The objective: to conduct a comparative analysis of changes in tuberculosis epidemic situation in Russia before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subjects and Methods. The data from official statistical surveillance for 2015-2024 were studied.

Results. The changes in tuberculosis incidence in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath are generally consistent with those worldwide. However, in contrast to the global epidemic situation, the pandemic did not impact tuberculosis mortality in Russia. During the pandemic and after it, tuberculosis incidence reduction slowed down or stopped among people aged 45 years and older, which lead to a shift in the incidence structure to older age groups. The following was also noted: an increase in the proportion of patients with fibrous cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis, and a tendency towards a decrease in the proportion of new patients with TB/HIV co-infection. The COVID-19 pandemic and related processes have contributed to stabilization of the frequency of detection of primary multidrug resistance. In the structure of deaths of tuberculosis during the COVID-19 pandemic and after it, the proportion of tuberculosis cases identified post mortem and one-year lethality are increasing. This requires enhancement of tuberculosis detection in social risk groups.

The objective: to study the rates of mono-resistance and poly-resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs among the population of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Subjects and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included data of 3,678 tuberculosis patients with mono- or poly-resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs. 3,221 patients had pulmonary tuberculosis, while 457 had extrapulmonary tuberculosis, the observation period lasted from 2017 to 2022. The data from the National Tuberculosis Control Program in the Kyrgyz Republic (KR) were used.

Results. Among the patients with mono- or poly-resistant tuberculosis, new cases accounted for 80.8%, and 87.6% of them were patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The incidence of mono- and poly-resistant tuberculosis decreased (from 10.1 in 2017 to 6.5 in 2023 per 100,000 population) associated with decrease in the overall incidence of tuberculosis. The incidence of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis demonstrated a downward trend, while the incidence of mono- and multidrug resistant tuberculosis fluctuated: it increased (in 2019 - by 16.7%, in 2022 - by 53.7%) and decreased (in 2020 - by 37.1%, in 2023 - by 0.22%). According to the drug resistance profile of MTB, the most prevalent (81.8%) was resistance to isoniazid with confirmed sensitivity to rifampicin, regardless of drug resistance to other anti-tuberculosis drugs.

The objective: to analyze risk factors of the unfavorable course of tuberculosis detected in the patients hospitalized with suspected COVID-19.

Subjects and Methods. Of 1079 patients hospitalized with suspected COVID-19 and pneumonia, 120 case histories of patients with tuberculosis were retrospectively selected using a continuous sampling method; the fatal outcome was reported in 17.5% of cases (21/120).

Results. Chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and underweight were more common among patients with a fatal outcome. Of the laboratory data, the most significant risk factors for an unfavorable outcome were as follows: levels of hemoglobin below 110 g/l, total protein below 60.4 g/l, D-dimer above 2.21 μg/ml, and C-reactive protein above 91.9 mg/l.

The objective: to evaluate postponed treatment outcomes in the patients with multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) detected during preventive screening and by self-referral to a medical unit.

Subjects and Methods. Data from in-patient records of 147 patients were retrospectively analyzed. All those patients had MDR TB with a positive result of sputum tests and underwent treatment in the Grondo Regional Clinical Center of Phthisiology. 

Results. 103/147 (70.1%) cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were detected by screening, while 44/147 (29.9%) were detected by self-referral, p<0.001. It was possible to trace treatment outcomes in 114 patients only.  Sputum conversion was achieved in the patients detected by screening within 6 months (inclusive) which was statistically significantly more frequently than among patients identified during self-referral (61/82 (74.4%) versus 15/32 (46.9%), p≤0.05). Over 18 months, successful treatment outcomes were achieved statistically significantly more often in patients detected by screening (26/82 (31.7%), 95% CI 22.6-42.4) versus self-referral (4/32 (12.5%), 95% CI 5.0-28.1), p=0.046. Of 114 patients, a favorable treatment outcome was achieved in 86 (75.4%) 95% CI (66.8-82.4) patients, regardless of the duration of treatment and the way of tuberculosis detection: 65 patients detected by screening and 21 patients detected by self-referral.

The objective: to study the actual duration of chemotherapy in patients registered for treatment with drug-resistant tuberculosis regimens and the factors providing impact on it.

Subjects and Methods. Using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods, the duration of treatment of 23,798 cases of tuberculosis in Russia was analyzed.

Results. All studied factors, including the registration group, chemotherapy regimen, HIV status, and gender, independently influenced the duration of period from treatment registration to successful treatment. However, the registration group and chemotherapy regimen had the greatest impact. Only the chemotherapy regimen had a statistically significant effect on the duration of treatment until failure. All factors except the gender had an independent effect on the duration of treatment until death. However, the greatest impact on tuberculosis-related deaths was exerted by the patient group and treatment regimen, while the most significant impact on other causes was exerted by the registration group and HIV status. Independent influence on the duration of treatment before loss to follow-up included the initiation of treatment after chemotherapy failure and initiation of an empirical treatment regimen. The duration of treatment until transferred out outcome was not affected by any of these  factors.

Conclusion. The obtained results will enable the development of a model for calculating the need for anti-tuberculosis drugs, taking into account the actual duration of treatment.

The objective: to study detection and clinical and radiological characteristics of tuberculosis in children and adolescents with malignant diseases.

Subjects and Methods. Medical records of 105 children with respiratory tuberculosis (RTB) aged from 6 months to 17 years inclusive, examined in 2018–2025, were analyzed. Children were divided into two groups: Main Group (MG) – children with respiratory tuberculosis (RTB) and malignant neoplasms (MN) (52 patients) and Control Group (CG) – children with RTB and no MN (53 patients). Demographic characteristics, features of clinical manifestations and forms of respiratory tuberculosis of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.

Results. In 73.1% (38/52) of cases, respiratory tuberculosis in children from MG was detected during the onset of malignant neoplasms or their treatment, in 17.3% (9/52) – at the stage of malignant neoplasm remission, in 9.6% – at the stage of post-tuberculosis changes in the form of calcifications in the intrathoracic lymph nodes prior to development of malignant neoplasms. In MG, tuberculosis was detected in 59.6% (31/52) of patients with hemoblastoses and 40.4% (21/52) of patients with malignant neoplasms of solid organs. In children from MG, tuberculosis was detected in 21.2% (11/52) of cases based on the results of immunodiagnostics and in 78.8% (41/52) when they referred for help with complaints. In children from MG, the course of respiratory tuberculosis was characterized by a widespread disease (78.8%, 41/52) and development of bronchopulmonary complications (80.8%, 42/52). Among children with hemoblastoses, generalized or disseminated forms of tuberculosis were in 32.3% (10/31) of cases, in children with malignant neoplasms of solid organs – in 9.5% (2/21). The incidence of lesions of central nervous system in children from MG made 7.7% (4/52).

The objective: to evaluate the effect of combined use of a fluoroquinolone and bedaquiline on the QT interval length when added to chemotherapy regimens in children with multidrug-resistant respiratory tuberculosis.

Subjects and Methods. A retrospective, selective comparative study (2018-2022) was conducted among two groups of children aged 6-12 years with multidrug-resistant respiratory tuberculosis: Main Group (MG) consisted of 13 children who received two drugs with a cardiotoxic effect (bedaquiline and a fluoroquinolone) in their chemotherapy regimen; while 13 children who received a chemotherapy regimen containing a fluoroquinolone only were included in Comparison Group (CG). During the study, a standard ECG was performed assessing the length of the QT_с interval.

Results. Prolongation of the QT_с interval was a frequent (84.6%) adverse reaction (AR) in children from MG and it was observed statistically significantly less frequently (15.4%) in CG, p<0.001. The number of episodes of the QT_с interval prolongation was also reported significantly more frequently in MD versus GS: 36 (23.8%) cases out of 151 examinations and 6 (4.2%) out of 144 examinations, respectively, χ2=23.367, p≤0.001. The range of deviations of the QT_с interval from the reference value (440 ms) did not exceed 460 ms in MG in 28/36 (77.8%) episodes, in CG – in 6/6 (100%) episodes. Prolongation of the QT_с interval from 461 ms and more was recorded only in MG – 8/36 (22.2%). And only 1/13 (7.7%) patient from MG had a prolongation of the QT_с interval to 512 ms. In no case the prolongation of the QT_с interval was accompanied by clinical symptoms; no electrolyte disturbances, changes in liver or kidney function, or paroxysmal rhythm disturbances were observed. 

The objective: to evaluate cytokine status and types of immune response in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Subjects and Methods. A total of 172 COPD patients with varying degrees of bronchial obstruction (II–IV according to GOLD) in the exacerbation phase were examined. The levels of proinflammatory (IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β1) cytokines were tested. Correlation and cluster analyses were performed to identify types of immune response (Th1, Th1/Th17, Th17).

Results. It was found out that as bronchial obstruction increased in COPD patients, the production of IL-6, TGF-β1 and IL-10 increased. At different stages, there were different types of immune response; among 172 patients, Th1 was found in 22.1%, Th1/Th17 in 33.7%, and Th17 in 44.2%. Th17 was more common in extremely severe bronchial obstruction (GOLD IV) and was associated with pronounced hyperproduction of IL-17, IL-21, IL-6, and TGF-β1.

Conclusion. The cytokine profile in COPD reflects the formation of Th1, Th1/Th17 and Th17 types of immune response, which determines characteristics of the course of the disease and may possibly serve as a prognostic marker.

The objective: to evaluate treatment outcomes in tuberculosis patients when using video-controlled treatment.

Subjects and Methods. The study was designed as a retrospective one. Subjects were the following: 854 tuberculosis patients, who received anti-tuberculosis treatment in medical units of Bishkek and Chui Region in the out-patient settings using different treatment observation models, in 2020-2022. Patients were divided in 2 groups: Main Group and Control Group. Main Group (MG) included 422 patients who were on video-controlled treatment (VCT) of tuberculosis drugs, and Control Group (CG) – 432 patients who were on directly observed treatment (DOT).

Results. The majority of included patients (85.3%) lived within 3 kilometers from the healthcare organization, therefore, the use of video-controlled therapy is convenient for daily intake of TB drugs for both patients and healthcare workers. It has been found that VCT is not inferior to traditional DOT in terms of treatment outcomes: treatment success made 98.1% versus 79.6%, %, while lost to follow-up made 1.2% versus 9.9%, p> 0.05.  It has been revealed that the proportion of missed doses of TB drugs in VCT Group is higher for DS-TB and DR-TB than in DOT Group (3.3% versus 2.5%, 10% versus 4.4%, respectively).  While in VCT, the facts of absent on treatment were better documented, and the reasons for missed doses were identified and eliminated in a timely manner.

Conclusion. The success of TB treatment using video-controlled intake of TB drugs is not inferior to traditional directly observed TB treatment and can be recommended for further use. The higher treatment effectiveness when using VCT is due to the fact that the study group included patients with good adherence, organizational problems were solved during the treatment: donors paid the Internet costs, TB drugs were delivered to the patient, and patients received some incentives. An important aspect of VCT is the reduction of risk of infecting others while traveling, i.e. prevention of tuberculosis spread. 

The objective: to compare the presence and severity of respiratory disorders in students smoking conventional cigarettes and using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

Subjects and Methods. Spirometry was performed using a portable spirotester USPTS-01 (assessment of forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume for the first second (FEV1)) in students smoking cigarettes or using ENDS.

Results. There were no statistically significant differences in such parameters as FVC and FEV1/FVC (p >0.05). The median and quartile values of FEV1 in the group of conventional cigarette smokers were statistically significantly lower than in the group of ENDS users and made 3.5 (3.1-4.1) and 4.2 (3.7-4.5) liters, respectively, p=0.011. The frequency of disorders of pulmonary ventilation (restrictive type, moderate to severe) was 73.7% in the group of regular cigarette smokers and 61.9% in the group of ENDS users (χ2 = 0.208, p = 0.649). 

The article describes a clinical case of bronchiectasis, accompanied by annually recurring pneumonia. Due to a comprehensive individual approach based on surgical treatment (polysegmental resection and valve bronchial block), despite the complications that developed, it was possible to achieve a clinical cure.

50 scientific publications between 2018 and 2025 were analyzed, focusing on drug delivery systems and benefits of linezolid-loaded nanoparticles. Orally administered anti-tuberculosis drugs do not always achieve sufficient bactericidal concentrations at the site of infection, regardless of their serum levels. Consequently, even with treatment adherence, approximately 1% of patients may develop multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) due to pharmacokinetic variability. This highlights the need for advanced delivery systems that ensure targeted drug release directly into the affected lung tissue. Nanoformulations of linezolid (e.g., dry powders, aerosols) have been developed. These formulations remain stable for up to 6 months and increase bioavailability to 55.2%, enabling dose reduction.  This opens up real prospects for lowering the therapeutic dose of the drug.

This review analyzes 80 publications on female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) and peritoneal tuberculosis (PTB), conditions of significant clinical and social relevance due to their direct impact on reproductive health. Both forms are associated with severe long-term outcomes, including infertility, chronic pelvic pain, recurrent early pregnancy loss, and the risk of disease dissemination during pregnancy, up to miliary tuberculosis. Early diagnosis is hindered by the deep anatomical location of lesions, the limited specificity of imaging methods, and the frequent latent course of the disease. The review summarizes current laboratory and instrumental approaches to diagnosing extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), with a focus on FGTB and PTB, and provides a critical assessment of the evidence related to clinical verification and treatment monitoring.