Author Archives: Sentinel Project

14 Nov

Workshop 06: Preventing child deaths from drug resistant tuberculosis

Wednesday, 14 November 2012, 9:00 – 12:30, Room: 409

43rd Union World Conference on Lung Health, 13-17 November 2012, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Workshop sponsored by Médecins Sans Frontières

Description

Children with drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) are a population who have been largely overlooked by TB programmes as well as by international policy makers and researchers. There is an urgent need to address this gap. This workshop aims to provide participants with an update on recent initiatives targeting DR-TB in children, as well as demonstrating practical approaches to overcome current challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, this workshop will review the research agenda, including studies that are planned or on-going, define what the urgent needs are and discuss how participants can become actively involved.

Presentations

1. An introduction to the Sentinel Project on Paediatric Drug Resistant Tuberculosis

Mercedes Becerra (USA)

2. Research meeting the needs of children with DR-TB: an update on progress

Soumya Swaminathan (India)

3. Introducing DR-TB diagnosis and treatment for children into TB programmes: a case study from Tajikistan

Bern-Thomas Nyang’wa (UK)

4. The use of practical tools and approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of children with DR-TB

James Seddon (UK)

5. Children in the evolving TB epidemic: future perspectives and priorities

Ben Marais (Australia)

Coordinators: Grania Brigden (UK), Mercedes Becerra (USA)

Chair: Stephen M. Graham (Australia)

02 Sep

Caring for children with drug-resistant tuberculosis: Practice-based recommendations

The management of children with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is challenging, and it is likely that in many places, the roll-out of molecular diagnostic testing will lead to more children being diagnosed. There is a limited evidence base to guide optimal treatment and follow-up in the pediatric population; in existing DR-TB guidelines, the care of children is often relegated to small “special populations” sections.

This article seeks to address this gap by providing clinicians with practical advice and guidance. This is achieved through review of the available literature on pediatric DR-TB, including research studies and international guidelines, combined with consensus opinion from a team of experts who have extensive experience in the care of children with DR-TB in a wide variety of contexts and with varying resources. The review covers treatment initiation, regimen design and treatment duration, management of comorbid conditions, treatment monitoring, adverse events, adherence promotion, and infection control, all within a multidisciplinary environment.

Read more about it here.

Full Reference: Seddon JA, Furin JJ, Gale M, Del Castillo Barrientos H, Hurtado RM, Amanullah F, Ford N, Starke JR, Schaaf HS. Caring for children with drug-resistant tuberculosis: Practice-based recommendations. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012; 186(10):953-964.

Download the PDF here.

20 Mar

Being brave: Stories of children with drug-resistant tuberculosis

When it comes to drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB), the global community is failing to “get it right.” Millions of people around the world suffer from this dangerous, yet treatable, infectious disease. Yet, in over a decade, less than 1% of those with DR-TB have been diagnosed and treated.* Children bear a disproportionate burden of this disease, and are far less likely than adults with DR-TB to have access to appropriate care.

This collection of stories gives voice to the children from around the world featured in it, and to the thousands more like them who face the challenges of fighting DR-TB every day. It is also a global call to action. These stories invite all of us to join children with DRTB and their families and caregivers in the struggle for better diagnosis and treatment. It is the first step toward “getting it right” for children with TB.

“Being Brave: Stories of Children with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis” (March, 2012)

09 Mar

In memory of Dr. Tengiz Gvasalia

Dr. Tengiz Gvasalia, head of pediatric TB programs in the country of Georgia, died on February 13, 2012 at the age of 65. Dr. Gvasalia was a compassionate pediatric TB provider who saved the lives of hundreds of children with TB in Georgia. In addition, he was the first physician to treat children with drug-resistant TB in the country. He was an exemplary doctor, skilled leader, and a masterful teacher. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Gvasalia was a fierce advocate for children with TB.

Dr. Gvasalia was much beloved by those he cared for and it was common to see him surrounded by his young patients and their families outside of the children’s TB hospital in Tbilisi. His warmth was felt by all who encountered him. In addition to providing high quality medical care, Dr. Gvasalia recognized the horrible social conditions faced by many of his patients and their families. He went out of his way to make sure their needs were met–including providing food, housing, clothes, and toys for the families under his care. An avid artist, he taught the children and families in his care to use art as part of their healing. “Without him here,” noted a colleague, “the place is not the same. We have lost our heart.”

Dr. Gvasalia was memorialized at a service on Friday, February 17th held at the National Center for TB and Lung Disease in Tbilisi. A memorial fund has been established in his name to continue to meet the social needs of his patients and their families. In this way, Dr. Gvasalia will continue to provide comfort and health to the smallest victims of TB. For inquiries or to make a donation, please contact Dr. Jennifer Furin (

jj***@ca**.edu











).