgson ◽  
...  

Acupuncture in combination with antiretroviral therapies is a potentially useful treatment for HIV-related symptom relief in resource-poor settings. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of being used to enhance immune function. In the setting of HIV, Chinese traditional medicine allows for symptom treatment without adding extra medications to a complex drug regime. This paper provides details of a project at Mae On Hospital in rural northern Thailand where allopathic/conventional treatments are used in tandem with acupuncture. A preliminary evaluation of the project suggests that an integrated approach to symptom relief is viewed positively by respondents receiving acupuncture, though further studies are required to confirm the association between acupuncture and symptom relief. The project also demonstrates the feasibility of developing a cost-effective acupuncture programme using local healthcare staff.


HIV ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 103-106
Author(s):  
David E. Barker

Herpes Zoster is a distressingly common occurrence in people living with HIV and AIDS. But what happens when a patient has multiple recurrences and stops responding to therapeutic and suppressive acyclovir analogs. What clues should lead to a reconsideration of the diagnosis and treatment.


AIDS Care ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Cropsey ◽  
Madelyne C. Bean ◽  
Louise Haynes ◽  
Matthew J. Carpenter ◽  
Lauren E. Richey

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