1. Home
  2. Infection

Infection

Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection

Author/s: 
Kim, S., Thal, R., Szwarko, D.

In theUS, approximately 13million people have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI),definedaspeoplewhoareinfectedwithMycobacterium
tuberculosiswho do not have symptoms and do not transmit the disease.Without treatment, approximately 5% to 10% of immunocompetent personswithLTBI develop active TB disease in their lifetimes.1
In 2016, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended
screening all at-risk adults older than 18 years for LTBI with a blood
test (interferon-gamma release assay) or a tuberculin skin test. Atrisk individuals include those from TB-endemic regions and those
who are immunocompromised or are starting an immunosuppressive medication, such as tumor necrosis factor antagonists or systemic corticosteroids at a dose of at least 15 mg of prednisone per
day, or take immunosuppressive drugsafter organ transplant.2Evaluation for LTBI should include a medical history, physical examination, and chest radiographic imaging to rule out active TB disease.
After confirmation that active TB is not present, LTBI treatment can
be initiated. This article reviews the 2020 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Tuberculosis Controllers Association LTBI treatment recommendations.1

Keywords 
prednisone Tuberculin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. tuberculosis Infection

Postacute Sequelae of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection A State-of-the-Art Review

Author/s: 
Jiang, D. H., Roy, D. J., Gu, B. J., Hassett, L. C., McCoy, R. G.

The vast majority of patients (>99%) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 survive immediate infection
but remain at risk for persistent and/or delayed multisystem. This review of published reports through May 31, 2021,
found that manifestations of postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (PASC)
affect between 33% and 98% of coronavirus disease 2019 survivors and comprise a wide range of symptoms and
complications in the pulmonary, cardiovascular, neurologic, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems in both adult and pediatric populations. Additional complications are likely to emerge and be identified
over time. Although data on PASC risk factors and vulnerable populations are scarce, evidence points to a disproportionate impact on racial/ethnic minorities, older patients, patients with preexisting conditions, and rural residents.
Concerted efforts by researchers, health systems, public health agencies, payers, and governments are urgently needed
to better understand and mitigate the long-term effects of PASC on individual and population health.
(J Am Coll Cardiol Basic Trans Science 2021;-:-–-) © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American
College of Cardiology Foundation. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Keywords 
COVID-19 coronavirus Postacute Secuelae Acute Respiratory Syndrome Infection

Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Anosmia 1 Year After COVID-19 Diagnosis

Author/s: 
Renaud, Marion, Thibault, Claire, Normand, F. L., Mcdonald, E. G., Gallix, B., Debry, C., Venkatasamy, A.

Since the pandemic was declared in early 2020, COVID-19–related anosmia quickly emerged as a telltale sign of infection.1,2 However, the time course and reversibility of COVID-19–related olfactory disorders, which may persist and negatively affect patients’ lives, require further study. To clarify the clinical course and prognosis, we followed a cohort of patients with COVID-19–related anosmia for 1 year and performed repeated olfactory function evaluations for a subset of patients.

Keywords 
COVID-19 Anosmia diagnosis Infection clinical outcomes
Subscribe to Infection