Explore the vast range of titles available.

Non-typhoidal salmonella invasive disease is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. Malnourished children, those with recent malaria or sickle-cell anaemia, and adults with HIV infection are at particularly high risk of disease. We sought to estimate the burden of disease attributable to non-typhoidal salmonella invasive disease for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017. We did a systematic review of scientific databases and grey literature, and estimated non-typhoidal salmonella invasive disease incidence and mortality for the years 1990 to 2017, by age, sex, and geographical location using DisMod-MR, a Bayesian meta-regression tool. We estimated case fatality by age, HIV status, and sociodemographic development. We also calculated the HIV-attributable fraction and estimated health gap metrics, including disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). We estimated that 535 000 (95% uncertainty interval 409 000–705 000) cases of non-typhoidal salmonella invasive disease occurred in 2017, with the highest incidence in sub-Saharan Africa (34·5 [26·6–45·0] cases per 100 000 person-years) and in children younger than 5 years (34·3 [23·2–54·7] cases per 100 000 person-years). 77 500 (46 400–123 000) deaths were estimated in 2017, of which 18 400 (12 000–27 700) were attributable to HIV. The remaining 59 100 (33 300–98 100) deaths not attributable to HIV accounted for 4·26 million (2·38–7·38) DALYs in 2017. Mean all-age case fatality was 14·5% (9·2–21·1), with higher estimates among children younger than 5 years (13·5% [8·4–19·8]) and elderly people (51·2% [30·2–72·9] among those aged ≥70 years), people with HIV infection (41·8% [30·0–54·0]), and in areas of low sociodemographic development (eg, 15·8% [10·0–22·9] in sub-Saharan Africa). We present the first global estimates of non-typhoidal salmonella invasive disease that have been produced as part of GBD 2017. Given the high disease burden, particularly in children, elderly people, and people with HIV infection, investigating the sources and transmission pathways of non-typhoidal salmonella invasive disease is crucial to implement effective preventive and control measures. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Background External quality assessment (EQA) of sputum smear microscopy is essential and indispensable component of any tuberculosis program. This study assessed the EQA of acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy through onsite evaluation, blinded rechecking and panel test. A one year study was conducted on eight health institution laboratories from December 2011 to December 2012. Onsite evaluation, blinded rechecking and panel tests were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and proportions of false readings were calculated. The level of agreement was measured using Kappa (κ) value. Results Problems observed during onsite evaluation include shortages of materials, disinfectant, and poor storage and working condition. A total of 578 slides were collected for blinded rechecking, of which 102 (17.6 %) were reported as positive by peripheral laboratories. The panel test revealed an overall error of 17 (25.25 %) of which 14 (17.5 %) were minor errors [low false negative 6 (7.5 %) and low false positive 8 (10 %)], and 3 (3.75 %) were major errors (high false positive). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of the peripheral laboratories were 83.5, 97.8, 91.7, and 95.7, respectively. The false readings at the peripheral laboratories were 32 (5.5 %). Agreement on reading the slides was observed on 546 (94.5 %) slides (K = 0.84, SE = 0.054). Conclusions Lack of reagents, supplies, favorable working environment and AFB related technical problems were identified in the peripheral laboratories. High false negative error was found to be the predominant major error. A continuous and strong EQA scheme should be implemented to avoid reporting errors and produce quality sputum results.