Frontiers in tuberculosis最新文献

{"title":"<i>Mycobacteria</i> as evolutionary drivers of host innate immunity: insights from comparing experimental host models.","authors":"Mariona Cortacans, Pere-Joan Cardona","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1735950","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1735950","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The genus <i>Mycobacterium</i> exerts a strong selective force, shaping the evolution and structure of innate immune systems across various hosts and revealing overarching, conserved principles of host defense. Despite their phylogenetic distance, amoebae, nematodes, insects, wax moth larvae, and zebrafish share fundamental innate immune strategies while also exhibiting key differences in tissue organization, immune complexity, and the presence or absence of adaptive immunity. This comparative review synthesizes insights from these systems to highlight both the conserved mechanisms that mycobacteria repeatedly exploit and the lineage-specific features that shape host susceptibility. Amoebae demonstrate ancient, cell-autonomous defenses, including nutritional immunity through metal trafficking (Nramp1/zinc intoxication) and membrane repair pathways (ESCRT/autophagy) against the ESX-1 system. Moving to metazoans, the importance of conserved signaling, such as the p38 MAPK (PMK-1) pathway in <i>C. elegans</i>, becomes evident, which <i>M. marinum</i> actively suppresses via VHP-1. In other invertebrates, such as <i>Drosophila</i>, integrated immunometabolism is present, in which disruption of the Akt-FOXO axis causes a conserved wasting syndrome, and <i>Galleria</i> mimics chronic TB pathology by forming granuloma-like structures with lipid-accumulating hemocytes and demonstrating innate immune priming. Larval zebrafish, which depend solely on innate immunity, show pathogen-driven granuloma formation and spread, with ESX-1 mediating pro-necrotic cell death and the Asc-dependent inflammasome contributing to restriction. Overall, these cross-species comparisons demonstrate how mycobacteria exploit foundational host mechanisms while revealing the evolutionary breadth and limits of innate immune strategies across the animal kingdom.</p>","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1735950"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13494977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementing TB-Stigma reduction interventions in High Burden Countries: a perspective on a conceptual framework.","authors":"Bushra Bibi, Mark Goodall, Injety Ranjit, Stephanie Jones, Colette Miller","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1721361","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1721361","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable, curable disease but still impacts people in high-burden countries, who face challenges, including stigma, in accessing and engaging with healthcare services. The Nuttall's review examined the quality of existing TB-stigma intervention studies and developed a conceptual framework of pathways to stigma reduction. We critically appraised the methods used and expanded upon these findings in the context of the WHO End TB Strategy. The included studies showed significant heterogeneity in design, aims, populations, type of TB-stigma targeted and took place across diverse countries. Only three of 11 studies were rated as high quality. This systematic review synthesized existing interventions and outcomes into a conceptual framework outlining pathways to reduce TB-stigma. The conceptual framework highlights the need for educational, emotional, and psychosocial support for TB patients, Health Care Workers, and Communities, and provides a useful guide of pathways needed in TB-stigma reduction interventions. However, to be effective, stigma reduction interventions must be part of a well-organized, and committed multi-sectoral collaboratives, which extend beyond national and global TB programs, including mental health services, social support systems, and public health programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1721361"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13495001/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Low treatment completion rates reveal gaps in the LTBI care cascade among university students.","authors":"Anu K Murthy, Richard A Goodman, Miranda A Moore","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1710215","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1710215","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>University students, particularly those from tuberculosis (TB)-endemic countries and students in health professions, are at increased risk for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). In the United States (U.S.), TB screening is required for applicants for permanent residency and refugee status but not for individuals entering on student visas, and institutional policies vary. At our university, which requires pre-matriculation TB screening for all incoming students, low LTBI treatment completion rates prompted a review of care delivery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective chart review of students diagnosed with LTBI at a medium-sized private university from 2018 to 2023. Records identified by ICD-10 codes were reviewed for demographics, school enrollment, testing method, regimen, and treatment outcome.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 687 students with TB-related visits, 82 (12%) were diagnosed with LTBI. Median age was 27 years (interquartile range 23-31); 55% were female and 65% were non-U.S.-born, most often from China and India. Students represented nine schools, with Medicine (17%) and Nursing (14%) comprising about one-third of cases. Forty-eight students (59%) initiated treatment, while 34 (41%) did not, primarily due to declining therapy or incomplete follow-up. Among those treated, 22 (46%) completed therapy, corresponding to 27% overall. Completion was highest for nine months of isoniazid (88%) and lowest for 4 months of rifampin (17%). Several documentation and follow-up gaps were identified.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Losses across the LTBI care cascade were common in this university setting and reflect patterns reported in other U.S. and international studies. Strengthening education, follow-up, access to shorter regimens, and documentation may improve completion rates and support TB elimination goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1710215"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13494968/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting treatment adherence in patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis: insights from socioeconomic, demographic, and clinical factors of patients in the rural Eastern Cape.","authors":"Lindiwe Modest Faye, Mojisola Clara Hosu, Ntandazo Dlatu, Joshua Iruedo, Teke Apalata","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1659333","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1659333","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) poses a serious challenge to global health. Patients must follow complex medication regimens over long periods, and any failure to comply with these treatment plans can result in treatment failure, higher mortality rates, and an increased risk of developing additional drug resistance.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted in the rural Eastern Cape.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aims to identify the key factors influencing treatment adherence among patients with DR-TB. Furthermore, it rigorously evaluates the predictive accuracy of machine learning models in assessing treatment adherence, with a strong focus on socioeconomic, demographic, and clinical factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with DR-TB. Data were collected from medical records. Four different models were developed and tested to evaluate their effectiveness in predicting treatment adherence: Random Forest, Logistic regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Gradient Boosting.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Random Forest model achieved an accuracy of 53.3% in predicting treatment adherence. An analysis of feature importance indicated that age, income, education, social history, patient category, and comorbidities were the most significant factors influencing adherence. Patients with higher incomes, higher levels of education, and fewer comorbidities were more likely to follow their treatment plans.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Adhering to treatment for DR-TB involves a range of socioeconomic and clinical factors. Income, education level, and pre-existing health conditions significantly influence how well patients follow their prescribed treatment regimens. Understanding these influences is crucial for enhancing treatment outcomes and facilitating patients' journey toward improved health.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>These findings suggest that machine-learning models, especially Random Forest algorithms, can effectively support clinical decision-making by identifying patients at risk of non-adherence to their treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1659333"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491431/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Country-level heterogeneity in MDR-TB drug susceptibility supports country-specific policy development.","authors":"Naomi M Fuller, Nicholas G Davies, Timothy D McHugh, Gwenan M Knight","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1667354","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1667354","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The global challenge of tuberculosis (TB) is exacerbated by multidrug-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB), confounded by country-level differences in TB prevention and care. The impact of local differences in drug-resistance selection pressure and transmission may be observed by analyzing distributions of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Using the Bedaquiline Drug-Resistance Emergence Assessment in MDR-TB (DREAM) dataset, we analyzed MIC distributions derived from a standard protocol across 11 countries and 12 antibiotics to explore country-level variation in drug susceptibility.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed 71,135 MICs from 5,928 MDR/RR-TB isolates sampled from bedaquiline-naive patients. We compared MIC distributions across countries and WHO resistance classes, then used Spearman rank correlations to compare the drug-susceptibility within individual isolates by country. To explore the effect of bedaquiline use on resistance, we used linear regression to compare bedaquiline MICs with WHO data on bedaquiline usage.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MIC distributions between countries were heterogeneous, especially for fluoroquinolones and isoniazid. The correlation analysis revealed a relationship between bedaquiline and clofazimine MICs in six countries. Analysis of isolates by resistance class demonstrated that XDR-TB isolates had higher MICs than MDR-TB isolates for antibiotics not part of the XDR definition. We found limited evidence to suggest that past bedaquiline usage at the national level led to raised bedaquiline MICs in patients not exposed to the drug.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our research shows clear variations in drug susceptibility within <i>M. tuberculosis</i> across different countries and resistance classes, providing evidence of distinct drug-susceptibility dynamics per country. This expands the evidence for MDR-TB country differences and supports further country-specific policy development.</p>","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1667354"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491440/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Targeted transcriptomic analyses of tuberculosis treatment response and outcomes in The Gambia.","authors":"Ismaila L Manneh, Fatoumatta Darboe, Haddijatou Jobe, Binta Sarr Kuyateh, Ousainou Cham, Olumuyiwa Owolabi, Brezesky Kotanmi, Andrea Rachow, Salome Charalambous, Kathrin Held, Hazel M Dockrell, Jayne S Sutherland","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1540194","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1540194","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite availability of effective treatment regimens for drug-susceptible Tuberculosis (TB), some patients still experience poor treatment outcomes. Currently tools for monitoring treatment outcomes are dependent on detection of mycobacteria in sputum, which are slow, expensive and poor at predicting relapse and failure. This study aims to identify new blood-derived markers for predicting treatment response and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Whole blood was collected in PAXgene tubes from patients with microbiologically confirmed TB at diagnosis, week 2, and at months 2, 4, and 6. Treatment response and outcomes were determined by culture and gene expression was compared between slow and fast responders; and between patients with good (cured) and poor treatment outcomes (failure and recurrent TB) using targeted RNA gene expression. Gene signatures were developed using random forest classification models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant changes in gene expression were detected over the course of the TB treatment. Notably, major gene expression differences were observed at diagnosis between subsequently cured patients and patients who experienced poor treatment outcomes while minimal changes were detected between slow and fast responders among cured patients at diagnosis. A 7-gene end of treatment signature distinguished patients with good outcomes from those with poor treatment outcomes with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 (95% CI 0.85-0.99), 0.98 (95% CI 0.96-0.99), and 1.0 (95% CI 0.99-1.00), at baseline, month 2 and 6, respectively. Additionally, a 6-gene month 2 signature discriminates slow from fast responders with AUCs of 0.49 (95% CI 0.33-0.64), 0.58 (95% CI 0.07-1.00), and 0.93 (95% CI 0.78-1.00) at diagnosis, week 2 and month 2, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study identified genes signatures associated with TB treatment response and outcomes suggesting potential utility for treatment monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1540194"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13489619/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The value of LAM and LprG in extracellular vesicles in the diagnostic and therapeutic field of renal tuberculosis.","authors":"Xuefeng Peng, Yue Li, Suiyang Jin, Qiang Wang","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1608780","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1608780","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extracellular vesicles have been a hot research topic in recent years, and the diagnostic and therapeutic value of LprG and LAM, two key markers present in extracellular vesicles secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected immune cells, in tuberculosis, has been widely emphasized in recent years. Genitourinary tuberculosis is a common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and renal tuberculosis accounts for more than 20% of patients with Genitourinary tuberculosis. In this paper, we summarize the findings and research ideas of LprG and LAM in the diagnosis and treatment of renal tuberculosis in recent years and conclude that LprG and LAM have their unique diagnostic value in the intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary fields and can be used as a new potential idea for vaccine or immunotherapy in the future for research.</p>","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1608780"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491447/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding TB prevention and treatment among college students in Wuhan, central China.","authors":"Gang Wu, Chao Quan, Aiping Yu, Li Li, Jun Chen, Yun Yang, Guiyang Wang, Zhouqin Lu, Xiaojun Wang, Qionghong Duan, Haoze Zhang, Jing Hu, Zhengbin Zhang","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1587839","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1587839","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Tuberculosis (TB) is recognized as a serious public health concern in many developing countries. As the new main force and inheritors of national health construction, college students bear important social responsibilities and missions of practicing TB prevention and control, volunteer mobilization, and health concept dissemination. Improving college students' health literacy is crucial to preventing and treating infectious diseases. This study aims to assess college students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about TB prevention and treatment in Wuhan, China.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;A descriptive cross-sectional study survey among college students was conducted from May to June 2022 at 22 colleges using the judgment sampling method in Wuhan. KAP regarding TB was recorded and assessed using an online questionnaire platform. The status quo of KAP regarding TB prevention and treatment was statistically described, and the formation of students' TB prevention and treatment behavior was analyzed using single-factor and multifactor logistic regression.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;A total of 15,290 college students completed the questionnaire, and 15,272 valid questionnaires were collected. The total awareness rate of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of TB prevention and treatment was 79.69%. Among them, the awareness rate of key knowledge was 79.28%, and the passing rate was 92.46%. The holding rate of correct attitudes was 89.69%, and the passing rate was 90.56%. The formation rate of correct behaviors was 72.11%, and the passing rate was 96.62%. A single-factor analysis showed that gender, grade, parents' education level, contact history of TB patients, and passing rate of key knowledge were statistically different in the formation of prevention and treatment behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that for females (odds ratio [OR] = 1.86, 95% CI [1.50, 2.30], &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01), students with father's educational background of primary school (OR = 2.94, 95%CI [1.62, 5.33], &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01), junior school and equivalent (OR = 2.94, 95%CI [1.62, 5.33], &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01), high school and equivalent (OR = 3.05, 95%CI [1.70, 5.46], &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01), and diploma or undergraduate (OR = 3.24, 95% CI [1.73, 6.09], &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01); no history of TB (OR = 3.32, 95% CI [1.49, 7.41], &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01); a passing key knowledge score (OR = 9.91, 95% CI [8.11, 12.11], &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01); and a passing attitude score (OR = 7.35, 95% CI [6.01, 8.99], &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01) were likely to form TB prevention and treatment behaviors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;School health promotion should not only focus on improving students' personal knowledge and skills of TB prevention and treatment but also emphasize the level of family participation, strengthen the comprehensive mobilization action of schools, formulate policies to support health action, create a supportive social environment, and radiate the","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1587839"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491423/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk factors associated with multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in patients over 15 years old: a retrospective case-control study.","authors":"Odete Bambi Receado, Paulo Ney Solary, Emanuel Catumbela, Carlos Alberto Pinto de Sousa","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1608364","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1608364","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Multidrug-Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) represents a serious public health problem, hindering disease control and increasing morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with MDR-TB in patients over 15 years old at the Sanatorium Hospital of Luanda during the period 2015-2016.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective case-control study (1:1) was conducted with 500 participants, including 250 cases (MDR-TB) and 250 controls (drug-sensitive TB). Data were obtained from clinical records and analyzed using logistic regression in Epi-Info 7.2.1.0 software, considering a significance level of <i>p</i> < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MDR-TB was more prevalent in men (61.6%), in the age group 20-29 years (36.8%), and among employed individuals (73.2%). The associated risk factors were irregular medication adherence [odds ratio (OR) = 12.3; <i>p</i> < 0.001], previous TB treatment (OR = 9.0; <i>p</i> < 0.001), contact with an MDR-TB patient (OR = 4.1; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and lower educational level (OR = 2.1; <i>p</i> = 0.03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Irregular adherence to treatment and a history of previous TB were the main factors associated with MDR-TB, reinforcing the need for effective strategies to ensure treatment follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1608364"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491422/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing use of data and evidence-related tools to complement routine surveillance systems for tuberculosis program planning.","authors":"Rachel M Fiorillo, Eveline Klinkenberg, Christina Braccio, Daniel Chin, Stavia Turyahabwe, Moses Arinaitwe, Razia Fatima, Taye Letta, Binh Hoa Nguyen, Aiban Ronoh, Charalambos Sismanidis, Nnamdi B Nwaneri, Kenneth G Castro, Kathy Fiekert, Fukushi Morishita, Suvanand Sahu, Sevim Ahmedov, Harry Hausler, Anand Date, Jennifer B Harris","doi":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1622167","DOIUrl":"10.3389/ftubr.2025.1622167","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Challenges and gaps with routine tuberculosis (TB) data and surveillance systems are well-known. To address them, numerous TB data and evidence-related tools (e.g. surveys, assessments) have been developed to help countries collect, analyze, and use TB-related data. The \"TB Data Optimization Project\" aimed to assess the use and usefulness of these tools and propose best practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Phase one of this mixed-methods project included structured key informant interviews (KIIs) with TB data experts, literature review, and mapping tools' indicators and metrics. Phase two consisted of case studies in five countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, Uganda, and Vietnam). Structured KIIs and a use case discussion were conducted with TB program staff and partners in each country, and TB-related documents were reviewed. Phase three was an online survey for national TB programs. Qualitative data were recorded, transcribed, coded, and inductively analyzed. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. Findings were triangulated and summarized into key themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seventy-two KIIs were conducted, 42 countries completed surveys, and 212 documents were reviewed. Six key themes emerged: usefulness, opportunities and challenges with planning and implementation, technical assistance and financial support, timing and coordination, motivating factors for implementation, and the role of tools in relation to routine data systems. The tools provide critical information and most were considered worth the investment. Challenges include suboptimal implementation of the recommendations from the tools, poor timing and coordination of implementation, and insufficient capacity building. A set of best practices was developed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While the long-term goal is to strengthen and integrate routine data systems, TB data tools currently play an important role in filling gaps. Findings from this project provide considerations for optimal use of TB data tools; however, there is still need for further guidance on selecting the most critical tools to fill gaps during TB programmatic and strategic planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":101354,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tuberculosis","volume":"3 ","pages":"1622167"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491421/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}