Objetivo
Worldwide, Tuberculosis bacillus (TB) has reached epidemic proportions, with rising infection rates calling out for immediate and effective action. Globally, approximately 2-3 million people die, and more than 7-8 million people develop active TB on a yea rly basis. There currently exists no method to successfully monitor the efficacy of TB treatment. Upon diagnosis, patients are treated for TB with a course of medication lasting approximately 6-9 months. Prior to the end of the treatment regime, there e xists very little indication of the efficacy of the particular treatment. In the event that the individual is found resistant to primary treatment, a stringent and time consuming analysis is undertaken to select the appropriate antibiotics effective for t hat particular patient as a second-line treatment. It has previously been shown that the blood plasma protein suPAR is elevated in patients with active TB, carries prognostic value during the treatment period, and that suPAR levels decrease in patients th at respond to therapy. This published data indicates that suPAR could possibly be used to guide clinical decision-making in HIV and TB management. Guinea-Bissau has one of the highest incidences of TB in the world (about 470 cases for every 100,000 adult s). However, as in other developing countries, markers of disease progression and/or treatment efficacy are difficult to find, especially if tests are to be inexpensive, technically simple, and require very little advanced equipment. The Bandim Health Pr oject, a research program holding a demographic health surveillance system covering 5 districts in Bissau (totalling a population of about 75,000) provides an optimal location to investigate if the serum level of suPAR is a useful marker for TB treatment e fficacy. Amongst other objectives, the project aims to provide a basis for the monitoring of TB progression and TB treatment efficacy, as well as to provide TB treatment for study participants.
Ámbito científico
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic health
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical transitionsrevolutions
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesHIV
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinepneumologytuberculosis
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibiotics
Palabras clave
Tema(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
FP6-2003-LIFESCIHEALTH-3
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