bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tuberculin Test versus Interferon Gamma Release Assay in Pregnant Women with Household Contacts of Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Chalid Maisuri Tadjuddin , Puspawaty Dian , Tahir Andi Mardiah , Najdah Hidayah , Massi Muhammad Nasrum 
Published: December 2022

Background:
Pregnant women who live in tuberculosis (TB)-affected households are more likely to develop latent TB infection (LTBI), which often escapes treatment. This study aims to determine if Interferon-gamma release (IGRA) is reliable in screening for LTBI in pregnant women, compare to the tuberculin skin test (TST).

Methods:
It was a cross-sectional study that involved 60 pregnant women with TB contact history as a proxy for LTBI and 30 pregnant women without contact history

.
Latent TB was detected using the TST 5 tuberculin units and IGRA using the QuantiFERON Gold Plus TB Test kit (QFT-Plus). The sensitivity and specificity of the two diagnostic methods and the agreement between them were estimated using SPSS version 20.0.

Results:
The sensitivity 95% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 86.08%–98.96%) and specificity 26.7% (95% CI: 12.28%–45.89%) of TST were compared to that of the IGRA with 60% (95% CI: 46.54%–72.44%) and 73.3% (95% CI: 54.11%–87.72%) sensitivity and specificity, respectively in detecting LTBI in pregnancy. Although there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between TST and IGRA, the agreement was fair (kappa 0.39; 95% CI: 0.24–0.45).

Conclusion:
TST assay is more sensitive than IGRA; however, the specificity of IGRA was superior to the TST method. In this study, a fair agreement of TST and IGRA was observed for detecting latent TB infection in pregnant women with household contact with TB patients.
Culture Filtrate Protein 32 as a Potential Target to Attenuate the Heterogeneous Antibody Response Against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Antigens in Different Endemic Settings
Authors: Benabdessalem Chaouki , Ouni Rym , Hamouda Wafa Ben , Bettaieb Jihene , Fathallah Dahmani Mohamed , Barbouche Mohamed-Ridha 
Published: December 2022

Background:
We previously reported the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence factor – culture filtrate protein 32 (CFP32). The assay achieved high performance in comparing healthy Bacillus Calmette–Guerin-vaccinated controls with active tuberculosis (TB) patients from the Tunisian population. Herein, we aimed to assess the anti-CFP32 IgG response in suspected or confirmed active pulmonary TB individuals in different endemic settings.

Methods:
Serum samples were obtained from 224 donors from African and Latin American countries with variable levels of TB endemicity and different ethnical origins. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the performance of the serological assay.

Results:
The area under the curve was 0.70. The use of a cutoff level of 0.65 gave 67% and 68% sensitivity and specificity, respectively, regardless of ethnicity and endemicity. Except for the suspected Latin American group, overall multiple comparisons of medians pointed out the stability of the anti-CFP32 IgG response across the different endemic settings. Therefore, endemicity and ethnicity seem not to affect anti-CFP32 IgG response, mainly for detecting confirmed active TB individuals.

Conclusions:
These findings suggest that the inclusion of CFP32 epitopes in multi-antigen TB assay could attenuate serological differences related to heterogeneous endemicity and ethnicity. For this purpose, we further identified B-cell epitopes belonging to CFP32 by an in silico analysis.
Comparative Evaluation of Interleukin-10, Transforming Growth Factor-β, and Interleukin-17 in Gastrointestinal Tuberculosis and Crohn's Disease
Authors: Gupta Anjali , Sharma Kusum , Sharma Vishal , Singh Jagdeep , Nada Ritambhra , Saikia Biman , Minz Ranjana W. , Anand Shashi , Kumar Mahendra 
Published: December 2022

Background:
Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (GITB) and Crohn's disease (CD) are close mimickers and difficult to discriminate. Recent work has focused on the immunological differences between GITB and CD based on cytokines related to T-regulatory cells and Th17 cells. In the present cross-sectional study, suspected cases of GITB or CD underwent extensive clinical, radiological, endoscopic, histological, and microbiological assessment. The diagnosis was based on standard criteria and response to antitubercular therapy endoscopically.

Methods:
Interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and IL-17 were measured and compared between GITB and CD along with other parameters. Fisher's exact test and Mann–Whitney U test were used as per the data type.

Results:
Of the 27 patients, 11 had CD, 9 had GITB, and 7 had other conditions. Chronic diarrhea, involvement of left and long segments of the colon, and aphthous ulcers were significantly more frequent in CD; however, transverse ulcers were in GITB. IL-10 was reduced in both GITB (median-interquartile range [IQR] 9.54 [3.65–24.04]) and CD (median-IQR 13.28 [6.91–22.50]) compared to control (median-IQR 26.72 [10.34–35.43]). TGF-β showed little variation, but IL-17 was below the detection limit in most cases. None of these cytokines were significantly different between CD and GITB. The sensitivity and specificity of multiplex Mycobacterium tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction were 44.44% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion:
Serum cytokine profiling (IL-10, IL-17, and TGF-β) could not significantly differentiate GITB and CD. Moreover, extensive molecular, transcriptomic, chemokines, and cytokine analyses may shed light on these aspects.
Bibliometric Analyses of Applications of Artificial Intelligence on Tuberculosis
Authors: Cabanillas-Lazo Miguel , Quispe-Vicuña Carlos , Pascual-Guevara Milagros , Barja-Ore John , Guerrero Maria Eugenia , Munive-Degregori Arnaldo , Mayta-Tovalino Frank 
Published: December 2022

Background:
Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide affecting mainly low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, the objective is to analyze the bibliometric characteristics of the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in tuberculosis in Scopus.

Methods:
A bibliometric study, the Scopus database was used using a search strategy composed of controlled and free terms regarding tuberculosis and AI. The search fields “TITLE,” “ABSTRACT,” and “AUTHKEY” were used to find the terms. The collected data were analyzed with Scival software. Bibliometric data were described through the figures and tables summarized by absolute values and percentages.

Results:
Thousand and forty-one documents were collected and analyzed. Yudong Zhang was the author with the highest scientific production; however, K. C. Santosh had the greatest impact. Anna University (India) was the institution with the highest number of published papers. Most papers were published in the first quartile. The United States led the scientific production. Articles with international collaboration had the highest impact.

Conclusion:
Articles related to tuberculosis and AI are mostly published in first quartile journals, which would reflect the need and interest worldwide. Although countries with a high incidence of new cases of tuberculosis are among the most productive, those with the highest reported drug resistance need greater support and collaboration.
Risk Factors Associated to Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Patients Attending the Deido District Hospital of Douala – Cameroon
Authors: Cecile Djuikoue I. , S. Alex Ndjip N. , Joëlle Nzenya D. , Cedric Nana S. , Noemy Chounna T. , Irene Wandji G. , Leila Mfongouot P. , Alice Ketchaji , J. Clement Nguedia Assob , D. Benjamin Pokam Thumamo 
Published: December 2022

Background:
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is defined as resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin. In Cameroon, the prevalence is estimated at 150 cases/100,000 inhabitants or 6000 cases out of an estimated population of 3 million.

Objective:
The aim of the present study was to determine the risk factors associated with MDR-TB at Deido District Hospital located in the littoral region of Cameroon.

Methods:
This was a cross-sectional and analytical retrospective study. Our sample included all TB patients undergoing treatment at the Diagnostic and Treatment Center of the hospital from January 2019 to August 2020. Identified risk factors of MDR-TB were analyzed using the SPSS software version 20.0.

Results:
A total of 304 participants were enrolled with a predominance of 185 (60.8%) men. The average age was 35 years (29–43 years). About 122/304 (40%) of the patients suffered from MDR-TB. The significant factors associated with MDR-TB were occupation (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 61.46), monthly income (aOR = 0.11), history of TB (aOR = 5.3), alcohol consumption (aOR = 12.7); self-medication (aOR = 5.4) and consultation of traditional healers for any cure (aOR = 155.84).

Conclusion:
The emergence of MDR-TB associated with several risk factors in the study area is worrisome and can be prevented by improving the living conditions of patients and putting in place appropriate treatment strategies.
Middlebrook 7h11 Reduces Invalid Results and Turnaround Time of Phenotypic Drug-Susceptibility Testing of M. Tuberculosis
Authors: Rupasinghe Praharshinie , Vereecken Jens , Graulus Pieter , Decroo Tom , Ardizzoni Elisa , Hewison Cathy , Donchuk Dimitri , Huerga Helena , Mesic Anita , Rigouts Leen , de Jong Bouke C. 
Published: December 2022

Background:
Phenotypic drug-susceptibility testing (pDST), which relies on growth inhibition in the drug-containing media, remains a challenge for fastidious Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBc) isolates due to insufficient growth on the growth controls (GC). Middlebrook 7H11 (M7H11) medium contains casein hydrolysate, which may favor the growth of such strains.

Method:
In this study, we tested whether M7H11 reduces invalid results due to insufficient growth on the GCs and the turnaround time (TAT) of pDST for MTBc compared to Middlebrook 7H10 (M7H10) without affecting the accuracy of the pDST results and how it differs between rifampicin- and isoniazid-susceptible non multi-drug resistant (non-MDR), MDR and MDR with additional resistance to fluoroquinolones (Pre-XDR) MTBc isolates. We compared the proportions of invalid pDST results due to lack of growth on the GCs, TATs of valid parallel drug-susceptibility testings as an indicator of speed of MTBc growth, and colony-forming unit (CFU) count on the most diluted GC of the parallel pDSTs after equal incubation periods as an indicator of growth abundance on M7H11 and M7H10. We also analyzed the agreement between the pDST results of the same drug or drugs in the same drug class, tested in parallel on both media.

Results:
For MDR and pre-XDR isolates, relative to M7H10, M7H11 significantly reduced the occurrence of invalid pDST results due to insufficient growth on the GCs (odds ratio [OR] = ∞ [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9–∞], P = 0.004 for MDR, OR = ∞ [95% CI 3.3–∞], P = 0.0001 for pre-XDR) and the TAT of pDSTs (OR = 17 [95% CI 2.6–710.4], P = 0.0001 for MDR, OR = 9.3 [95% CI 4.0–26.5], P < 0.0001 for pre-XDR). The growth abundance of MTBc on M7H11 was significantly higher compared to M7H10 (17 CFU on M7H10 vs. 28 on M7H11), irrespective of drug-resistance profiles. The agreement between the pDST results between the two media was high (Cohen's k > 0.98).

Conclusion:
Our study findings suggest that M7H11 is preferred over M7H10 for pDSTs of MTBc isolates.
Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Incidence of Mycobacterial Diseases among Suspected Tuberculosis Pulmonary Patients in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Aghajani Jafar , Farnia Poopak , Farnia Parissa , Ghanavi Jalaledin , Saif Shima , Marjani Majid , Tabarsi Payam , Moniri Afshin , Abtahian Zahra , Hoffner Sven , Velayati Ali Akbar 
Published: December 2022

Background:Recent pandemic of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) caused limitations in the country's strategies to fight against mycobacterial infections. The aim of this study was to compare the suspected tuberculosis (TB) pulmonary patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2018–December 2021) who were referred to the National Reference TB Laboratory (NRL TB), Tehran, Iran. The mycobacterial isolated strains were identified and compared with previous data.Methods:A total of 16,899 clinical samples collected from 7041 suspected pulmonary TB patients were received from 2018 to 2021. Primary isolation ofMycobacteriumisolates was done on Löwenstein–Jensen medium. Then, the DNA was extracted from acid-fast bacillus culture-positive samples and identification was performed by IS6110, Hsp65, and 16S-23S rRNA genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and nested PCR methods.Results:A total of 11679 specimens (69.1%) from 4866 suspected TB patients were collected in 2018–2019 and 5220 specimens (30.8%; from 2175 patients) in 2020–2021. Out of 11679 specimens, 2046 samples that belong to 852 patients were infected withMycobacterium tuberculosis,and the remaining were non-TBMycobacterium(NTM) species (n= 244) isolated from 102 patients. The cultures for 12894 specimens were either negative (76.3%) or contaminated (845/16899; 5%). A comparison of the total number of patients who were referred for diagnosis and treatment (954/666 patients,P> 0.05) showed a 30.1% reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, with these low number of patients, the significant increases of NTM species (P< 0.05) among suspected TB pulmonary patients were observed. Besides, new species of NTM, for example,Mycobacterium peregrinumandMycobacterium montefiorense,were detected. For the past 20 years, these two species were not reported from pulmonary patients in Iran.Conclusions:During the pandemic of COVID-19, the TB diagnosis network became irregular, as a consequence, many patients could not reach the treatment center, and this could increase the circulation of mycobacterial diseases (TB and NTM). The study shows the emergence of new opportunistic NTM species also.
Novel and Rare Species of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria by Hsp-65 Gene Sequencing
Authors: Kadasu Rajashekhar , Teja Vijay Dharma , Angaali Neelima , Rao Patil Madhusudhan Appa , Paramjyothi G. K. , Bhaskar K. 
Published: December 2022

Background:
Nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) is the emerging group of organisms being recognized as etiological agents for diverse clinical conditions such as lymphadenitis, cutaneous, and pulmonary or disseminated lesions. Diverse background patients can acquire these infections such as immunocompetent, immunocompromised patients, or postoperative settings. Rapid addition of newer strains to this group necessitates heightened suspicion in the clinical settings. Specific requirements for cultures, biochemical testing, and molecular methods are needed to diagnose these organisms.

Methods:
The prospective study conducted at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences from January 2019 to December 2021 using various clinical samples using molecular techniques such as line probe assay and hsp-65 gene sequencing to discover new NTM species. The management is challenging since it requires prolonged treatment, multiple drugs, drug resistance, and individualization of treatment in the combination of surgery if needed. In this article, we describe three different NTM species which were not reported in India and highlight to consider these organisms in adequate clinical situation.

Results:

Mycobacterium iranicum is a rare strain with quick growth and scotochromogenic colonies that are orange-colored. Eight distinct strains were discovered in clinical samples from six different countries: Two each from Iran, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. Two of the strains were recovered from cerebrospinal fluid, which is unusual. Mycobacterium species AW6 is an unidentified and unclassified Mycobacterium according to NCBI taxonomy. Mycobacteria malmoense has been linked to lymphadenitis, notably cervical adenitis in children, and pulmonary infection in the majority of cases. Using Line Probe Assay and hsp-65 gene sequencing, novel and uncommon species of NTM were detected from a clinical samples, including sputum and tissue.

Conclusion:
We report three unusual species of NTMs: M. iranicum, M. species-AW6, and M. malmoense for the first time in India. Novel and rare emerging species of NTMs need to be considered in diverse clinical situations for appropriate therapy and good clinical outcomes.
Evaluation of Xpert Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Rifampicin for Tuberculosis Diagnosis in a Reference Laboratory
Authors: Ule Belotti Naiara Ule , Madela Naiady Konno , Tonelli Nardi Susilene Maria , Mariano Daniele Cristina , de Souza Nilza Gomes , Oliveira Rosangela Siqueira , Paro Pedro Heloisa da Silveira 
Published: December 2022

Background:
The Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rifampicin (MTB-RIF) is a technological innovation that presents precision and speed in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). The study aimed to evaluate the performance of Xpert MTB/RIF in the TB diagnosis and compare its results with those of culture, species identification, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST), and rpoB gene sequencing of discordant results in AST, used for the diagnosis of TB in a reference laboratory.

Methods:
Cross-sectional descriptive study of pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples requesting Xpert MTB/RIF and culture for TB diagnosis from 2015 to 2019 at Adolfo Lutz Institute-São Paulo/Brazil. The analysis was performed with Epi-Info 7.2.1, presenting the distribution of frequencies and, for comparative analyses, Pearson's Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used, considering P ≤ 0.05 as statistically significant. For variables agreement, the Kappa method was used.

Results:
A total of 1575 pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples were analyzed using Xpert MTB/RIF and culture, of which 293 were positive for the MTB Complex in both methodologies with a sensitivity of 94.55%; specificity of 95.97%; accuracy 95.69%; positive predictive value 85.53%; negative predictive value 98.59%, substantial agreement by Kappa 0.87, and detection sensitivity even at lower levels of bacillary load (P < 0.05). The Xpert MTB/RIF and AST showed concordant results (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
The study brings forward that the Xpert MTB/RIF shows substantial agreement with the results of culture and AST, contributing to the diagnosis of TB and the rapid detection of resistance. The sequencing of resistant cultures in Xpert MTB/RIF and sensitivity in AST identified the H526N mutation, characterized by a low level of resistance to RIF.
Outcomes of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment in Istanbul
Authors: Güner Abdullah Emre , Kiziltas Sule , Babalik Aylin , Sahin Esra , Sibel Al , Safak Mine , Kiliçaslan Zeki 
Published: December 2022

Background and Aim:
Increasing the extensity of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment which is one of the important parameters of tuberculosis (TB) control and completing the treatment in success are important. The purpose of this study is to evaluate LTBI treatment indications and treatment outcomes of patients who received LTBI treatment in İstanbul between 2016 and 2018.

Methods:
The treatment outcomes of people who started LTBI treatment registered in TB dispensaries in Istanbul between 2016 and 2018 were analyzed retrospectively according to the variables of the age groups, gender, dispensary subgroups, and prevention treatment indications. Data collected from the health institutions were evaluated.

Results:
26.920 patients received LTBI treatment in all Istanbul TB dispensaries between 2016 and 2018. The evaluation of LTBI treatment indications; contact 15.696, Tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity 2224, immunosuppression 8746, TST conversion 58, sequelae lesion 15, and other indications are identified as 181. The groups which diagnosed with TB disease, mortality, transfer, other, and still in treatment are excluded from the analysis of LTBI treatment outcomes. A total of 25.253 patients were analyzed. 65 percent of the patients had completed LTBI treatment. Variables effective for treatment outcomes are analyzed with logistic regression. Treatment discontinuation was statistically significantly lower in 2017 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.906 confidence interval [CI] [95%] [0.849–0.968]) and 2018 (OR: 0.635 CI [95%] [0.594–0.679]) compared to 2016. Treatment lost to follow-up was statistically significantly lower in those receiving LTBI treatment with the indication of tuberculin skin test positivity (OR: 0.541 CI [95%] [0.487–0.600]) and the indication of immunosuppression (OR: 0.284 CI [95%] [0.142–0.569]) compared to those who received LTBI treatment due to contact. When the treatment results are evaluated according to the TB incidence of the region where the dispensaries are located, treatment lost to follow-up was higher in 101–200 per 100,000 incidence group (OR: 1.201 CI [95%] [1.123–1.285]) and incidence of 201–370 per 100,000 (OR: 1.461 CI [95%] [1.358–1.572]). Treatment lost to follow-up was higher in dispensaries on the European side (OR: 1.293 CI [95%] [1.203–1389]) and the 0–35 age group (OR: 1.248 CI [95%] [1.168–1.333]).

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the treatment completion rate should be improved for an effective LTBI treatment which is one of the important parameters of targeted TB elimination. Particularly people under the age of 35 years and regions with high-TB incidence should receive special care and close follow-up.
What is the Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in Thalassemic Patients in Guilan? A Retrospective Analytic Study
Authors: Fakhr-Moosavi Seyyed Aboozar , Salari Arsalan , Borghei Yasaman , Hasandokht Tolou , Haghdoost Afrooz , Mousavi Seyed Mehdi , Ramezani Sajad 
Published: December 2022

Introduction:
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is quite common among patients with thalassemia, and it can lead to cardiac failure and even death in those patients.

Methods:
This current cross-sectional study was conducted with 155 patients with β-thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia referring to Razi Hospital Rasht, Iran in a recent year. All patients underwent echocardiography and the data (including age, sex, thalassemia type, splenectomy history, deferoxamine usage, hydroxyurea usage, hemoglobin, and ferritin level) were collected by a researcher-made checklist. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software.

Results:
The prevalence of PH was 13.7% in this study. There was a correlation between sex, thalassemia type, deferoxamine usage, and ferritin level with a prevalence of PH. However, there was not a significant relationship between splenectomy history, hydroxyurea usage, and hemoglobin level with PH prevalence (P = 0.187, P = 0.035, and P = 0.178, respectively).

Conclusions:
The findings of the study represented that the proposed variables can cause and exacerbate cardiac complications and may have a correlation with the disease's side effects. By conducting more studies and designing a more promising interventional study with a higher sample size, using the results of this study and similar studies, a step could be taken to identify patients susceptible to exacerbation of cardiac complications earlier. By treating them, we may be able to increase their chance of survival in the long run.