A5056769721- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
- Global Health and Surgery
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Ethics in Clinical Research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Inhalation and Respiratory Drug Delivery
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
2016-2025
University of Bern
2016-2025
University Hospital of Bern
2023-2025
Zero to Three
2022
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
2010-2016
University of Basel
2010-2016
Capital Medical University
2014
University Hospital of Zurich
2009
University of Zurich
2009
ABSTRACT Immigrants from regions with a high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) are risk group for TB in low-incidence countries such as Switzerland. In previous analysis nationwide collection 520 Mycobacterium isolates 2000 to 2008, we identified 35 clusters comprising 90 patients based on standard genotyping (24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit–variable-number tandem-repeat [MIRU-VNTR] typing and spoligotyping). Here, used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revisit these...
Background. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is increasingly used in molecular-epidemiological investigations of bacterial pathogens, despite cost- and time-intensive analyses. We combined strain-specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing targeted WGS to investigate a tuberculosis cluster spanning 21 years Bern, Switzerland. Methods. On the basis genome sequences 3 historical outbreak Mycobacterium isolates, we developed SNP-typing assay identify further cases. screened 1642 patient...
The phylogeographic population structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis suggests local adaptation to sympatric human populations. We hypothesized that HIV infection, which induces immunodeficiency, will alter the relationship between M. and its host. To test this hypothesis, we performed a nine-year nation-wide molecular-epidemiological study HIV–infected HIV–negative patients with (TB) 2000 2008 in Switzerland. analyzed 518 TB whom 112 (21.6%) were 233 (45.0%) born Europe. found among...
Whole-genome sequencing allows rapid detection of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. However, the availability high-quality data linking quantitative phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) and genomic have thus far been limited.
The Lineage 2–Beijing (L2–Beijing) sub-lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has received much attention due to its high virulence, fast disease progression, and association with antibiotic resistance. Despite several reports the recent emergence L2–Beijing in Africa, no study investigated evolutionary history this on continent. In study, we used whole genome sequences 781 L2 clinical strains from 14 geographical regions globally distributed investigate origins onward spread lineage Africa....
Abstract Introduction Extrapulmonary tuberculosis ( EPTB ) is difficult to confirm bacteriologically and requires specific diagnostic capacities. Diagnosis can be especially challenging in under‐resourced settings. We studied modalities clinical outcomes of compared pulmonary PTB among HIV ‐positive adults antiretroviral therapy ART programmes low‐ middle‐income countries LMIC ). Methods collected data from TB patients (≥16 years) 22 participating the International Epidemiology Databases...
Drug resistance threatens global tuberculosis control. We aimed to examine mortality in patients with from high-burden countries, according concordance or discordance of results drug susceptibility testing done locally and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). In this multicentre cohort study, we collected pulmonary Mycobacterium isolates clinical data individuals antiretroviral therapy programmes clinics Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, South Africa, Thailand,...
Background Tuberculosis (TB) mortality declined in the northern hemisphere over last 200 years, but peaked during Russian (1889) and Spanish (1918) influenza pandemics. We studied impact of these two pandemics on TB mortality. Methods retrieved historic data from registers for city Bern countrywide Switzerland. used Poisson regression models to quantify excess pulmonary (PTB) attributable influenza. Results Yearly PTB rates increased both Monthly winter early spring. In Bern, an increase 100...
Abstract Introduction : Chronic immune activation due to ongoing HIV replication may lead impaired responses against opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis (TB). We studied the role of a risk factor for incident TB after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods included all HIV‐positive adult patients (≥16 years) in care between 2000 and 2014 at three ART programmes South Africa. Patients with previous were excluded. Missing CD4 cell counts HIV‐RNA viral loads start (baseline)...
In settings with high tuberculosis (TB) endemicity, distinct genotypes of the Mycobacterium complex (MTBC) often differ in prevalence. However, factors leading to these differences remain poorly understood. Here we studied MTBC population Dar es Salaam, Tanzania over a six-year period, using 1,082 unique patient-derived whole-genome sequences (WGS) and associated clinical data. We show that TB epidemic Salaam is dominated by multiple introduced from different parts world during last 300...
Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading infectious cause of death globally. It the most common opportunistic infection in people living with HIV, and their morbidity mortality. Following TB treatment, surviving individuals may be at risk for post-TB lung disease. The Sentinel Research Network (TB-SRN) provides platform coordinated observational research within International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium. This prospective, cohort study will assess treatment post-treatment...
Abstract Background Monitoring drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is essential to curb the spread of (TB). Unfortunately, susceptibility testing currently not available Papua New Guinea (PNG) and that impairs TB control this country. We report for first time M. mutations associated with second-line anti-TB drugs Madang, PNG. A molecular cluster analysis was performed identify transmission region. Results Phenotypic tests showed 15.7% at least one 5.2% multidrug resistant (MDR) TB....
Abstract Introduction COVID‐19 stretched healthcare systems to their limits, particularly in settings with a pre‐existing high burden of infectious diseases, including HIV and tuberculosis (TB). We studied the impact on TB services at antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics low‐ middle‐income countries. Methods surveyed ART providing International Epidemiology Databases Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium Africa Asia‐Pacific until July 2021 (TB diagnoses end 2021). collected site‐level data using...
Background The COVID-19 pandemic challenged healthcare systems, particularly in settings with high infectious disease burden. We examined the postpandemic long-term impacts of on tuberculosis (TB) services at anti-retroviral therapy (ART) clinics lower-income countries. Methods Using standardised online questionnaires, we conducted a cross-sectional site survey among ART providing TB Africa and Asia from July to September 2023 (site-level information number diagnoses tests). Results Of 45...
World Health Organization advocates for integration of HIV-tuberculosis (TB) services and recommends intensive case finding (ICF), isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), infection control ("Three I's") TB prevention among persons living with HIV.To assess the implementation "Three I's" TB-control at HIV treatment sites in lower income countries.Survey conducted between March-July, 2012 47 26 countries: 6 (13%) Asia Pacific, 7 (15%), Caribbean, Central South America, 5 (10%) Africa, 8 (17%) East...
Management of tuberculosis (TB) is challenging in HIV/TB-coinfected children. The World Health Organization recommends nucleic acid amplification tests for TB diagnosis, a 4-drug regimen including ethambutol during intensive phase (IP) treatment, and initiation antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 8 weeks diagnosis. We investigated treatment outcomes by diagnostic modality, IP regimen, ART status.We conducted retrospective cohort study among children enrolled at the International Epidemiology...
A previously undescribed, rapid-growing, non-chromogenic Mycobacterium isolate from a goat lung lesion in Algeria is reported. Biochemical and molecular tools were used for its complete description showed affiliation to the terrae complex. 16S rRNA, rpoB hsp65 gene sequences unique. Phylogenetic analyses close relationship with M. sensu stricto senuense. Culture biochemical characteristics generally similar those of However, contrast senuense, was positive urease production had faster...
The incidence of human brucellosis in Kyrgyzstan has been increasing the last years and was identified as a priority disease needing most urgent control measures livestock population. latest species identification Brucella isolates carried out 1960s investigated circulation abortus, B. melitensis, ovis, suis. However, supporting data documentation that experience are lacking. Therefore, typing spp. important host necessary for understanding main transmission routes to adopt an effective...
In resource-constrained settings, tuberculosis (TB) is a common opportunistic infection and cause of death in HIV-infected persons. TB may be present at the start antiretroviral therapy (ART), but it often under-diagnosed. We describe approaches to diagnosis screening ART programs low- middle-income countries.We surveyed treating adults sub-Saharan Africa, Asia Latin America 2012 using online questionnaires collect program-level patient-level data. Forty-seven sites from 26 countries...
Introduction Timely descriptions of HIV service characteristics and their evolution over time across diverse settings are important for monitoring the scale-up evidence-based program strategies, understanding implementation landscape, examining delivery factors that influence care outcomes. Methods The International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium undertakes periodic cross-sectional surveys on availability at participating treatment sites characterize trends inform...
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country of the WHO Western Pacific Region, but so far research on drug resistance (DR) and genotypes Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis) was only conducted in few provinces country. The aim present study to obtain baseline data level genotypic diversity circulating M. additional investigate differences between three selected sites across PNG. Genotyping 147 clinical isolates collected Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Alotau, Milne Bay...