The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Apr 2014
Review Meta AnalysisValue of procalcitonin in differentiating pulmonary tuberculosis from other pulmonary infections: a meta-analysis.
To systematically and quantitatively summarise the current evidence on the utility of the procalcitonin test (PCT) in discriminating pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) from other pulmonary infections. ⋯ The results suggest consistently acceptable sensitivity and specificity of the PCT test in distinguishing TB from bacterial pneumonia. However, given the imperfect sensitivity and specificity of the test, medical decisions should be based on both the PCT test results as well as on clinical findings.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Apr 2014
Preventing tuberculosis in the foreign-born population of Canada: a mathematical modelling study.
Foreign-born persons in Canada contribute 67% of all tuberculosis (TB) cases annually, but represent only 21% of the total population. Molecular epidemiological studies suggest that most foreign-born TB cases result from the reactivation of latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) acquired before immigration. ⋯ This study suggests that screening and treating LTBI in foreign-born persons from high TB incidence countries is the most effective strategy in terms of total persons screened and treated and percentage reduction in national incidence.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Jan 2014
Divergent socio-economic gradients in smoking by type of tobacco use in India.
We describe the relationship between socio-economic status and current bidi or cigarette smoking among Indian men aged ≥15 years. The prevalence of bidi smoking was 13.7% (95%CI 13.3-14.1) and that of cigarette smoking was 6.3% (95%CI 6.1-6.6). bidi smoking was concentrated among the socio-economically disadvantaged, while cigarette smoking was common among men with higher status occupations and greater levels of education and household wealth. This suggests that India has not transitioned to the later stages of the tobacco epidemic, and underscores the need for prevention and control strategies adapted to current patterns of consumption across socio-economic groups in India.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Dec 2013
Observational StudyIsoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide plasma concentrations 2 and 6 h post dose in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Low concentrations of anti-tuberculosis drugs are related to drug resistance and treatment failure. ⋯ The results indicate that RMP concentrations are below the reference range in most patients, while PZA is within the target range of the standard doses.