Four-month clofazimine regimen for susceptible pulmonary TB: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Clofazimine, an antimycobacterial agent, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing the treatment duration for MDR TB.

Objectives: To determine whether a 16 week clofazimine-based regimen is non-inferior to the standard 24 week regimen for drug-susceptible pulmonary TB.

Methods: CORTAIL was a multicentric, investigator-initiated, randomized controlled trial designed to assess the non-inferiority of a 16 week clofazimine-based regimen compared with the standard 24 week regimen for drug-susceptible pulmonary TB (Clinical Trials Registry of India no.

Addressing Challenges in Antibiotic Access: Barriers, Implications and Strategies for Solution.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global public health, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While excessive antibiotic use is often discussed, the issue of access to antibiotics demands attention. This viewpoint explores the multidimensional nature of the issue of access to antibiotics.

Antimicrobial drug pricing.

Despite the constant development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), few new antimicrobials are currently becoming available clinically. Alternative approaches, such as different mechanisms to fund their use, are being explored to encourage development of new antimicrobials.

A systematic review of antibiotic drug shortages and the strategies employed for managing these shortages.

Background: There is a need to examine the impact of increasingly prevalent antibiotic shortages on patient outcomes and on the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Objectives: To: (1) assess patterns and causes of shortages; (2) investigate the effect of shortages on health systems and patient outcomes; and (3) identify strategies for forecasting and managing shortages.

Data Sources: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of antimicrobials in critical care: a narrative review.

Introduction: The management of critically ill septic patients presents considerable challenges due to multifaceted physiological alterations. Rapid changes such as fluid shifts, hyperdynamic states, and altered renal clearance often require special attention for better clinical outcomes. Vital organ dysfunction, with or without MODS, often necessitates supportive management like RRT, ventilatory support, and ECMO.

Bio-evaluation of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles loaded with radiolabelled rifampicin.

Aims: The poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles of tubercular drugs have been demonstrated to have a sustained release profile over 7 days. There is no information on the location or mode of release of these nanoparticles in living systems. Therefore, we have planned the study to explore the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of PLGA rifampicin nanoparticles in healthy human volunteers.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Orthopaedic Implant Removal: What Does the Evidence Say?

Unlabelled: Orthopaedic implant removal is considered a sterile procedure, but the current literature suggests it is associated with around a 20% Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rate. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis is still ambiguous and contentious. Taking into consideration this issue we conducted a meta-analysis for the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in orthopaedic implant removal surgery.

Comparison of 4D computed tomography and F-18 fluorocholine PET for localisation of parathyroid lesions in primary hyperparathyroidism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) is the standard of care for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Four dimensional computed tomography(4DCT) and F-18 Fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FCH PET/CT) localize adenomas accurately to perform MIP. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and metanalysis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 4DCT and FCH PET/CT scan for quadrant wise localisation in PHPT patients and to do head-to-head comparison between these two modalities.

Single ascending dose safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic study of econazole in healthy volunteers.

Introduction: Econazole has been found efficacious as antitubercular in in vitro and in vivo animal studies. However, limited information is available for its safety and pharmacokinetics in humans. In our present study we have conducted single ascending dose, safety, and pharmacokinetic evaluation in healthy human volunteers with the purpose of enabling translation for tuberculosis.

Shortage of essential antimicrobials: a major challenge to global health security.

The lack of access to safe and effective antimicrobials for human populations is a threat to global health security and a contributor to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The increasingly common shortages of antimicrobials are an additional threat to the emergence of AMR. While the threat of such drug shortages is most acutely experienced in low-income and middle-income settings, their consequences impact the quality and effectiveness of antimicrobials worldwide.

Host Cell and SARS-CoV-2-Associated Molecular Structures and Factors as Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus, referred to as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which belongs to the realm , order , family , genus and the species . This viral disease is characterized by a myriad of varying symptoms, such as pyrexia, cough, hemoptysis, dyspnoea, diarrhea, muscle soreness, dysosmia, lymphopenia and dysgeusia amongst others. The virus mainly infects humans, various other mammals, avian species and some other companion livestock.

System for administering and monitoring hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis for COVID-19 in accordance with a national advisory: preliminary experience of a tertiary care institute in India.

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was one of the earliest drugs to be recommended for tackling the COVID-19 threat leading to its widespread usage. We provide preliminary findings of the system, established in a tertiary care academic center for the administration of HCQ prophylaxis to healthcare workers (HCW) based on Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) advisory.

Methods: A dedicated clinical pharmacology and internal medicine team screened for contraindications, administered informed consent, maintained compliance and monitored for adverse events.

Assessment of Appropriateness of Antimicrobial Therapy in Resource-Constrained Settings: Development and Piloting of a Novel Tool-AmRAT.

Inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing is considered to be the leading cause of high burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in resource-constrained lower- and middle-income countries. Under its global action plan, the World Health Organization has envisaged tackling the AMR threat through promotion of rational antibiotic use among prescribers. Given the lack of consensus definitions and other associated challenges, we sought to devise and validate an Antimicrobial Rationality Assessment Tool-AmRAT-for standardizing the assessment of appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing.

and evaluation of clastogenicity of second-line antitubercular drug loaded PLGA nanoparticles.

Sustained release nanoformulations of second line antitubercular drugs levofloxacin and ethionamide had shown promise in pharmacokinetics and acute and sub-acute toxicity studies. The present study evaluated the clastogenicity potential of the nanoformulations of these antitubercular agents. Clastogenicity was evaluated by (a) in vitro micronucleus assay (b) in vivo micronucleus assay in Swiss albino mice and (c) sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in CHO cell lines.

A meta-analysis to assess usefulness of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic usage for decision making.

Background & Objectives: Development of antibacterial resistance and its association with antibiotic overuse makes it necessary to identify a specific and sensitive biomarker for the diagnosis of bacterial infection and guiding antibiotic therapy. Procalcitonin (PCT), as a sepsis biomarker, may play a role in guiding antibiotics treatment in hospital settings. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to analyze the utility of PCT on various outcomes of interest in inpatients.