Browsing by Author "Tiberi, Simon"

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    Artemisia Spp. derivatives for COVID-19 treatment : anecdotal use, political hype, treatment potential, challenges, and road map to randomized clinical trials
    (American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2020) Kapepula, Paulin M.; Kabengele, Jimmy K.; Kingombe, Micheline; Van Bambeke, Francoise; Tulkens, Paul M.; Kishabongo, Antoine Sadiki; Decloedt, Eric; Zumla, Adam; Tiberi, Simon; Suleman, Fatima; Tshilolo, Leon; Muyembe-TamFum, Jean-Jacques; Zumla, Alimuddin; Nachega, Jean B.
    The world is currently facing a novel COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 that, as of July 12, 2020, has caused a reported 12,322,395 cases and 556,335 deaths. To date, only two treatments, remdesivir and dexamethasone, have demonstrated clinical efficacy through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in seriously ill patients. The search for new or repurposed drugs for treatment of COVID-19 continues. We have witnessed anecdotal use of herbal medicines, including Artemisia spp. extracts, in low-income countries, and exaggerated claims of their efficacies that are not evidence based, with subsequent political controversy. These events highlight the urgent need for further research on herbal compounds to evaluate efficacy through RCTs, and, when efficacious compounds are identified, to establish the active ingredients, develop formulations and dosing, and define pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and safety to enable drug development. Derivatives from the herb Artemisia annua have been used as traditional medicine over centuries for the treatment of fevers, malaria, and respiratory tract infections. We review the bioactive compounds, pharmacological and immunological effects, and traditional uses for Artemisia spp. derivatives, and discuss the challenges and controversies surrounding current efforts and the scientific road map to advance them to prevent or treat COVID-19.
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    MDR/XDR-TB management of patients and contacts : challenges facing the new decade. The 2020 clinical update by the Global Tuberculosis Network
    (Elsevier, 2020-03) Migliori, Giovanni Battista; Tiberi, Simon; Zumla, Alimuddin; Petersen, Eskild; Chakaya, Jeremiah Muhwa; Wejse, Christian; Torrico, Marcela Munoz; Duarte, Raquel; Alffenaar, Jan Willem; Schaaf, H. Simon; Marais, Ben J.; Cirillo, Daniela Maria; Alagna, Riccardo; Rendon, Adrian; Pontali, Emanuele; Piubello, Alberto; Figueroa, Jose; Ferlazzo, Gabriella; García-Basteiro, Alberto; Centis, Rosella; Visca, Dina; D’Ambrosio, Lia; Sotgiu, Giovanni
    The continuous flow of new research articles on MDR-TB diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation requires frequent update of existing guidelines. This review is aimed at providing clinicians and public health staff with an updated and easy-to-consult document arising from consensus of Global Tuberculosis Network (GTN) experts. The core published documents and guidelines have been reviewed, including the recently published MDR-TB WHO rapid advice and ATS/CDC/ERS/IDSA guidelines. After a rapid review of epidemiology and risk factors, the clinical priorities on MDR-TB diagnosis (including whole genome sequencing and drug-susceptibility testing interpretations) and treatment (treatment design and management, TB in children) are discussed. Furthermore, the review comprehensively describes the latest information on contact tracing and LTBI management in MDR-TB contacts, while providing guidance on post-treatment functional evaluation and rehabilitation of TB sequelae, infection control and other public health priorities.