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Nhiễm
Lao và HIV The Asia-Pacific region is home to more than two-third of the world's TB burden, according to the Global Tuberculosis Control report (see link 1 below) of World Health Organization (WHO, March 2008). More than eight percent of the new TB infections are in PLHIV. More importantly, the vulnerability of PLHIV to drug-resistant TB is significantly higher owing to their immune suppression. Directly-observed treatment short-course (see link 2 below) is the internationally recommended TB control strategy that includes standardized case detection, treatment and patient support. It requires consistent drug supply and effective monitoring systems. According to WHO, drug resistant TB is a symptom of poor programme performance of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS). Drug-resistant TB has been recorded in the world at the highest levels ever according to the WHO report - Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance in the World, February 2008 (see link 3 below). If we hope to change the outcome, and decrease the proportion of drug resistant TB, doesn't the DOTS model need to be adapted or its implementation improved? More of the same might only compound the TB drug resistance threat. Countries in Asia-Pacific region are expanding coverage of DOTS at record-breaking speed. In its shadow, drug resistance is also upping the pace. Unless we significantly improve the programme performance of DOTS and respond effectively to prevent and control drug-resistant TB, especially among PLHIV, how will we achieve the Millennium Development Goal on HIV/AIDS – 'to halt and reverse the spread of the epidemic by 2015' and the Universal Access commitment "for scaling up HIV prevention, treatment, care and support with the aim of coming as close as possible to the goal of universal access to treatment by 2010 for all those who need it." Multi drug-resistant TB (see link 4 below) is defined as TB with resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most powerful first line anti-TB drugs. Multi drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients have significantly poor outcomes than patients with drug susceptible TB. Global estimates indicate that about 5% of TB cases were of MDR-TB (about half a million MDR-TB patients). About 50% of the world's MDR-TB cases are in India and China. Currently treatment is available only to one out of ten MDR-TB patients and 90% of MDR-TB patients cannot have access to treatment they need today. Extensively drug-resistant TB (see link 4 below) is virtually untreatable and likely to emerge where second-line anti-TB drugs are widely and inappropriately used. XDR-TB is more expensive and difficult to treat than MDR-TB and outcomes for patients are much worse with mortality rates very high. Transmission of TB, especially the drug-resistant strains is more likely to take place where PLHIV congregate. Healthcare settings, for example those for anti-retroviral (ARV) delivery, is one such place where improper infection control can put PLHIV at risk of contracting TB. Improving infection control in congregated settings (like hospitals/ clinics, prisons) is clearly vital, doable and potentially life saving. Developing laboratories to provide rapid diagnosis of anti-TB drug-resistance, particularly for PLHIV, is of utmost importance to improve TB responses. Most countries in Asia-Pacific, even don't have adequate number of drug-susceptibility testing laboratories to diagnose MDR-TB or XDR-TB, forget about treatment facilities! Not only more and better TB drugs and diagnostics in the public sector are urgently needed but also better strategies to make TB prevention and treatment programmes work more effectively especially for PLHIV. It will be vital to hear from those on the frontlines fighting TB and HIV in Asia and the Pacific to share their experiences. Bs Huỳnh Đỗ Phi Nhiễm Lao và HIV – Bs Huỳnh Đỗ Phi Bs Nguyễn Văn Đích phiên dịch Bệnh Lao vẫn tiếp tục, không những là bệnh nhiễm trùng
cơ hội thường gặp nhất mà còn là nguyên nhân hàng đầu gây tử vong cho
người sống với HIV. Copyright, 2008. Muốn phổ biến bài viết này, cần xin phép tác giả và xin ghi rõ nguồn Y Dược Ngày Nay, www.yduocngaynay.com |
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