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T M Daniel

Publications and source records attributed to T M Daniel.

159 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis: laboratory techniques applicable in developing countries.

New technologies for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis that can be applied in developing countries where the prevalence of tuberculosis is high are based on methods that permit recognition of either mycobacterial products in clinical specimens or specific host responses to mycobacteria. Mycobacterial antigens can be identified by immunoassays based on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mycobacterial DNA or rRNA can be identified with the use of single-stranded DNA probes. Both techniques are potentially suitable for use in developing countries, although there remain technical problems associated with the use of sputum samples. Serodiagnosis by ELISA is a promising technique based on recognition of the IgG antibody response of the host. The technique is ready for early application and can be used in developing countries. However, high specificity depends on the use of antigens that are not now generally available. The predictive accuracy of any newly proposed diagnostic technique must be compared with that of direct microscopic examination of sputum.

DNA Probes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Selective primary health care: strategies for control of disease in the developing world. II. Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem throughout the world. Practically all adults in developing countries are infected with the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but only about five percent suffer any ill effects. Morbidity and mortality are greatest during the economically and socially productive young adult years. Treatment requires multiple drugs and many months of compliance. Treatment both reduces transmission of the organism and allays suffering in the diseased individual. The efficacy of vaccination with BCG (bacille Calmette-Guérin) remains controversial, but several trials have demonstrated some reduction in clinical disease. At this point, the ideal disease control program entails several steps of epidemiologic assessment of the problem and resources, development of public health orientation in the professional community, treatment of infectious patients, and BCG vaccination of all those under 15-20 years of age.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Graphic representation of numerically calculated predictive values: an easily comprehended method of evaluating diagnostic tests.

The authors present a brief BASIC-language computer program that calculates positive and negative predictive values from the known sensitivity and specificity of a test over a range of disease prevalences and produces easily comprehended graphs of these relationships using commonly employed graphics software. These graphs permit rapid appreciation of the effect of prior probability on predictive values. They may facilitate selection of the appropriate test for the anticipated setting and avoidance of the unexpected inaccuracies that often result when tests are chosen on the basis of sensitivity and specificity alone.

Computer Graphics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Multivariate Markovian modeling of tuberculosis: forecast for the United States.

We have developed a computer-implemented, multivariate Markov chain model to project tuberculosis (TB) incidence in the United States from 1980 to 2010 in disaggregated demographic groups. Uncertainty in model parameters and in the projections is represented by fuzzy numbers. Projections are made under the assumption that current TB control measures will remain unchanged for the projection period. The projections of the model demonstrate an intermediate increase in national TB incidence (similar to that which actually occurred) followed by continuing decline. The rate of decline depends strongly on geographic, racial, and ethnic characteristics. The model predicts that the rate of decline in the number of cases among Hispanics will be slower than among white non-Hispanics and black non-Hispanics a prediction supported by the most recent data.

Adolescent↗