Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a prevalent risk factor for tuberculosis (TB), but most studies on TB-T2D have focused on TB patients, been limited to one community, and shown a variable impact of T2D on TB risk or treatment outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional assessment of sociodemographic and metabolic factors in adult TB contacts with T2D (versus no T2D), from the Texas-Mexico border to study Hispanics, and in Cape Town to study South African Coloured ethnicities. The prevalence of T2D was 30.2% in Texas-Mexico and 17.4% in South Africa, with new diagnosis in 34.4% and 43.9%, respectively. Contacts with T2D differed between ethnicities, with higher smoking, hormonal contraceptive use and cholesterol levels in South Africa, and higher obesity in Texas-Mexico (p < 0.05). PCA analysis revealed striking differences between ethnicities in the relationships between factors defining T2D and dyslipidemias. Our findings suggest that screening for new T2D in adult TB contacts is effective to identify new T2D patients at risk for TB. Furthermore, studies aimed at predicting individual TB risk in T2D patients, should take into account the heterogeneity in dyslipidemias that are likely to modify the estimates of TB risk or adverse treatment outcomes that are generally attributed to T2D alone.

The objective of the present work was to evaluate novel active films made with biopolymeric matrices as carriers of a living Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100 strain, a predatory bacterium with antimicrobial potentials against pathogens. Biopolymer films were prepared by a casting method using the following mixtures: collagen/sodium alginate/sorbitol (CA-S), collagen/sodium alginate/glycerol (CA-G), and tapioca starch/sodium alginate/glycerol (StA-G). The effects of the film formulations on the viability of the B. bacteriovorus was investigated by using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM showed that Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus morphology was not altered in the polymeric films. FTIR spectroscopy provided information about the structural composition of the films. CA-S showed less reduction in the viability of B. bacteriovorus after its entrapment; thus, CA-S proved to be a better agent for the immobilization and preservation of B. bacteriovorus to enhance its predatory activities during application against Escherichia coli.

The elderly are understudied despite their high risk of tuberculosis (TB). We sought to identify factors underlying the lack of an association between TB and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the elderly, but not adults. We conducted a case–control study in elderly (≥65 years old; ELD) vs. younger adults (young/middle-aged adults (18–44/45–64 years old; YA|MAA) stratified by TB and T2D, using a research study population (n = 1160) and TB surveillance data (n = 8783). In the research study population the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of TB in T2D was highest in young adults (AOR 6.48) but waned with age becoming non-significant in the elderly. Findings were validated using TB surveillance data. T2D in the elderly (vs. T2D in younger individuals) was characterized by better glucose control (e.g., lower hyperglycemia or HbA1c), lower insulin resistance, more sulphonylureas use, and features of less inflammation (e.g., lower obesity, neutrophils, platelets, anti-inflammatory use). We posit that differences underlying glucose dysregulation and inflammation in elderly vs. younger adults with T2D, contribute to their differential association with TB. Studies in the elderly provide valuable insights into TB-T2D pathogenesis, e.g., here we identified insulin resistance as a novel candidate mechanism by which T2D may increase active TB risk.

La pandemia por COVID-19 impactó en la alimentación y en los estilos de vida saludables. determinar el impacto en la alimentación y el estilo de vida en los universitarios del área de la salud de las zonas fronterizas de México (Tamaulipas y Chiapas) durante el confinamiento por COVID-19. este estudio fue observacional, analítico, comparativo y prospectivo, de corte transversal, con muestreo por conveniencia con 409 estudiantes, 48.7% (199) de Tamaulipas, y 51.3% (210) de Chiapas, se aplicó una encuesta con 30 ítems relacionados con el comportamiento alimentario y estilo de vida. se identificó un aumento de obesidad en Tamaulipas (de 7.5 a 8.5%) y de sobrepeso en el estado de Chiapas (de 21.9 a 24.8%) (p = 0.001). Se observó una disminución de la alimentación saludable durante el confinamiento de un 61.3% a 52.8% en Tamaulipas (p = 0.05), y de un 70.5% a 57.1% en Chiapas (p = 0.001); predominando en la frontera norte el consumo de alimentos ricos en carbohidratos (41.7%) y alimentos ultraprocesados (13.1%), mientras que para la frontera sur se encontró un mayor consumo de frutas y verduras (35.2%) (p = 0.06). En ambas fronteras disminuyeron la actividad física durante el confinamiento de 61.8% a 60.3% Tamaulipas (p = 0.09) y 69.5% a 61.0% Chiapas (p = 0.06). También manifestaron despertar durante la noche el 52.3% y el 52.4% de los estudiantes de Tamaulipas y Chiapas (p = 0.98). la alimentación y el estilo de vida en estudiantes universitarios de zonas fronterizas de México se vieron afectados durante el confinamiento por COVID-19, con una disminución en la percepción de alimentación saludable, aumento en el número de comidas y tendencia a la disminución en el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y actividad física.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health issue requiring early and accurate diagnosis. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay is a promising alternative recommended by the WHO for the initial diagnosis of pulmonary TB, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a commercial LAMP assay for TB detection using 198 samples from different countries including Mexico. The LAMP assay results were compared to the results of standard tests: AFB smear microscopy, cell culture, and Xpert PCR. Across all samples, LAMP showed a sensitivity of 96.20% and a specificity of 84.61%. When compared specifically to “true positives” and “true negatives” (defined by the consistency across the standard tests), LAMP demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 92.30% specificity. For context, the sensitivity of AFB smear microscopy against the culture and Xpert tests was 79.04%. A significant finding was that the LAMP test detected a high percentage (92.5%) of samples found positive by the culture and Xpert tests but negative by the AFB smear, highlighting its ability to identify cases missed by traditional microscopy. This study concluded that the LAMP assay is a sensitive and specific tool for TB diagnosis with potential for rapid and accurate diagnosis, especially in resource-limited areas.

El logro de este trabajo fue evaluar la calidad microbiológica de aguas y ensaladas de frutas, se determinó la presencia de mesófilos aerobios, coliformes fecales patógenos como Salmonella ssp., Shigela ssp. y Staphylococcus aureus. La presencia de microorganismos fue determinada basándose en normas oficiales y protocolos establecidos. Analizamos 48 muestras de aguas de frutas provenientes de neverías y 20 muestras de ensaladas provenientes de súper mercados. Los aerobios mesófilos fueron detectados en el 82.3% de las muestras, coliformes fecales y S. aureus en el 35.2%, Salmonella ssp. en el 16.1% y Shigella ssp. en el 2.9%. Los resultados del presente estudio revelan la necesidad de implementar medidas preventivas, con especial enfoque en las prácticas de higiene y manipulación, para prevenir un gran número de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos.