MDR-TB Treatment & Prevention
Fwd: [tb-update] Week of May 29 to June 4, 2011
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Subject: [tb-update] Week of May 29 to June 4, 2011
TB-Related News and Journal Items Weekly Update Week of May 29 to June 4,
2011
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CDC provides the TB-Related News and Journal Items Weekly Update as a
public service only. This update is a compilation of TB-related articles
published for the benefit and information of people interested in TB, and we
do not confirm the accuracy of the data in the articles that are abstracted.
Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on TB
does not constitute CDC endorsement. This update may also include
information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press
releases, and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged;
however, copies may not be sold. For those items reproduced from the first
section of the TB weekly update, the CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention
News Update should be cited. For any other items in the TB weekly update,
you may cite the CDC TB-Related News and Journal Items Weekly Update.
This Week's Contents
TB-Related Announcements <#130564debd8c8dbe_H1>
News Item(s) From the CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News
Update<#130564debd8c8dbe_H2>
Headlines <#130564debd8c8dbe_H3>
Journal Articles <#130564debd8c8dbe_H4>
Job Announcements <#130564debd8c8dbe_H5>
Upcoming Conferences, Trainings, and Other Events <#130564debd8c8dbe_H6>
TB-Related Announcements
*1. TB Education and Training Network Project Excellence and TB Educator of
the Year Awards - Request for Nominations *
Nomination deadline: July 15, 2011
The TB Education and Training Network (TB ETN) is currently accepting
nominations for two awards:
- Project Excellence Award
- TB Educator of the Year Award
These two awards have been established to recognize excellence in TB health
education and training by TB ETN members around the world. The awards will
be presented during the annual TB ETN conference (September 20-22, 2011) in
Atlanta, GA.
To be considered for recognition, a completed nomination form, along with
supporting documentation, must be received by TB ETN no later than July 15,
2011. A person may self-nominate or be nominated by someone else.
Submissions will be reviewed by the TB ETN Membership Development Workgroup
and the TB ETN Steering Committee.
For more information regarding award criteria and nomination requirements,
please contact Sarah Segerlind by e-mail at ; by
telephone at (404) 639-8338; or access the TB ETN website:
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/education/tbetn/conference.htm .
*2. Stop TB Partnership and WHO issue call for applications for membership
in the Green Light Committee, Western Pacific Region *
Stop TB Partnership, May 20, 2011
In response to the need to scale up programmatic management of
drug-resistant TB in the WHO Western Pacific Region, and following the
decision of the Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board at its most recent
meeting, the Green Light Committee (GLC) is establishing a GLC Western
Pacific. This regional GLC will function as an advisory committee to the WHO
Regional Office for the Western Pacific, WHO’s Member States in the Pacific
region, donors, and partners. The Secretariat of the GLC Western Pacific
will be hosted by the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific.
Members of the GLC Western Pacific are expected to serve a term of two
years, from July 2011 to June 2013. Members will be selected by a committee
convened by the Stop TB Partnership and WHO based on consensus and an
equitable distribution of experts across technical areas and constituencies.
Experts from the Western Pacific region or with extensive experience in the
region are strongly encouraged to apply.
Click here [.pdf]<http://www.stoptb.org/assets/documents/news/GLC%20Pacific%20Call.pdf>for
more information and application instructions.
*3. CDC TBESC Recompetition *
The Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 2011-N-13311 to obtain research support
for the Tuberculosis Epidemiology Research Consortium (TBESC) is posted on
the Federal Business Opportunity
Website<https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=edc4972828387c1548b0fe65818fa00b&tab=core&_cview=1>
.
This RFP will result in two awards:
(1) An award of a basic contract to all applicants selected to be members of
the TBESC; and,
(2) An award of Task Order (TO) #1, the main research study to be conducted
under the basic contract.
In Section B2 of the RFP, it states that this solicitation requires the
submission of two proposals:
Proposal 1
The first proposal is for the basic contract (RFP Proposal
Form<https://www.fbo.gov/download/b79/b79e2f17d21f4e4d53c691a96ceada36/2011-N-13311_-_RFP_-_TBESC.pdf>(2011-N-13311
- RFP - TBESC)). This proposal will address the offeror’s
qualifications for TBESC membership and ability to perform all research
studies to be conducted by the TBESC under this contract.
Section C of the RFP contains a description of the work statement, including
the Project Background (Section C1), the Statement of Work (SOW) (Section
C3) and the Technical Requirements (Section C4) for the first proposal.
Detailed instructions for the preparation and submission of the first
proposal are found in Section L9. Section M5 describes the criteria for
evaluation of this proposal. A “Business Proposal” containing cost
information is not required for this proposal.
Proposal 2
The second proposal is for task order (TO) # 1 (Statement of Work Task Order
# 1<https://www.fbo.gov/download/034/034b05a2177dbe9e2f1218d6b4d87fb4/TBESC_Cover_Letter_&_SOW_TO_1.pdf>).
This proposal will address the offeror’s ability to participate in the main
study to be conducted by the TBESC. The purpose of this study is to compare
the performance of tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release
assays (IGRAs) in diagnosing latent TB infection (LTBI), and in predicting
progression from LTBI to TB disease.
This proposal must include two parts: a “Technical Proposal” and a “Business
Proposal”. A detailed description of this proposal, including Instructions
to Offerors, Evaluation Criteria, and the SOW under this contract is found
in Attachment J6.
As indicated in Amendment #0001 to the above mentioned RFP, your proposal must
be received at the location specified in Section L.9 by 4:00 p.m. EST on June
17, 2011.
Please note that any proposal received after 4:00 p.m. EST on June 17, 2011
will be considered late and will not be evaluated, in accordance with FAR
52.215-1(c)(3)(ii). Submission of proposals via e-mail and/or facsimile is
NOT authorized for this RFP.
It is your responsibility to check the website indicated above regularly to
learn about any updates/amendments that could be issued to this RFP prior to
the proposal due date.
Information regarding the TBESC recompetition has been posted on the TBESC
website: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/research/TBESC/rfp.htm.
*4. Call to Action on Childhood TB *
Stop TB Partnership/World Health Organization
The Stop TB Partnership encourages you to sign the Call to Action on
Childhood TB. The call was an outcome of an international meeting organized
jointly by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and
the Stop TB Partnership's Childhood TB Subgroup in March.
The meeting was attended by a wide range of participants, including
researchers, pediatricians, community representatives, civil society
organizations, and ECDC and WHO staff. The objectives of the meeting were
to:
- identify and highlight the gaps, challenges, and needs in childhood TB
control.
- prepare the scientific rationale for the need for advocacy and to identify
the key areas where more advocacy and targeted engagement with stakeholders
are needed.
- reach a consensus on how to advocate for childhood TB control.
There was strong consensus among participants on the urgent need to make the
voice of children heard through concerted advocacy efforts. A detailed
program of the meeting, with all presentations, can be found at the ECDC
website<http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/press/events/Lists/Events/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=43564830%2D6b8a%2D442f%2D84e7%2D2495fa49489b&ID=125&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Fpress%2Fevents%2FLists%2FEvents>
The Call to Action <http://www.stoptb.org/getinvolved/ctb_cta.asp> is now
available on the Stop TB Partnership website. Click here to
sign<http://www.stoptb.org/getinvolved/cta_signup.asp>
.
*5. Stop TB Partnership and the World Health Organization Are Announcing a
Call for Applications for Members to Serve on the Global GLC
Committee *
Stop TB Partnership, April 20, 2011
A Global GLC Committee (the "gGLC") is being established that will be (1) a
sub-group of the MDR-TB Working Group of the Stop TB Partnership, and (2) an
advisory committee to WHO, with a dual role of advising WHO and partners.
The Stop TB Partnership and WHO are announcing a call for applications for
members to serve on the gGLC in 2011-2013.
Applicants are being sought to serve on the gGLC for the term July 2011 -
June 2013.
Click here<http://www.stoptb.org/assets/documents/news/announcements/Final%20gGLC%202011%20call%20for%20applications%20150411.pdf>to
read the call for applications and instructions on how to apply.
* *
*6. Microbiology Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee;
Notice of Meeting *
Federal Register, Vol. 76, No. 51, Wednesday, March 16, 2011, Notices, pp.
14414-14415
This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of a public advisory committee
of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The meeting will be open to the
public.
Name of Committee: Microbiology Devices Panel of the Medical Devices
Committee.
General Function of the Committee: To provide advice and recommendations to
the Agency on FDA’s regulatory issues.
Date and Time: The meeting will be held on June 29, 2011, from 8 a.m. to
6:00 p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn, Ballroom, 2 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg,
MD
Contact Person: Shanika Craig, Center for Devices and Radiological Health,
Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg.66, rm. 1613,
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002. Call 301-796-6639, or call the FDA Advisory
Committee Information Line at 1-800-741-8138. (*301 443-0572 in the
Washington, DC area), and follow the prompts to the desired center or
product area. Please call the Information Line for up-to-date information on
this meeting. A notice in the Federal Register about last minute
modifications that impact a previously announced advisory committee meeting
cannot always be published quickly enough to provide timely notice.
Therefore, you should always check the Agency’s Web site and call the
appropriate advisory committee hot line/phone line to learn about possible
modifications before coming to the meeting.
Agenda: On June 29, 2011, the committee will discuss and make
recommendations regarding the possible reclassification of molecular
diagnostics for the rapid detection of *Mycobacterium* *tuberculosis* (*M.
tuberculosis*) complex and the detection of genetic mutations, which confer
antibiotic resistance in *M. tuberculosis* complex. Discussion would
include the appropriate information and acceptable performance
characteristics that would be required to assess the safety and
effectiveness of rapid diagnostic tests for *M. tuberculosis* complex, and
whether these can be sufficiently specified to support possible
reclassification.
FDA intends to make background material available to the public no later
than 2 business days before the meeting. If FDA is unable to post the
background material on its Web site prior to the meeting, the background
material will be made publicly available at the location of the advisory
committee meeting, and the background material will be posted on FDA’s Web
site after the meeting. Background material is available at
http://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/Calendar/default.htm.
Scroll down to the appropriate advisory committee link.
For full information on this Notice, including the Meeting Agenda, see
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-03-16/pdf/2011-6081.pdf
News Item(s) From the CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update
*1. County Cuts TB Screening to Minimum in State Law *
Columbus Dispatch, May 25, 2011, by Elizabeth Gibson
Franklin County (Ohio) commissioners, responding to expected shortfalls in
state allocations to local jurisdictions, reduced funding for TB screening -
from $2.2 million last year to $1.8 million this year. Because the cut came
midway through the calendar year, the program’s $1.2 million in the year’s
first half will be cut to $600,000 for the rest of the year. Franklin County
pays for TB screenings as required by state law, with services provided by
Columbus Public Health. The county reports more TB cases than any other in
Ohio: it accounted for 66 of the state’s 190 active cases last year, state
Department of Health data show. The county also had 580 latent TB infections
in 2010. Treatment will remain unaffected by the cut, and people suspected
of TB exposure will continue to be screened, along with others as mandated
by state law, said Dr. Teresa C. Long, Columbus’ health commissioner.
However, programs to screen at-risk populations will end, health officials
said. “It should be a mandate, but it should be paid for” by Ohio, said
Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks. “It’s not a frill. We’re talking
about infectious disease.” With less screening, some cases will not be
discovered until they are symptomatic, Long said. “The longer before someone
is diagnosed, the more the community is exposed,” she said.
*2. Kane Still Battling Tuberculosis Outbreak *
Chicago Daily Herald, May 25, 2011, by James Fuller
Kane County (Illinois) is still actively fighting a TB outbreak that began
in 2009 among homeless people, according to a report presented May 24 to the
county board’s Public Health Committee. The outbreak was facilitated by the
packed sleeping quarters and inadequate ventilation at Aurora’s Hesed House,
the largest shelter in Illinois outside of Chicago. The first
shelter-related case was discovered in April of 2009, and about 760 people
were potentially exposed to the disease. Since then, the county has
diagnosed 23 people with active TB disease, and 146 with latent TB
infection. Kane County has housed people being treated for active TB disease
at an undisclosed older hotel. “The good news on that is, when we look at
patterns of people moving between shelters in Kane County, there has been
very little migration,” said Ryan Dowd, executive director of Hesed House.
The shelter is planning a $300,000 upgrade to its ventilation system, asking
the county to pitch in $100,000 from riverboat gambling revenue. An
Aurora-based grant would help with the rest. The county is paying about
$65,000 in room and board for the persons with active TB disease. Only three
persons remain, including one recent patient. “The TB outbreak has been a
real pain in the you-know-what,” Dowd said. “But it could have been a lot
worse if we had a lesser health department.”
Headlines
*1. Former Ramsey County Inmate with TB Sues (Minnesota)*
Star Tribune, www.startribune.com, May 25, 2011
A former inmate of the Ramsey County Workhouse has sued the county for
deliberate indifference as he wasted away from TB while incarcerated. He
claims the county violated his Eighth Amendment right against cruel and
unusual punishment by failing to recognize and treat him for TB; the medical
staff did nothing to help him when he lost 44 pounds and shuffled weakly
through the halls; and the county had constitutionally deficient protocols
and procedures for health care. According to the plaintiff’s attorney, he is
unable to work and has at least $700,000 in medical bills. The plaintiff had
TB when he was sent to the workhouse, and it was transmitted to others
causing an outbreak that cost the county millions in the settlement of a
class-action lawsuit by those inmates who were infected. At least 100
inmates tested positive for active or latent TB. Minnesota law requires that
inmates be screened for TB within the first 14 days of detention, but the
county argues that the Constitution does not require the government to treat
TB. The plaintiff was taken to a hospital after a corrections officer
aggressively complained that he saw death in his eyes. When the patient was
checked in the hospital, he was told that he had no more than 48 hours to
live. The judge has set August 3 as the date for a settlement conference and
September 1 for trial.
*2. Dr. Mwinga Becomes First African to Get PEPFAR Award (Zambia)*
The Post Newspapers Zambia, www.postzambia.com, May 29, 2011, by Masuzyo
Chakwe
Dr. Alwyn Mwinga of Zambia is the first African to receive the US
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) lifetime achievement
award. The award is given annually by the Office of the Global AIDS
Coordinator in Washington, DC, to an individual selected from countries
where PEPFAR activities are implemented. It also recognizes the recipient’s
dedication to genuine multisectoral partnerships, outstanding leadership,
innovation in HIV and AIDS programs, and commitment to PEPFAR’s mission and
goals. Dr. Mwinga is the associate editor of the *International Journal of
Tuberculosis and Lung Disease* and is a member of the international advisory
board of the *Lancet*. She also received the Global Health Achievement award
from CDC in 2007.
*3. Kanyama Clinic Attends to 10,000 Suspected TB Cases Every Year (Zambia)*
The Post Online, www.postzambia.com, May 30, 2011, by Masuzyo Chakwe
According to Dr. Peter Mwaba, Permanent Secretary in the Zambia Ministry of
Health, Kanyama Clinic treats about 10,000 people with suspected TB
annually. He noted that the clinic was the flagship site for the
Zambia-South Africa TB and AIDS Reduction (ZAMSTAR) study. Dr. Mwaba was
speaking on the occasion of the transfer of ZAMSTAR study equipment to the
Ministry of Health. The ZAMSTAR study was a seven-year, $25 million study
that tested interventions to limit the spread of TB and HIV at the community
level. The study was conducted in 16 sites in the country, and the
equipment used in the study will remain at those sites to help with the
existing TB/HIV work there. The ZAMSTAR study ended in December 2010; the
results will be available later in 2011.
*4. Emory University Hospital Tuberculosis Warning Issued for 680 Patients
(Atlanta, GA)*
About Lawsuits.com, www.aboutlawsuits.com, May 31, 2011
Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, has notified about 680
patients who were treated at the hospital between November 2010 and April
2011 and 100 employees that they may have been exposed to TB. The patients
and employees came into contact with a hospital employee who was diagnosed
with active TB disease in April. An open letter was sent to all patients and
visitors, and the employees have been contacted and provided screening
instructions. Local county health departments will provide free follow-up
exams. Individuals who suspect they may have been exposed are advised to
contact their doctor or local health department for testing. Dr. William
Bornstein, Emory Hospital’s Chief Quality Officer, noted that the strain of
TB is a common strain that responds to all standard treatments.
*5. TB Vaccines: Getting Them Out of the Lab (France)*
AlertNet, www.trust.org/alertnet/news, May 31, 2011, by Mico Tatalovic
International experts met recently in France to discuss advances in vaccine
research. According to Joris Vandeputte, Senior Vice President of Advocacy
and Resource Mobilization at the TB Vaccine Initiative (TBVI), there is
adequate funding for basic research. As a result, there are approximately 40
candidate vaccines waiting to be tested, with 11 in trials and 30 still in
laboratories, but funding to get the vaccines through trials is missing. The
lack of funding for getting vaccines to clinical trials has resulted in a
stopgap in vaccine development. Under a new funding model launched by TBVI,
the European Union will provide loans to fill the gaps, possibly through the
European Investment Bank. The loans will be administered by the TBVI and
repaid when the vaccines begin to make money. The model considers the
logistical difficulties facing researchers by calculating costs needed to
work on these issues, including the bottleneck caused by the inability to
take the vaccines to clinical trials. Vandeputte suggested more clinical
trials in countries such as China, India, and Russia to overcome the
bottleneck. In addition to funding, other problems were considered such as
the reluctance of some developing countries to accept new TB vaccines.
Michel Greco, Chair of the Working Group on New TB Vaccines at the Stop TB
Partnership, commented that some countries are wary of potential problems,
so they go slowly. He acknowledged the need for studies to address uptake
issues and pave the way for future deployment of TB vaccines, but emphasized
that the priority should be designing and testing vaccines rather than
worrying about uptake. Helen McShane, TB vaccine researcher at the
University of Oxford, remarked that if a vaccine is very effective and
affordable for developing areas, it will be used, and she agreed that the
focus should be on getting a vaccine that works.
*6. HAAD Enforces New Standards to Combat TB (United Arab Emirates)*
Khaleej Times, www.khaleejtimes.com, May 28, 2011,
The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has instituted new standards to
fight TB and ensure that TB patients complete treatment using DOT. DOT was
introduced at a training workshop to update health care providers about
advances in TB diagnosis and management. According to Dr. Farida Al Hosani,
head of communicable diseases at HAAD, the new system would enhance
reporting and management of cases, improve follow-up of TB patients, and
ensure adherence. The workshop was also meant to improve the knowledge of
health care workers and health professionals regarding case detection,
management, and follow-up to increase the cure rate and reduce transmission.
Statistics showed that there were 450 cases of pulmonary TB and 175 cases of
extrapulmonary TB recorded in the emirate in 2010.
*7. Over 10,500 Cases of Tuberculosis Reported in One Month (Pakistan)*
The Express Tribune, http://tribune.com.pk, May 26, 2011
State-run health care facilities in 35 districts of Pakistan reported 10,831
new TB patients in February 2011. The number of confirmed cases is double
the 4,910 cases reported in January in 37 districts. Monitors from Free and
Fair Election Network (FAFEN) collected the data from district health
offices in 64 districts for February 2011 The government is seriously
concerned about this number, particularly in the Punjab province that
accounted for 86 percent of the cases in 18 districts.
Journal Articles
*1.* Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin. 2010 Aug; Volume 36,
Number 2: 57-60. *Study on Association of Cutaneous Tuberculosis with
Pulmonary Tuberculosis;* Mahmud, T.A., Paul, H.K., Zakaria, A.S., Rahman,
M.A., et al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21473202>
TB continues to be a health problem in many countries. There may be
simultaneous multiple organ involvement. Diagnosis of one organ disease may
lead to missing off diagnosis of other organ involvement. This study
analyzed the association of cutaneous TB with pulmonary TB. : Through
purposive sampling a total of 23 patients of suspected cutaneous TB were
primarily enrolled in this cross sectional study. History was taken and
examinations were done to find out types of cutaneous lesions and to explore
a pulmonary involvement. Investigations including CBC with ESR, Mantoux test
and skin biopsy were done for each and every patient. Those who had
cutaneous TB on histopathology chest X-ray were done to detect pulmonary
lesions. After investigations, 2 patients were excluded due to absence of
tubercular infection. Finally 21 patients were included in this study. Data
were collected in a predesigned structured questionnaire. Out of 21
patients, 16 (76.19%) were male and 5 (23.81%) were female with a male to
female ratio of 3.2:1. Age range varied from 5-70 years with a mean of 29.76
+/- 1 8.2 years. MT was positive in 76.20% of patients. CXR showed 23.81% of
the patients with cutaneous TB had simultaneous pulmonary involvement. The
association is statistically significant (p < 0.05). Patients with cutaneous
TB may have pulmonary involvement in a statistically significant number. In
any patient with cutaneous TB, meticulous systemic examinations and relevant
investigations have to be done to explore pulmonary involvement.
*2.* British Journal Biomedical Science. 2011; Volume 68, Number 1:
23-8. *Improved
Differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates in the North of
England Using Additional Variable Number Tandem Repeat Loci;* Gaukrodger,
N., Thompson, D., Sarginson, S.J., Magee, J.G., et al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21473258>
Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat
(MIRU-VNTR) genotyping of over 3,300 *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* isolates
from the north of England has identified large clusters of strains which
share common profiles. However, many apparent clusters identified when typed
using the existing 15 loci lack clear epidemiological links. This study
determined whether or not six additional VNTR loci can increase the
discriminatory power of the existing MIRU-VNTR 15-loci technique. Two
hundred and six *M. tuberculosis* isolates were genotyped, including 57
isolates from 20 epidemiologically linked clusters and 149 from unlinked
patients belonging to six large MIRU-VNTR-defined clusters. The
discriminatory power of the six additional loci was high (Hunter Gaston
Discriminatory Index [HGDI]: 0.952). Five of the six loci were highly
discriminative (h > 0.6); however, locus 2401 was less discriminative (h =
0.5). The additional VNTR loci were able to subtype all six unlinked common
MIRU-VNTR clusters into 56 subclusters, significantly differentiating
unrelated strains in a set previously incorrectly clustered using 15
MIRU-VNTR loci. The largest cluster size was 14 (9.3%) when typed using the
six additional VNTR loci, compared to 30 (20%) when typed using the original
15 MIRU-VNTR loci. The same loci were also found to be stable as a result of
their inability to subdivide any of the epidemiologically linked clusters.
This study has demonstrated that expanding the MIRU-VNTR panel beyond the 15
previously used loci significantly increased the discriminatory power of the
technique and thus has provided a valuable tool in the epidemiological
monitoring of this disease.
*3.* Clinical & Developmental Immunology. 2011; Volume 2011: 617892. Epub
2011 Feb 27. *Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy against Murine
Tuberculosis of a Prime-Boost Regimen with BCG and a DNA Vaccine Expressing
ESAT-6 and Ag85A Fusion Protein;* Lu, J., Wang, C., Zhou, Z., Zhang, Y., et
al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21461375>
Heterologous prime-boost regimens utilizing BCG as a prime vaccine probably
represent the best hope for the development of novel TB vaccines. In this
study, the researchers examined the immunogenicity and protective efficacy
of DNA vaccine (pcD685A) expressing the fusion protein of Ag85A and ESAT-6
(r685A) and its booster effects in BCG-immunized mice. The recombinant r685A
fusion protein stimulated higher level of antigen-specific IFN-γ release in
tuberculin skin test- (TST-) positive healthy household contacts of active
pulmonary TB patients than that in TST-negative population. Vaccination of
C57BL/6 mice with pcD685A resulted in significant protection against
challenge with virulent *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* H37Rv when compared
with the control group. Most importantly, pcD685A could act as a BCG booster
and amplify Th1-type cell-mediated immunity in the lung of BCG-vaccinated
mice as shown the increased expression of IFN-γ. The most significant
reduction in bacterial load of both spleen and lung was obtained in mice
vaccinated with BCG prime and pcD685A DNA booster when compared with BCG or
pcD685A alone. Thus, the study indicated that pcD685A may be an efficient
booster vaccine against TB with a strong ability to enhance prior BCG
immunity.
* *
*4.* Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2011 Apr; Volume 24, Number 2:
314-50. *Laboratory
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Resource-Poor Countries: Challenges and
Opportunities;* Parsons, L.M., Somoskövi, A., Gutierrez, C., Lee, E., et al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21482728>
With an estimated 9.4 million new cases globally, TB continues to be a major
public health concern. Eighty percent of all cases worldwide occur in the 22
WHO list of tuberculosis high-burden nations that are mainly resource-poor
settings. This devastating impact of TB on vulnerable populations is also
driven by its deadly synergy with HIV. Therefore, building capacity and
enhancing universal access to rapid and accurate laboratory diagnostics are
necessary to control TB and HIV-TB coinfections in resource-limited
countries. The present review describes several new and established methods
as well as the issues and challenges associated with implementing quality TB
laboratory services in such countries. Recently, the WHO has endorsed some
of these novel methods, and they have been made available at discounted
prices for procurement by the public health sector of high-burden countries.
In addition, international and national laboratory partners and donors are
currently evaluating other new diagnostics that will allow further and more
rapid testing in point-of-care settings. While some techniques are simple,
others have complex requirements, and therefore, it is important to
carefully determine how to link these new tests and incorporate them within
a country's national diagnostic algorithm. Finally, the successful
implementation of these methods is dependent on key partnerships in the
international laboratory community and ensuring that adequate quality
assurance programs are inherent in each country's laboratory network.
*5.* Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2010 Aug; Volume 16, Number 8:
820-30. *Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Syrian Patients
by Double-Repetitive-Element Polymerase Chain Reaction;* Rahmo, A., Hamze,
M.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21469563>
The role of previous treatment in the dynamics of TB transmission has not
been adequately investigated. *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* isolates from
previously treated patients (n = 88) from all regions of the Syrian Arab
Republic were characterized in terms of antibiotic sensitivity and
genotyping using double-repetitive-element polymerase chain reaction
(DRE-PCR) method for the proximity of the repetitive DNA elements IS6110 (a
mobile genetic element) and PGRS. The 88 isolates resulted in 59 different
DRE-PCR patterns. Correlations related to age, sex, region, sensitivity and
genotype were examined. All regions of the country showed high levels of
genotype diversity, suggesting a low level of transmission of *M.
tuberculosis* strains in previously treated patients.
*6.* Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2010 Aug; Volume 16, Number 8:
812-9. *Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis of Lebanese Patients
by Double-Repetitive-Element Polymerase Chain Reaction;* Hamze, M., Rahmo,
A., Saade, M.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21469562>
Molecular studies have been successfully applied in evaluating
epidemiological linkages in TB. A total of 87 isolates of *Mycobacterium
tuberculosis* were collected from patients in all regions of Lebanon and
characterized in terms of drug sensitivity. Double-repetitive-element
polymerase chain reaction was used to differentiate between strains. Various
correlations related to age, sex, region, sensitivity and genotype were
examined. Several genotypes were more common in certain age ranges. Male
patients appeared more likely either to be infected by or to develop
multidrug-resistant strains. There was also evidence for a distribution of
genotype groups indicating some level of geographical isolation and hence
separate evolution of *M. tuberculosis* strains.
*7.* International Journal of General Medicine. 2011 Feb 28; Volume 4:
181-90. *Time of Highest Tuberculosis Death Risk and Associated Factors: An
Observation of 12 Years in Northern Thailand;* Moolphate, S., Aung, M.N.,
Nampaisan, O., Nedsuwan, S., tipong P, Suriyon N, Hansudewechakul C, Yanai
H, Yamada N, Ishikawa N.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21475634>
Northern Thailand is a TB endemic area with a high TB death rate. The
researchers investigated the time of highest death risk during TB treatment,
and identified the risk factors taking place during that period of high
risk. The researchers explored the TB surveillance data of the Chiang Rai
province, Northern Thailand, retrospectively for 12 years. A total of 19,174
TB patients (including 5,009 deaths) were investigated from 1997 to 2008,
and the proportion of deaths in each month of TB treatment was compared.
Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify
the characteristics of patients who died in the first month of TB treatment.
A total of 5,626 TB patients from 2005 to 2008 were included in this
regression analysis. The numbers of deaths in the first month of TB
treatment were 38%, 39%, and 46% in the years 1997-2000, 2001-2004, and
2005-2008, respectively. The first month of TB treatment is the time of the
maximum number of deaths. Moreover, advancing age, HIV infection, and being
a Thai citizen were significant factors contributing to these earlier deaths
in the course of TB treatment. Findings have pointed to the specific time
period and patients at higher risk for TB death. These findings would be
useful for prioritizing interventions in order to diminish TB-related deaths
globally. Studies based on these findings are necessary for the introduction
of newer intervention strategies.
*8.* International Journal of General Medicine. 2011 Mar 14; Volume
4:207-10. *False Positive Seroreactivity to Brucellosis in Tuberculosis
Patients: A Prevalence Study;* Varshochi, M., Majidi, J., Amini, M.,
Ghabili, K., et al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21475625>
The rising worldwide incidence of TB increases the demand for knowledge
about its potential seroreactivity with other microbial agents. A few
reports and the authors' experiences indicate that TB may result in a
false-positive brucellosis serology. This may cause a diagnostic challenge
because of the close clinical resemblance of these two infections. This
prevalence study elucidated brucellosis seroreactivity in patients with
active TB disease. Ninety-eight patients with newly diagnosed and active TB
disease were studied using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and
Wright's and Coombs-Wright's tests. Seventy-five healthy individuals were
used as controls. The patients showed signs of recovery after starting a
standard anti-TB regimen and had no clinical evidence of brucellosis at a
subsequent 6-month follow-up. The data were analyzed statistically by
Fisher's exact test using SPSS 11.0. The researchers found that 9.2% of TB
patients versus 1.3% of healthy controls had positive results on the
anti-Brucella IgG ELISA (P = 0.04). Five TB patients were found to have
agglutination on Wright's tests, while none of the controls showed
agglutination. Active TB disease patients may have some seroreactivity with
Brucella antigens, and Brucella IgG ELISA may give a false positive in these
patients. Clinicians should consider false positive brucellosis
seroreactivity in patients with active TB disease.
*9.* International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental
Health. 2011 Mar; Volume 24, Number 1: 94-101. Epub 2011 Feb 16. *Molecular
Surveillance of Hepatitis and Tuberculosis Infections in a Cohort Exposed to
Methyl Isocyanate;* Mishra, P.K., Bhargava, A., Pathak, N., Desikan, P., et
al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21468906>
The potential toxic effects on the immune system exerted by occupational and
accidental environmental exposures and underlying molecular regulatory
mechanisms involved in the etiology and progression of infectious diseases
are now being characterized. The Bhopal gas tragedy is undoubtedly one of
the worst industrial disasters in the history of mankind. After 25 years of
accidental exposure to methyl isocyanate (MIC), severe systemic ailments
still continue to preoccupy the lives of the affected population that
survived this tragedy. The researchers have performed a molecular
surveillance study to characterize hepatitis and TB infections amongst the
first and the second generation of survivors exposed to MIC. Both outdoor
and indoor patients referred for molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B virus
(HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* (MTB) were
examined. Qualitative analysis for HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HCV through ELISA
was performed, while BacT/ALERT and Ziehl-Neelson technique were utilized
for the assessment of TB. Detection and quantification of viral and
bacterial nucleic acid and characterization of hepatitis genotypes were
analyzed using real-time and end-point PCR techniques. The results suggest
that HBV infections are most common among the MIC-exposed cohort, followed
by extra-pulmonary and pulmonary MTB and HCV infections. Genotype 3 is the
most prevalent HCV genotype among the survivors. Failure to detect HBsAg,
anti-HBc and anti-HCV through ELISA, and TB by culture and Ziehl-Neelson
stain, indicates higher prevalence of occult hepatitis and latent TB in the
affected population. This study underscored the importance of hospital-based
records used as a data source for monitoring possible environmental health
hazards. As the risk of progress of infection is often influenced by
conditions and periods of environmental chemical exposure, therefore,
insights of interconnected molecular pathways will further illuminate the
gene-environment association and might offer valuable information for
rational drug design.
*10.* Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology. 2011 Feb; Volume 7, Number 1:
150-1. *Synthesis of Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles and Their
Controlled Drug Delivery for Tuberculosis;* Malathi, S., Balasubramanian, S.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21485846>
TB is the leading cause of infectious diseases affecting the 2 billion
people worldwide. To improve the current method of treatment, a synthetic
polymeric anti-TB nanodrug delivery system was attempted. A series of PLGA
polymers with different molar feed ratios i.e., 90/10, 75/25, 50/50 were
synthesized by direct melt polycondensation method. The PLGA nanoparticles
and the drug, Rifampicin (RIF), encapsulation were prepared by double
emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. The in vitro release profile of the
RIF loaded PLGA NPs showed an initial burst followed by sustained release.
The nanoparticles were remarkably advantageous in terms of high drug
encapsulation efficiency, low polymer consumption and better sustained
release profile.
*11.* JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2011 Mar;
Volume 61, Number 3: 229-32. *Drug Resistance Patterns in Pulmonary
Tuberculosis; *Khoharo, H.K., Shaikh, I.A.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21465933>
This study determined the resistance patterns of *Mycobacterium tuberculosis
* (MTB) isolates among category I and II patients of pulmonary TB. This
cross sectional study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Liaquat
University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro, from November 2008 to
September 2009. Patients were divided into category I and II. The sputa were
collected, stained with Ziehl-Nielsen (Z-N) staining and ultimately
inoculated on Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) media for six weeks. Out of 890
pulmonary TB (PTB) patients, the growth was obtained in 285 cases. The drug
sensitivity testing (DST) for isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), ethambutol
(EMB) pyrazinamide (PZA) and streptomycin (SM) was performed. The data were
analyzed on SPSS 10.0. A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Out of
285 cases, 176 (61.75%) were male and 109 (38.24%) female. The mean age was
37 +/- 19.90 years. The DST showed drug sensitive and drug resistant
isolates in 80 (28.05%) and 205 (71.92%) cases respectively (p=0.001). The
drug resistant TB (DR-TB) rates for individual drugs; INH, RIF, EMB, PZA and
SM were 51,22%, 15.4%, 13.33%, 9%12, and 3.85% respectively (p=0.03). The
MDR TB isolates were detected in 120 (42.10%) cases, including 5 (5.88%) in
category I and 115 (57.50%) in category II patients (p=0.0001). Drug
resistant and MDR TB were observed mainly in category II patients. However,
primary MDR was also observed in category I patients and reflected
dissemination of MDR cases within the community.
*12.* The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences. 2011 Apr; Volume 27, Number
4: 138-43. Epub 2011 Feb 16. *Is It Appropriate to Routinely Use a Nucleic
Acid Amplification Test for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis? *Lin, C.B., Chou,
H.W., Lin, W.C., Lin, T.Y., et al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21463836>
This study compared the usefulness of the nucleic acid amplification (NAA)
test against conventional tests under normal laboratory operational
conditions. The NAA test was performed on the first sputum specimen of all
patients. Liquid media culture, solid media culture, and Ziehl-Neelsen stain
for an acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear were performed on three sputum
specimens. The results were calculated using the gold standard of either the
culture results or the clinical diagnosis. Of the 593 patients tested, 151
(25.5%) were diagnosed with pulmonary TB. The sensitivity of the first
specimen only was 64% for the NAA test, 54% for the AFB smear, 77% for
BACTEC MGIT 960 culture, 40% for Lowestain-Jensen (LJ) culture, and 25% for
7H11 culture. The sensitivity when using all three specimens increased to
63% for AFB smear, 87% for BACTEC MGIT 960 culture, 51% for LJ culture, and
40% for 7H11 culture. The specificity was 100% for all culture tests, 99%
for the AFB smear, and 99.5% for NAA test. The mean turnaround time was 1.34
days for NAA, 0.59 days for AFB smear, 11 days for BACTEC MGIT 960 culture,
23 days for LJ culture, and 20 days for 7H11 culture. The researchers
conclude that the sensitivity of NAA is still far from ideal, and the test
is not cost-effective. Thus, the COBAS AMPLICOR PCR system is not suitable
for routine use in microbiology laboratories.
*13.* PLoS One. 2011 Apr 4; Volume 6, Number 4: e17601. *Natural History of
Tuberculosis: Duration and Fatality of Untreated Pulmonary Tuberculosis in
HIV Negative Patients: A Systematic Review;* Tiemersma, E.W., van der Werf,
M.J., Borgdorff, M.W., Williams, B.G., et al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21483732>
The prognosis, specifically the case fatality and duration, of untreated TB
is important as many patients are not correctly diagnosed and therefore
receive inadequate or no treatment. Furthermore, duration and case fatality
of TB are key parameters in interpreting epidemiological data. To estimate
the duration and case fatality of untreated pulmonary TB in HIV negative
patients the researchers reviewed studies from the pre-chemotherapy era.
Untreated smear-positive TB among HIV negative individuals has a 10-year
case fatality variously reported between 53% and 86%, with a weighted mean
of 70%. Ten-year case fatality of culture-positive smear-negative TB was
nowhere reported directly but can be indirectly estimated to be
approximately 20%. The duration of TB from onset to cure or death is
approximately 3 years and appears to be similar for smear-positive and
smear-negative TB. Current models of untreated TB that assume a total
duration of 2 years until self-cure or death underestimate the duration of
disease by about one year, but their case fatality estimates of 70% for
smear-positive and 20% for culture-positive smear-negative TB appear to be
satisfactory.
*14.* PLoS One. 2011 Apr 5; Volume 6, Number 4: e18486. *Validation of a
Clinical-Radiographic Score to Assess the Probability of Pulmonary
Tuberculosis in Suspect Patients with Negative Sputum Smears;* Soto, A.,
Solari, L., Díaz, J., Mantilla, A., et al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21483690>
Clinical suspects of pulmonary TB in which the sputum smears are negative
for acid-fast bacilli represent a diagnostic challenge in resource
constrained settings. The researchers’ objective was to validate an existing
clinical-radiographic score that assessed the probability of smear-negative
pulmonary TB (SNPT) in high incidence settings in Peru. The researchers
included in two referral hospitals in Lima, patients with clinical suspicion
of pulmonary TB and two or more negative sputum smears. Using a published
but not externally validated score, patients were classified as having low,
intermediate or high probability of pulmonary TB. The reference standard for
the diagnosis of TB was a positive sputum culture in at least one of 2
liquid (MGIT or Middlebrook 7H9) and 1 solid (Ogawa) media. Prevalence of TB
was calculated in each of the three probability groups. There were 684
patients included and 184 (27.8%) of them had a diagnosis of pulmonary TB.
The score did not perform well in patients with a previous history of
pulmonary TB. In patients without, the prevalence of TB was 5.1%, 31.7%, and
72% in the low, intermediate and high probability group respectively. The
area under de ROC curve was 0.76 (95% CI 0.72-0.80) and scores ≥6 had a
positive LR of 10.9. In smear negative suspects without previous history of
TB, the clinical-radiographic score can be used as a tool to assess the
probability of pulmonary TB and to guide the decision to initiate or defer
treatment or to requesting additional tests.
*15.* PLoS One. 2011 Mar 29; Volume 6, Number 3: e18315. *Methylated HBHA
Produced in M. smegmatis Discriminates between Active and Non-Active
Tuberculosis Disease among RD1-Responders;* Delogu, G., Chiacchio, T.,
Vanini, V., Butera, O., et al.
Click here for PubMed abstract:
PubMed<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21479248>
A challenge in TB research is to develop a new immunological test that can
help distinguish, among subjects responsive to QuantiFERON TB Gold In tube
(QFT-IT), those who are able to control Mtb replication (remote LTBI, recent
infection and past TB) from those who cannot (active TB disease). IFN-γ
response to the Heparin-binding-hemagglutinin (HBHA) of Mtb has been
associated with LTBI, but the cumbersome procedures of purifying the
methylated and immunological active form of the protein from Mtb or *M.
bovis* Bacillus Calmette et Guerin (BCG) have prevented its implementation
in a diagnostic test. Therefore, this study was to evaluate the IFN-γ
response to methylated HBHA of Mtb produced in *M. smegmatis* (rHBHAms) in
individuals at different stages of TB who scored positive to QFT-IT.
Eight-seven individuals at different stages of TB who scored positive to
QFT-IT were selected. IFN-γ response to in vitro whole blood stimulation
with rHBHAms was evaluated by short-term and long-term tests and detected by
ELISA or flow cytometry. The researchers demonstrated that the IFN-γ
response to rHBHAms is mediated by CD4(+) T-cells with an effector-memory
phenotype. This response, evaluated by short-term-tests, is significantly
lower in active TB than in remote LTBI (p = 0.0010) and past TB (p = 0.0152).
These results were confirmed by long-term tests. The qualitative data
confirmed that IFN-γ responses higher than the cut-off point identified by
ROC analysis are associated with the status of non-active disease. In this
study the researchers showed that the T-cell response to a recombinant and
methylated HBHA of Mtb produced in *M. smegmatis* is useful to discriminate
between active and non-active TB disease among those responsive to QFT-IT in
a whole blood system. Further studies are needed to improve the accuracy of
the assay.
Job Announcements
*All job announcements will be posted for two months. Please notify us if a
job is filled before the end of the two-month posting period, and we will
remove the job announcement. Thank you. *
*1. Training and Consultation Specialist (Job Number: 11NS963476) *
*Sponsor: NJMS Global Tuberculosis Institute*
Location: Newark, New Jersey, USA
The New Jersey Medical School Global TB Institute is currently accepting
applications for a Training and Consultation Specialist. Responsibilities
for this position will include both Regional Training and Medical
Consultation Consortium (RTMCC) activities as well as international TB
training and education activities.
Responsibilities will include developing and implementing training courses
for TB Program staff and developing patient and provider educational
materials for use in domestic and international settings. Previous
experience in international TB training and education is desired.
More information and an online application are available at
http://umdnj.hodesiq.com/job_detail.asp?JobID=2289868&user_id=
*2. Deputy Director, Field Projects, TB Team, HIV/TB Global Team (Tracking
Code 4477) *
*Sponsor: PATH*
Location: Washington, DC
PATH is an international, nonprofit organization that creates sustainable,
culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break
longstanding cycles of poor health. PATH's mission is to improve the health
of people around the world by advancing technologies, strengthening systems,
and encouraging healthy behaviors. PATH is seeking a Deputy Director for TB
field projects with experience managing USAID projects, excellent
organizational and leadership skills, strong writing and reporting skills,
and TB expertise to provide program management support to PATH's growing TB
portfolio within the HIV/TB Global Program. S/he will report to the TB Team
Leader.
Responsibilities will include:
(1) Assume direct management responsibilities for a portion of the TB
portfolio and backstop other portfolio activities.
(2) Manage project start-up, documentation, and closeout activities
in collaboration with other team members.
(3) Track work plan and budget progress and problem-solve
implementation barriers with technical team members.
(4) Manage or backstop specific TB project technical activities,
providing guidance on program development, implementation, and evaluation in
the field.
(5) Support content development for work plans, reports, and other
related documents.
(6) Act as the point person with donors and partners when the TB Team
Leader is unavailable.
(7) Represent PATH on international working groups and task forces as
appropriate and maintain contacts with other organizations working in TB
control.
(8) Represent PATH at international conferences, in meetings with
national TB programs, donors, technical partners, and elsewhere.
(9) Support business development and play a major role in proposal
preparation for expansion of PATH’s TB work.
(10) Provide project management training and mentoring to PATH TB
staff at headquarters and in the field.
(11) Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of
PATH’s TB program strategy.
(12) Other duties as appropriate.
Candidates can apply online at:
Apply<http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.welcome&category_id=24200&company_id=15780&version=1&startflag=2&parent=North%20America%3B%3B%3BPublic%20Health&levelid2=24200>
*3. Technical Officer, TB Team, HIV/TB Global Program (Tracking Code
4526) *
*Sponsor: PATH*
Location: Washington, DC
PATH is an international, nonprofit organization that creates sustainable,
culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break
longstanding cycles of poor health. PATH's mission is to improve the health
of people around the world by advancing technologies, strengthening systems,
and encouraging healthy behaviors.
Based within the HIV/Tuberculosis Global Program, PATH's TB Portfolio
consists of a dynamic and growing set of both global and country-focused
technical assistance projects and short-term assignments. Such projects
include supporting DOTS expansion and quality improvement, laboratory
strengthening, surveillance, TB/HIV service integration, infection control,
programmatic management of drug-resistant TB, public-private sector
collaboration, and advocacy, communication and social mobilization.
PATH is seeking a Technical Officer with experience managing USAID projects,
excellent organizational and leadership skills, and TB expertise to provide
program management support. The Technical Officer will backstop the PATH TB
project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. S/he will report to the TB Team
Leader.
Specific responsibilities include:
(1) Provide intensive technical and management support to the PATH TB
and TB/HIV project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including:
• Work with PATH HQ and the country team to support rapid start-up
of new project office and placement of staff in the field.
• Work with country team on project design, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation.
• Support development of annual work plans, budgets, reports, and
all deliverables.
• Work with country staff to ensure timely completion of project
activities and problem-solve barriers.
• Work with country staff to ensure compliance with USAID contract
rules and regulations and monitor budgets.
• Conduct quarterly (or more frequent as needed) project review
with in-country staff and develop action plans for any improvements.
• Build in-country staff capacity in TB control and TB/HIV
integration through mentorship or trainings.
• Work with PATH HQ to ensure the security of staff and offices in
the field.
(2) Contribute to responding to new opportunities, including
developing proposals in response to global and country-based solicitations.
(3) Represent PATH at international conferences, in meetings with
national TB programs, donors, technical partners, and elsewhere.
(4) Manage and participate in global project work as a technical
expert (e.g., national tuberculosis program evaluations, Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grant preparation).
(5) Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of
PATH’s TB program strategy.
(6) Other duties as appropriate, including backstopping additional
field projects.
Candidates can apply online at:
Apply<http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.welcome&category_id=24200&company_id=15780&version=1&startflag=2&parent=North%20America%3B%3B%3BPublic%20Health&levelid2=24200>
*4. Technical Officer, TB Team, HIV/TB Global Program (Tracking Code 4590) *
*Sponsor: PATH*
Location: Washington, DC
Please note, work visas will not be provided for this position.
PATH is an international, nonprofit organization that creates sustainable,
culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break
longstanding cycles of poor health. PATH's mission is to improve the health
of people around the world by advancing technologies, strengthening systems,
and encouraging healthy behaviors.
Based within the HIV/Tuberculosis Global Program, PATH's TB Portfolio
consists of a dynamic and growing set of both global and country-focused
technical assistance projects and short-term assignments. Such projects
include supporting DOTS expansion and quality improvement, laboratory
strengthening, surveillance, TB/HIV service integration, infection control,
programmatic management of drug-resistant TB, public-private sector
collaboration, and advocacy, communication and social mobilization.
PATH is seeking a Technical Officer with experience managing USAID projects,
excellent organizational and leadership skills, and strong TB control
expertise to provide program management and senior technical support. The
Technical Officer will backstop the large PATH TB project in India. S/he
will report to the TB Team Leader.
Specific responsibilities include:
(1) Provide intensive technical and management support to the PATH TB
project in India, including:
• Work with country team on project design, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation.
• Support development and tracking of annual work plans, budgets,
reports, and all deliverables.
• Work with country staff to ensure timely completion of project
activities and problem-solve barriers.
• Work with country staff to ensure compliance with USAID contract
rules and regulations and monitor budgets.
• Conduct quarterly (or more frequent as needed) project review
with in-country staff and develop action plans for any improvements.
• Build in-country staff capacity in TB control and TB/HIV
integration through mentorship or trainings.
(2) Contribute to responding to new opportunities, including developing
proposals in response to global and country-based solicitations.
(3) Represent PATH at international conferences, in meetings with national
TB programs, donors, technical partners, and elsewhere.
(4) Manage and participate in global project work as a technical expert
(e.g., national tuberculosis program evaluations, Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria grant preparation).
(5) Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of PATH’s
TB program strategy.
(6) Other duties as appropriate, including backstopping additional field
projects.
Candidates can apply online at:
Apply<http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.welcome&category_id=24200&company_id=15780&version=1&startflag=2&parent=North%20America%3B%3B%3BPublic%20Health&levelid2=24200>
*5. Nurse Practitioner *
*Sponsor: Olive View UCLA Medical Center Infectious Disease Tuberculosis
Care Unit*
Location: Los Angeles, California
Olive View UCLA Medical Center (a unit of the Los Angeles County Department
of Health Services) is recruiting a Nurse Practitioner for a new long-term
TB care unit. The nurse will care for approximately 15-30 patients
(depending upon the unit census) and will be supervised by the unit
physician director. Daily responsibilities will include routine patient
care, medication monitoring and collaborative care interactions with
nursing, dietary, and social work personnel.
The NP will work closely with infection control personnel to maintain
isolation procedures and will be expected to collaborate with LA County TB
control personnel in facilitating long-term patient treatment plans. The
nurse will also participate in a planned “PPD clinic” to help manage
asymptomatic PPD+ patients. In addition to these clinical duties, the NP
will be expected to participate in unit and hospital efforts to provide
staff and patient education regarding TB.
Desirable qualifications include previous public health experience and a
willingness to work with drug-resistant TB infected patients.
Interested applicants should contact Sylvia Anguiano in the Dept of Medicine
at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center and send a c.v. with letter of intent.
Sylvia Anguiano
Dept of Medicine 2B182
Olive View-UCLA Medical Center
14445 Olive View Drive
Sylmar, Ca. 91342
Office: 818-364-3205
E-mail
In order to be considered for the position, the applicant must also apply
for a nurse practitioner position with the Los Angeles County Department of
Health Services through one of the following links:
https://sjobs.brassring.com/1033/asp/tg/cim_jobdetail.asp?partnerid=25082&sit...
OR
May also apply for NP position at http://www.ladhs.org under employment
opportunities.
*6. Senior Advisor, Tuberculosis / Grade 06 *
*Sponsor: The Global Fund*
Vacancy Number: DD/11/IRC770
The Senior Advisor, Tuberculosis, reporting to the Unit Director, Knowledge
Management Unit, will serve as the primary point for leadership and
strategic guidance on tuberculosis, collaborating across the Secretariat and
with external partners.
The successful applicant will provide the Global Fund with authoritative
guidance on the prevention and treatment aspects of tuberculosis, provide
expert technical advice to support quality grant management, keep staff
updated on scientific and programmatic developments in the area of
tuberculosis, represent the Global Fund in technical tuberculosis for and
liaises closely with key partners to maximize the Global Fund’s contribution
to the fight against tuberculosis.
The Senior Advisor will work closely with other Units and Teams within the
Strategy, Performance & Evaluation Cluster as well as staff across the
organization, including country and regional teams, to realize the
objectives of the Global Fund.
For detailed information of Key Responsibilities, Person Specification, and
Benefits, etc. about this job, visit:
http://www.stoptb.org/assets/documents/news/VN%20Senior%20Advisor_Tuberculosi...
.
Upcoming Conferences, Trainings, and Other Events Find up-to-date
information on TB-related conferences, US training opportunities, and other
events at the DTBE Monthly Calendar<http://www.cdc.gov/tb/events/default.htm>
.
*1. TB Diagnostics in India: From Importation and Imitation to Innovation*
*NEW*
Sponsors: McGill University. Global Health Strategies.
Dates: August 25 – 26, 2011
Location: Bangalore, Indika
This conference will convene industry leaders, innovative thinkers,
researchers, funders, TB controllers, and policy makers to stimulate
increased industry/biotech engagement in diagnostic innovations that can
help TB control in India and elsewhere. Sessions will focus on topics such
as market size for TB diagnostics, IVD market analysis and value chain,
target product profiles and market needs, frugal innovation and affordable
diagnostics, intellectual property issues, regulation of diagnostics,
sources of funding, prize models, business models for engaging private
sector, scientific obstacles for R&D, barriers to innovation in India,
improving academia-industry relations, and role of emerging economies and
BRICS in the next wave of TB innovations.
Space is limited. Registration form available at: http://wwws.sjri.res.in.
For more information, contact Dr. John Kenneth, SJRI, Bangalore, Meeting
Coordinator. Email ; phone +91 80 25532037 Ext 139; or
access the Web site at http://www.sjri.res.in/html/2days_conference_new.html.
2. Targeted Testing and Treatment of Latent TB Infection: An Online
Presentation (60 minutes)
Sponsor: The Francis J. Curry National Tuberculosis Center
This slide presentation is presented by L. Masae Kawamura, M.D., TB
Controller of the San Francisco Department of Public Health and co-principal
investigator of the Francis J. Curry National TB Center/UCSF. Dr. Kawamura
explores the diagnosis and treatment of LTBI, including the rationale for TB
screening and what is meant by "targeted testing," risk factors for TB, the
tuberculin skin test and new interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs),
current LTBI treatment guidelines, and how to counsel and motivate patients.
This slide presentation with streaming audio provides information on how to
effectively target test for TB as well as how to treat latent TB infection
(LTBI). A question and answer guide, a printable PowerPoint slide file, and
other useful resources are also included as supplemental materials.
For more information, visit
http://www.nationaltbcenter.ucsf.edu/testing_ltbi/ .
*3. Practical Solutions for TB Infection Control: Infectiousness and
Isolation *
Sponsor: Francis J. Curry National Tuberculosis Center
Location: Online Course
Length: 60 minutes
This 60-minute Flash presentation with streaming audio provides information
on how to determine whether a TB patient is infectious and demonstrates
practical ways to prevent TB transmission in the clinic, in transit, and in
the patient's home. Throughout the training, interactive questions allow
participants to test and apply what has been learned. At the end of the
presentation, there is a list of additional resources that includes links to
further written information as well as links to the Regional Training and
Medical Consultation Centers (RTMCCs).
For further assistance, contact Francis J. Curry National Tuberculosis
Center. E-mail ; telephone (415) 502-4600;
or fax (415) 502-4620.
For a course description, visit
http://www.nationaltbcenter.ucsf.edu/tbicweb/ .
*4. Medical Management of Tuberculosis: An Online Presentation*
Sponsor: Francis J. Curry National Tuberculosis Center
Length: 30 minutes
Credit: 0.5 contact hour CME/CNE
This slide presentation with streaming audio will provide information on how
to manage treatment of TB. A question and answer guide, a printable
PowerPoint slide file, and other useful resources are also included as
supplemental reading materials. This 30-minute lecture, conducted by Dr.
Karen Smith, covers the general principles of TB treatment, the drugs used
to cure TB, alternative regimens, monitoring, and potential adverse
reactions to therapy. It targets audiences of clinicians and health care
professionals.
For a course description or to receive continuing medical education (CME) or
continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hours, please visit
http://www.nationaltbcenter.edu/med_mgmt/ .
*5. Legal Interventions in TB Control: A Web-Based Seminar *
Sponsor: New Jersey Medical School Global Tuberculosis Institute
Location: Web-Based Seminar
This web-based seminar, presented by the Global TB Institute, was originally
held on September 11, 2007 and explored successful and innovative approaches
to implementing legal interventions in TB control programs in the US.
Experts shared legal and ethical considerations, as well as hands-on
experiences, practical steps, and legal tools that can be used to improve
outcomes of case management, treatment outcomes, and contact investigations.
Points were illustrated using lectures and case presentations
Please follow the link below to view this web-based seminar:
http://www.umdnj.edu/globaltb/audioarchives/legal.htm .
*6. Comprehensive Clinical TB Course - June 2011 *
Sponsor: Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC)
Dates: June 6 - 9, 2011
Location: Lantana, Florida
This four-day training program will familiarize the clinician with all
aspects of TB infection, disease and clinical care using an
interdisciplinary and interactive approach. Course objectives are
accomplished through a combination of didactic lectures and interactive case
management discussions. The course is conducted at A.G. Holley State
Hospital, one of the last free-standing TB sanatoriums in the U.S.
Registration fee: $300.00.
For more information, contact SNTC by E-mail at
; call 888-265-7682; or access the Web site:
http://sntc.medicine.ufl.edu/training.aspx .
*7. Overcoming Barriers to TB Control: the Role of Advocacy, Communication,
and Social Mobilization (ACSM) *
Sponsor: WHO Collaborating Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease,
Tradate, Italy. PATH, USA.
Dates: June 7 – 14, 2011
Location: Sondalo, North Italy
ACSM is now firmly on the global TB control agenda as an essential
cross-cutting approach to
supporting the six elements of the Stop TB Strategy. Most countries have
endorsed the Stop TB
Strategy, but many national TB programs are not yet investing resources in
ACSM strategically or
engaging communities fully in TB care and prevention and may not have local
capacity to
implement planned ACSM activities.
The primary goal of the workshop is to build ACSM skills at the national and
local levels to support the sustained contribution of ACSM interventions to
significant TB control program improvements.
Enrolment is limited to 23 to 24 participants. Course fee: 1.900 Euros.
For more information, including the application forms, contact Lia
D’Ambrosio. E-mail lia.dambrosio@fsm,it; or access the Website at
http://training.stoptb.it/page8/page9/page9.html.
*8. TST Train-the-Trainer *
Sponsor: Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC)
Date: June 10, 2011
Location: Lantana, Florida
This one-day skill-building course provides the knowledge needed to plan,
teach, and evaluate a Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) course. The course
content includes skills for planning and conducting a TST training including
adult learning principles and teaching strategies. The curriculum is
provided through lecture and participatory activities, including practicum
in TST administration and reading and instructional skills demonstration.
Registration Fee: $50.00. Continuing education credits are available.
For more information, including registration, E-mail ;
phone: 888-265-7682; or visit http://sntc.medicine.ufl.edu/Training.aspx.
*9. 2011 National TB Conference *
Sponsor: National TB Controllers Association
Dates: June 15 – 17, 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
The theme for this year's conference is "TB Control: Facing Challenges -
Discovering Solutions." The National TB Conference is an important forum
that brings state, local, territorial, and other TB control professionals
together with colleagues from the CDC to discuss a wide array of medical,
technical, and programmatic TB issues. Invited participants for the 2011
conference include state and big city TB Controllers, TB Nurse Consultants,
TB Program Managers, Division of TB Elimination (DTBE) field staff, TB
laboratory staff, and Regional Training and Medical Consultation Centers
(RTMCC) leadership. The conference will be preceded with special meetings on
Monday and Tuesday, June 13 and 14. Breakout sessions will be included to
enhance discussions, as well as to share program experiences and successes.
The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) is holding their 7th
National Conference on Laboratory Aspects of TB in conjunction with the
National TB Conference June 13-15, 2011. Visit
http://www.aphl.org/profdev/conferences/tb7/Pages/default.aspx for more
information. Registration fee is $400. A special registration fee of $550 is
being offered to attend both conferences.
For more information, contact Sherry Brown, E-mail: ; Phone:
404-639-8953; Fax: 404-639-8604; or access the Web site:
https://www.signup4.net/public/ap.aspx?EID=2011760E&OID=50.
*10. TB? Maybe Not: the Differential Diagnosis of Tuberculosis *
Sponsor: Curry International Tuberculosis Center
Date: July 20, 2011
Location: Nationwide, US
Application deadline: June 30, 2011
This course is targeting the clinicians and others who are involved in the
diagnosis of active TB disease. With a panel of experts, this web-based
seminar will review case scenarios of the most common diagnostic dilemmas in
the diagnosis of TB, which will include basic issues in the recognition of
NTM, infectious pneumonia, and cancers.
There is no fee for this course. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration
is required. Continuing education credits are available.
For more information, visit
http://www.currytbcenter.ucsf.edu/training/nationalwebseminar.cfm .
*11. Leading Management Teams *
Sponsor: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The
Union)
Dates: June 27 – July 9, 2011
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Bringing measurable changes within a TB program requires a comprehensive
approach to performance management. Participants in this course will learn
how to more effectively guide groups of personnel through advanced
management training by examining their own leadership styles. Key topics the
course addresses include: (1) Creating measurable results in a TB program
through long-term planning; (2) Leading changes in a health organization
that build greater staff commitment, competence, and confidence; (3)
Achieving higher success rates through enhanced team performance; and (4)
Developing team members through coaching and mentoring.
Late applications accepted on a space-available basis. To register, E-mail
.
For more information, E-mail: ; or visit the
Web site: http://www.union-imdp.org/courses/leading-management-teams.
*12. Africa TB Conference 2011 *
Sponsors: Management Sciences for Health, Strengthening Pharmaceutical
Systems (SPS) Program. World Health Organization. Stop TB Partnership.
Dates: July 19 – 21, 2011
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Registration deadline: June 13, 2011
The conference's objective is the identification of specific actions the
region can take to ensure universal access to quality TB medicines and
commodities and contain drug resistance through their appropriate use. In
addition, participants will learn how to use modern technologies,
frameworks, best practices, and new TB tools to strengthen TB pharmaceutical
management systems.
Download the registration form from
http://africatb2011.wordpress.com/conference-registration/ . Space is
limited to 100 participants.
For more information, contact SPS TB Conference Management Sciences for
Health. E-mail ; phone (703) 524-6575; fax (703)
524-7898; or access the Web site at http://africatb2011.wordpress.com./ .
*13. 2011 Infectious Disease Training and Exercise *
Sponsor: Arizona Department of Health Services, Tuberculosis Control Program
Dates: July 27 – 29, 2011
Location: Tempe, Arizona
This three-day infectious disease training will introduce participants to a
variety of topics in infectious disease including: vaccine preventable
diseases; nosocomial infections; TB and sexually transmitted diseases;
vector-borne and zoonotic diseases; food-borne diseases; and information on
outbreaks and investigations. Sessions will be led by experts in the field
of infectious disease with emphasis on current trends. Participants are
encouraged to forge connections with partners and exchange information and
knowledge of current infectious disease topics.
There will be a one hour break for lunch each day. There is no fee
associated with this event.
For more information contact Carla Chee, Program Manager, Tuberculosis
Control Program, Arizona Department of Health Services, Email:
; Phone: (602) 364-3846; Fax: (602) 364-3267; or access the
Web site: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2011AZID
*14. Strategic Planning and Innovation *
Dates: August 15 – 20, 2011
Sponsor: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The
Union)
Location: Singapore
Application deadline: July 10, 2011
Leading teams that work within critical areas of health care is a
considerable challenge for any national TB program manager who is expected
to develop and adhere to strategies for a country’s health projects.
Participants in this course will learn to foresee potential difficulties and
confidently meet them by developing successful health program strategies.
This course will help them to become stronger leaders within their health
organizations The course focuses on creating a learning organization that
has the capacity to identify key issues blocking organizational progress –
whether operational, strategic, or policy-related. Key topics the course
addresses: (1) learning how to lead a participative strategic planning
activity within your TB program, (2) developing a focused approach to
strategy implementation, (3) expanding your operations by creatively using
simple tools and techniques, and (4) strengthening health systems through
exploration of innovative and creative practices.
Late applications accepted on a space-available basis. To register, e-mail
.
For more information, e-mail ; or visit the
Web site at http://www.union-imdp.org/courses/strategic-planning-innovation
.
*15. Tuberculosis Program Manager’s Intensive *
Sponsor: Curry International Tuberculosis Center
Dates: August 23 – 26, 2011
Location: San Francisco, California
Application Deadline: June 30, 2011
This course is for nurses, physicians, and other health professionals
working as TB program managers. The training will cover the role of the
program manager, epidemiology of TB, treatment completion strategies, TB
outbreaks, contact investigation, quality assurance, staff training and
budgeting, infection control, program planning/grants, and program
evaluation.
Enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required. There is no fee for
this course. Continuing education credits are available.
For more information contact the Curry International Tuberculosis Center,
E-mail: ; Phone: (415) 502-4600; Fax:
(415) 502-4620; or access the Web site:
http://www.currytbcenter.ucsf.edu/training/tbpmi11.cfm.
*16. 4th International Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology of Tuberculosis
Drugs *
Sponsor: Virology Education
Date: September 16, 2011
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Early registration deadline: July 10, 2011
The aim of this abstract-driven workshop is to make a significant
contribution to the optimization of TB treatment, by bringing experts
together and having them present and discuss the latest important scientific
findings in the TB clinical pharmacology field. Additionally, scientific,
regulatory, or strategy issues that are highly relevant to the optimization
of TB treatment will be exchanged and discussed. Topics that will be
addressed include pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of new TB drugs,
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of approved TB drugs, new developments
in pediatric TB, and interactions between TB drugs and MDR- and XDR-TB.
Abstract submission dates: June 1, 2011 until July 22, 2011.
For more information, contact Virology Education B.V. E-mail
; phone +31 (0)30 230 7140; fax: +31 (0)30 230
7148; or access the Web site at http://www.virology-education.com/.
*17. Budget and Financial Management *
Sponsor: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The
Union)
Dates: September 19 – 24 2011
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
This course provides participants advanced training in budget development
processes for national health programs. The course also is ideal for those
tasked with creating international donor applications. Participants will
also learn to conduct accurate and clear financial reporting, as well as
techniques on how to monitor funds throughout the duration of a project.
Participants will engage in simulated work projects that mirror situations
they will encounter in the workplace. Making use of lectures, in-class
discussions, and exercises incorporating real-life situations, this course
will guide participants to higher levels of financial expertise and
responsibility.
Participants will create solid budgets for international donor applications;
compare and improve current budget practices using effective international
standards; learn to perform a workload analysis; monitor budgets throughout
a project cycle; understand how Excel functions and develop budgets with it;
comprehend budget costs, issues related to cost allocation, and cost
drivers; create cash flow analyses and budget forecasts; and design
effective financial reports and incorporate useful reporting techniques.
To register and learn more about the course, please visit
http://www.theunion.org/index.php/en/courses/international-management-develop...,
or e-mail .
*18. 11th Annual TB Education and Training Network (TB ETN) *
Sponsor: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Dates: September 20 – 22, 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Abstract submission deadline: July 21, 2011
The 11th annual TB Education and Training Network (TB ETN) Conference will
highlight the common aspects of TB education, training, and evaluation. The
conference will focus on a variety of topics including public health
workforce development in response to health care system changes, effective
health education messages, and new technology tools for TB education,
training, and evaluation. Conference activities will also include
skills-based workshops, informational presentations, and networking
opportunities.
Please consider developing an abstract for a poster presentation on a
significant or innovative aspect of TB education and training or program
evaluation. Posters that have been presented at other conferences may be
submitted. Appropriate topics for TB ETN posters include techniques
associated with the systematic health education process (needs assessment,
development, implementation, and evaluation). Abstract submission deadline:
July 21, 2011. Registration fee: $50.00/TB ETN members; $75.00/Non-members.
For more information, contact CDC DTBE, E-mail: ; Phone:
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636), TTY: (888) 232-6348; or access the Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/education/tbetn/conference.htm .
*19. The Denver TB Course *
Sponsor: National Jewish Health
Dates: October 12 – 15, 2011
Location: Denver, Colorado
The purpose of this course is to present knowledge about the management of
TB to general internists, public health workers, infectious diseases and
chest specialists, registered nurses, and other healthcare providers who
will be responsible for the management and care of patients with TB. This
event includes the following course highlights: Transmission and
pathogenesis of adult and pediatric TB; MDR TB and XDR TB; Screening for and
treatment of latent TB infection; Factors influencing TB infections;
Planning TB control programs with particular emphasis on organization of
outpatient chemotherapy; TB and HIV co-infection; and Mycobacteriology
Laboratory Tour.
Continuing education credits are available.
For more information contact Nicole Austin Ross, National Jewish Health.
E-mail ; phone (303) 398-1110; fax (303) 270-2239; or
access the Web site at http://www.njhealth.org/TBCourse.
*20. Human Resources Management *
Sponsor: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The
Union)
Dates: November 28 – December 3, 2011
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Application deadline: October 25, 2011
Focusing on improving human resources capabilities among health
organizations, this course trains participants to align staff output with
health program strategy. Participants will also learn about how to recruit
and retain the best qualified candidates for health projects. Key topics the
course addresses: (1) Determine an organization’s human resources needs; (2)
Align management of human resources with HR and organizational strategy; (3)
Practice and incorporate HR performance management systems tools and
techniques including appraisals, training, retention, and other staffing
mechanisms; and (4) Discover how to carry out a comprehensive organizational
HR audit.
To register or receive more information, e-mail , or visit
http://www.union-imdp.org.
For more information, e-mail ; or visit the Web site at.
http://www.union-imdp.org/courses/human-resources-management
