Sessions

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All E-posters are accessible via the "E-posters" section of the conference platform until 30 November.

EP34-426-24-Sensitivity of diagnostic tests in people with abnormal chest radiographsTo increase the detection of tuberculosis (TB) cases in high burden communities, we piloted an active case finding intervention using mobile X-ray vans. We describe the diagnostic characteristics of the individuals diagnosed with TB with this intervention.
Daniela Vanesa Puma Abarca

EP34-427-24-Targeted intervention to strengthen treatment monitoring using follow-up sputum testing among ambulatory, pulmonary multidrug-resistant TB patients in Xi`an, western ChinaTargeted education, counselling and follow-up support to strengthen treatment monitoring, through increased uptake of required, regularly scheduled sputum testing among ambulatory, pulmonary multidrug-resistant TB patients, managed by Xi’an Chest Hospital, Xi`an City, western China
Hui Luo

EP34-428-24-Using Xpert among symptomatic people with negative sputum smear microscopy results in Maharasthra: a key to identifying missing TB patientsImproving access to Xpert services among smear-negative cases with abnormal chest X-ray leads to an increase in notification. One hundred and sixty-seven individuals with a negative smear result on microscopy, but with an abnormal chest X-ray, were not initiated on treatment. When tested on Xpert their result was positive, leading to an increase in notification of MTB cases.
Ashvini Vyas

EP34-429-24-Novel RNA markers of anti-TB treatment responseCurrent measurements of drug efficacy in tuberculosis (TB) clinical trials rely on the cultivation of the pathogen where the effect of sterilising agents on the persister population is unmeasurable. Our novel pre-16S/16S rRNA model represents an innovative measure of drug efficacy and potential to accelerate clinical trials of TB drugs.
Evelin Dombay

EP34-430-24-Low AUC/MIC target attainment of moxifloxacin during treatment of patients with multidrug-resistant TB in ChinaTherapeutic drug monitoring of key multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) drugs aims to ensure sufficient drug exposure in order to improve treatment outcome. In this study including patients with MDR-TB in China, we explored the target attainment of drug exposure in relation to individual minimum inhibitory concentration for moxifloxacin, compared to previously suggested targets.
Lina Davies Forsman

EP34-431-24-Effective stock management of GeneXpert test cartridges in health facilities for uninterrupted TB laboratory diagnosis in three urban districts in UgandaThe World Health Organization recommends Xpert MTB/RIF assay as an initial tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic test. In Uganda there are 237 GeneXpert sites. However, testing is affected by stock-outs of cartridges. The United States Agency for International Development's Defeat TB project worked in facilities to reduce stock-outs through weekly review of stock cards, cartridge re-distributions and monthly physical counts.
Ronald Mangeni

EP34-432-24-The efficacy of anti-TB therapy and treatment outcome are modulated by the magnitude of bactericidal activity on the rest of respiratory microbiomeOur findings show that the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis therapy is modulated by the extent of its action on the rest of the respiratory microbiome.  Conversion to culture negative by week eight of treatment was associated with significant reduction of Streptococcus and overall microbiome diversity.
Wilber Sabiiti

EP34-433-24-Impact of the human resource support scheme and sample transportation system on GeneXpert services in selected states in Nigeria: the KNCV/Challenge TB experienceNigeria experienced huge demand for GeneXpert testing following adoption as the initial diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB). Despite the installation of 398 machines, utilisation rates remained low. To improve utilisation of machines, KNCV and the Challenge TB project, through United States Agency for International Development funding, implemented the GeneXpert human resource support scheme and courier model of sample transportation.
Nkiru Nwokoye

EP34-434-24-Synthesis and evaluation of new compounds efficient against Mycobacterium TB isolates circulating in a high burden country, Russian FederationMycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs continue to circulate and present a global problem. Here, we performed synthesis of new compounds containing 2-aminobutanol moiety and tested their efficiency on M. tuberculosis clinical isolates from Russia, a high burden country for multi- and extensively drug-resistant TB.
Anna Vyazovaya

EP34-435-24-Improvement of elimination rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum among patients receiving a bedaquiline and/or linezolid- containing regimens in TanzaniaWe present how molecular bacterial load assay (TB-MBLA) was used to test whether the killing of M. tuberculosis in adult patients, with either drug-resistant or susceptible tuberculosis, depends on the treatment regimens. 
Peter M. Mbelele

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All E-posters are accessible via the "E-posters" section of the conference platform until 30 November.

EP29-376-24-Exploring the differences between groups of tTB cases with unknown treatment outcomes in GermanyReporting tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes is important to improve its control efforts. We investigated the characteristics of TB patients with unknown treatment outcomes in Germany. We observed important differences between patients, whose treatment outcomes were reported as missing and as unknown, due to transfer of the patient to different jurisdiction area.
Teresa Domaszewska

EP29-377-24-Can future TB cases be predicted in the Netherlands? What you see is what you get!The extent of tuberculosis (TB) data collection in surveillance systems differs by country. In the Netherlands, data is collected on country of birth and duration of stay/residence of foreign-born patients. This study presents trends for different sub-groups i.e. patients born in the Netherlands and foreign-born patients, by time, in the Netherlands.
Gerard De Vries

EP29-378-24-TB healthcare-seeking among contacts of active TB patients: evaluation of symptom screening in a nationwide contact investigation in the country of GeorgiaWe conducted a cohort study among contacts of patients with tuberculosis (TB) from Georgia. Contacts received TB symptom screening and were referred to care. Less than half of contacts with symptoms received diagnostic testing for active TB and TB incidence was almost seven times higher among symptomatic contacts, compared to asymptomatic contacts.
Ana Giguashvili

EP29-379-24-Molecular characterisation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in the Russian region with unexpectedly low TB incidenceThe Vologda region is located in the north of the European part of Russia and is characterised by an unexpectedly low tuberculosis (TB) incidence rate of 15.8 /100,000 (Russian average - 44.4). This situation is intriguing and we analysed Mycobacterium tuberculosis population structure to understand the likely underlying, pathogen related factors.
Anna Vyazovaya

EP29-380-24-Treatment of rifampin-resistant TB with an all-oral regimen containing new drugs in Zhytomyr UkraineUkraine is a country with high burden rifampin-resistant and multidrug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) and poor treatment success rates. We assess the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of an all-oral, nine-12 month regimen, containing bedaquiline with levofloxacin or delamanid, for the treatment of RR/MDR-TB in Zhytomyr, Ukraine.
Chung-Yu Chen

EP29-381-24-Implementation and acceptance of video consultation in the treatment and care of drug-sensitiveTB and latent TB infection in The NetherlandsNurses who are specialised in tuberculosis (TB) management, counsel patients with latent TB infection during their treatment. eHealth, in the form of video consultation, has the potential to support counselling. This study focused on the acceptance of video consultation, both by patients and nurses, and aimed to provide guidance for nurses considering video consultation.
Simone Boerema

EP29-382-24-A European TB strategy toolkit: supporting the development and strengthening of national TB programmes in the European Union and European Economic Area Member StatesA European TB strategy toolkit, commissioned by the European Commission and supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and World Health Organization Europe, has been developed. It supports prioritisation of areas for action and equips Member States with underpinning European Union/European Economic Area-focused evidence in developing national strategic TB plans to move countries, and Europe, toward TB elimination. 
Fatima Wurie

EP29-383-24-The use of totally implantable central venous access ports system for the treatment of multidrug-resistant TB: Belarus prospective cohort studyTotally implantable, central venous access port system (CVP) helps to provide multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment with carbapenem- containing regimens. Following a pilot project (supported by Médecins Sans Frontières) CVP use was programmatically expanded with Global Fund support. In a countrywide cohort, CVP demonstrates a good safety profile and a high level of patient acceptability.
Aliaksandr Skrahin

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Organised by: DeepTek Inc.

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and tuberculosis (TB) are two key challenges that have severely unsettled the world. We focus on the role of digital chest X-ray and High-Resolution CT chest for screening.  Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled, instant triage and smart reporting ensures fast turn-around times for resource constrained units. Innovating TB screening in times of COVID-19 pandemic can help deal with the two challenges in one setting. Expert panelists from leading hospitals, governmental organizations, NGO’s share their valuable experiences to showcase how AI is a force multiplier for public health screening.
Target audience: government bodies, non- profit organizations/ non- government organizations, foundations/trusts, hospitals

18:15 - 18:20: Introduction


18:20 - 18:35: Our experience in COVID-19 diagnosis from Mumbai India using artificial intelligence augmented radiological imaging to improve turnaround time of reporting. Dr Patkar will discuss the role of AI in busy tertiary care setups reorganised into designated COVIDd Care centers due to enhanced number of cases. How Hospitals can benefit by the value add created by AI and enhance patient throughput.

Deepak Patkar

18:35 - 18:50: High volume tertiary care COVID-19 instant triage and response using Machine learning and smart structured reporting Role of AI in Diagnosis of Pandemics and Corona Virus Like scenarios. The Present value of disruptive innovations. Considering the looming health concern of COVID-19, how can AI and Disruptive healthcare innovators partner with hospitals, research organisations and Government work on opportunities for early diagnosis to move beyond assessing the illness by clinical symptoms. AI radiology can deploy the tools and algorithms to encourage early intervention and monitor complications preventing high morbidity. It would be very useful to humanity if the stakeholders in current crisis with present affected population can their clinical data, learnings, knowledge to help co create a fast prototype to market and pre-empt future pandemic panic. Are we mature to share the learnings?

Avinash Nanivadekar

18:50 - 19:05: How resource constrained economies are using low cost imaging and AI for TB screening. Co-testing for TB and COVID-19, is this a reality? The world was already facing the slow pandemic of TB, when COVID-19 stuck. The global target for TB elimination is set at 2030 and India has set the target of TB elimination by 2025. How do these targets match up in the era of COVID-19? Can new age technologies support in keeping these targets intact?

Akash Dey

19:05 - 19:20: Prospects of use of artificial intelligence in national TB elimination programme Services of National TB elimination Programme got impacted due to COVID-19 pandemic in terms of decline in notification etc. NTEP have undertaken various initiatives to reclaim lost notifications including policy of bidirectional screening for TB and COVID simultaneously.
COVID-19 have provided an opportunity to address all respiratory ailments in comprehensive, synergistic fashion. It may augment response, save resources more over may contribute to health system strengthening.
Use of Artificial intelligence in various components of programme specially diagnostics provide an opportunity to deal with TB & COVID in comprehensive manner.
Application of AI in radiological screening for TB, COVID and other respiratory infections is in tandem of broader principles of Pulmonary Approach to Lung Health (PAL) and may significantly contribute to Health system strengthening. It may equip health system for future respiratory outbreaks.

Sandeep Bharaswadkar

19:20 - 19:35: Computer-aided reading (CAR) software for TB screening: learnings from Viet Nam This presentation will highlight the community-based CXR screening which FIT and partners have conducted in Viet Nam and the CAR evaluations which have been conducted with the resultant data.  This will include a landscape analysis for 13 different CAR software, a training and evaluation scheme for a CAR software program to triage normal images away from human read and an assessment of additional/marginal yields of TB from sputum collection based on CAR results.

Andrew Codlin

19:35 - 19:45: Q&A session