Sentinel Project Publications – Page 2

03 Jul

Novel pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis medications: a case study

Members of the Advocacy Task Force have published a report entitled “Novel pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis medications: a case study.” The paper was published online in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. The aim of this paper is to present the development of a child-friendly delivery system for second-line medications.

Full reference: Furin J, Brigden G, Lessem E, Becerra MC. Novel pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis medications: a case study. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013 Sep;17(9):1239-41. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.13.0196. Epub 2013 Jul 3.

11 Apr

Consensus statement on research definitions for drug-resistant tuberculosis in children

We are delighted to announce and share a new resource emerging from our network’s collaboration, “Consensus Statement on Research Definitions for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Children.” The paper was published online in the Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society yesterday and the full reference is below. It was written by a Sentinel Project Task Force led by James Seddon. The aim of this paper is to advance a consistent terminology for use in research that we hope will result in more comparable data about children with DR-TB which can lead to more efficient syntheses and collective learning.

We also want to thank Professors Anneke Hesseling and Simon Schaaf of Stellenbosch University who provided funds to cover the costs of making this article immediately ‘Open Access.’

Full reference: Seddon JA, Perez-Velez CM, Schaaf HS, Furin JJ, Marais BJ, Tebruegge M, Detjen A, Hesseling AC, Shah S, Adams LV, Starke JR, Swaminathan S, Becerra MC, on behalf of the Sentinel Project on Pediatric Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis. Consensus statement on research definitions for drug-resistant tuberculosis in children. Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, first published online April 10, 2013. doi:10.1093/jpids/pit012

20 Mar

We Can Heal | Prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and support: Addressing drug-resistant tuberculosis in children

This collection of 30 stories from 30 countries identifies what the TB community needs to achieve zero TB deaths, new infections, and suffering—a target recently called for by more than
500 individuals and organizations. Addressing the gaps in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and support that this report outlines will bring us closer to realizing zero child deaths from
drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), a preventable and curable disease.

View a PDF version of the document here: “We Can Heal | Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, Care and Support: Addressing Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Children” (March, 2013)

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.

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)