Though the US has made world-changing strides in the management of tuberculosis over the last tuberculosis, World TB Day—the annual anniversary of Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of 

Rather, it’s an opportunity to reflect on those advances, and consider which ones are still needed to finally eliminate the respiratory infection.

As Philip LoBue, MD, reflected in a recent Lungcast interview, there’s plenty more progress to be made.

“We’ve known what causes TB for well more than 100 years, we have antibiotics going back to the 1950s and ‘60s, and yet it is—depending on how you count cases—still the globally leading infectious disease killer,” LoBue said.

In an interview with the American Lung Association (ALA) chief medical officer Al Rizzo, MD on the monthly respiratory health podcast series, LoBue, Director of Tuberculosis Elimination at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, reflected on the significance of World TB Day, and shared resources for those who would want to learn about the disease in the US, the other 364 days of the year.

LoBue also discussed the effect of COIVD-19 on tuberculosis screening and diagnosis, factors which already need to be heightened in order to achieve his and other institutions’ goal of tuberculosis elimination.

“I think the underlying message is while the US is a low-instance country, and we definitely see a lot less than we did 100 years ago, it isn’t gone,” he said. If people have the right constellation of symptoms in a group that’s high risk, don’t forget about it.”

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Videos

On World TB Day, experts from the ALA and CDC reflect on the recent issues of tuberculosis.

The US Still Has Ground to Make on Tuberculosis

Over a century, tuberculosis (TB) has evolved from an overwhelming burden in the United States and Europe, to a managed disease with well-defined therapies and decades of progression borne from advocacy.

But, it is not a completely resolved matter—in fact, the last stretch of eradicating TB in the US may be the most difficult to complete.

In commemoration of World TB Day on March 24, the date reflecting Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of 

 tackled the matter of tuberculosis management, both past and present.

Philip LoBue, MD, Director of Tuberculosis Elimination at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, joined American Lung Association (ALA) chief medical officer Al Rizzo, MD, for a discussion on how TB still persists nationally.

Despite current cases being a fraction of what we they were in the 19th century, thousands are still reported annually.

“But to reach elimination, we actually have to only have about 300 total cases in the United States,” LoBue said. “So there’s still quite a way to go.”

LoBue and Rizzo discussed where to target areas of TB infections, which comes down to key groups of at-risk persons:

Those who travel frequently in areas with greater tuberculosis spread

Those who have been subjected to “congregate settings”—homeless shelters or correctional facilities

Because latent TB infection is more prevalent in the US, and more common in congregate settings, the 2 experts discussing screening and testing for latent infection.

Lungcast is a monthly podcast series from 

 and the ALA. Listen to the full episode here:

In commemoration of World TB Day, a CDC and ALA expert discuss how TB still exists in the country.

The Keys to Eliminating US Tuberculosis

Pathophysiology of Hypercholesterolemia and Cardiovascular Disease 

Risk Factors for Developing Hyperlipidemia 

Identifying Patients at High Risk for CV Morbidity and Mortality 

High Cholesterol Versus Familial Hypercholesterolemia 

Aggressive LDL Lowering in High-Risk Patients 

Mechanism of Action of Inclisiran in Lipid Lowering  

Expert cardiologists provide a brief overview of the standard of care for lipid disorders and focus on a rapidly emerging, newer treatment option for managing dyslipidemia.

Paradigm Shifts in Lipid Lowering

Why and How Non-Medical Therapeutic Switching Occurs

Non-Medical Switching of Biosimilars and Generics

Impact of Non-Medical Switching on the Patient 

How to Discourage Non-Medical Switching 

COVID-19 and Payor Strategies for Non-Medical Switching 

Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD provides insight into how and why insurance companies implement non-medical therapeutic switching and what healthcare providers can do to mitigate its impact on patient care. 

Expert Perspectives on the Clinical Impact of Non-Medical Therapeutic Switching

Overview of Schizophrenia Treatment

Psychiatric Teams: Treating Schizophrenia Comorbidities 

Schizophrenia Relapse: Diagnosis, Prevention, and Impact 

Increasing Patient Adherence to Schizophrenia Treatment Regimen 

Schizophrenia Burden 

Introducing Long-Acting Injectables (LAIs) in Schizophrenia 

Patient Factors Associated with Schizophrenia 

LAIs in Schizophrenia: Advantages and Techniques for Patient Acceptance 

Joe Avelino, RN, BSN, MHSA, CPHQ; Rahn Bailey, MD, DFAPA; and Henry Nasrallah, MD discuss the benefits of long-acting injectables in the management of schizophrenia and system protocols that are in place for the use of long-acting injectables in an institutional setting.

Institutional Best Practices for Treating Schizophrenia

with Brad Glick, DO, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist Valerie Callender, MD, spoke about the challenges of cosmetic 

Callender discussed her recent experiences in her practice, how the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns have largely affected treatment of her patients, as well as the shift to telemedicine.

In the early days of the pandemic, she noted, “we immediately went into speed drive.”

“We started reaching out to our private practice physicians in the area, the urgent care centers, the pediatric offices, as well as anyone else in the area that referred patients to us,” she continued. “And we started sending out emails and faxes that we started doing tele-dermatology.”

She especially highlighted that her practice had ramped up virtual consultations despite having never implemented such strategies prior to the pandemic.

Furthermore, during the first few months of lockdowns, Callender’s practice had virtually ceased performing cosmetic procedures; and yet, understandably, most patients had expressed little to no interest in that realm of care, she indicated.

“In the heat of the pandemic, we did not do cosmetic consults. It really wasn’t something patients were looking for” she said. “Towards the summer, and when the offices started to open up and we were able to do elected procedures, patients were calling. And we really made it mandatory [to do] consultations.”

Listen to the full podcast episode below.

Valerie Callender, MD, gives an overview of her practice and discusses the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Valerie Callender, MD: Cosmetic Dermatology During COVID-19

Advances in the Management of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Every facet of care and every regular gathering of medical fellows has been thrown off its axis by the ongoing coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Telemedicine has entered the fold in areas where in-person healthcare can be avoided, and clinicians have become investigators to their own daily practices.

The pandemic’s effect on 

 is no less interesting than any other specialty, as clinicians are faced with an older patient clientele.

“We’ll see how that plays out in the coming months and years, but I suspect through this crisis, I think it’ll be pretty much be business as usual with taking care of patients,” W. Lloyd Clark, MD, told 

.

In the final segment of an interview with 

American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) 2020 Virtual Meeting

 this weekend, Clark, of the Palmetto Retinal Center, discussed how the implementation of retina-based care technology has been slow the last few months, with the hoped-for platforms just not yet being available.

Nonetheless, Clark praised the role of technology in meetings like ASRS 2020 itself, noting the “social, collegial, cohesive” nature of the retina clinicians who regularly attend the meeting and looked forward to the weekend of online connection.

“Some of the smaller meetings have been very creative, entertaining, a lot of fun to participate in,” Clark said. “There’s been some appetite to get online and see our colleagues. Because we are, as a specialty, used to meeting a lot, and used to seeing our colleagues. There’s been a desire to reconnect.”

A perspective on what's moved virtually, and what hasn't, since the pandemic began in March.

Overview of ADHD 

Impact of ADHD on Quality of Life 

Updates in Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines for ADHD 

Diagnosis and Testing for ADHD 

Unmet Needs in ADHD 

Non-Pharmacological Therapy in ADHD 

Benefits of a Multimodal Treatment Approach to ADHD 

FDA-Approved Medications for ADHD 

Approaching ADHD Treatment Selection in Children and Adults 

Emerging Treatments for ADHD 

Addressing Drug Holidays for ADHD Medication

Optimizing Care for ADHD During COVID-19 

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, and Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH, discuss current and emerging therapies for the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).

Optimal Management of ADHD

Pediatric Neurological Exam to Identify SMA

Virtual Exam Findings in an Infant Affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy 

Signs and Symptoms of SMA

Use of Developmental Screening Tools to Identify Early Signs of SMA

Urgency for Early Diagnosis and Treatment in SMA

Use of Telehealth to Address Parental Concerns 

Workflow for Remote Visits During COVID-19

Hallmark Signs of SMA in Pediatric Patients 

SMA Resources for Physicians and Families 

Advice to Community Pediatricians Evaluating SMA

The HCPLive Insights series, “Evaluation of Spinal Muscular Atrophy in the Era of Telehealth,” put on in partnership with Cure SMA, features Diana Castro, MD, and Garey H. Noritz, MD, who offer tips and demonstrations for screening and diagnosing SMA via telehealth. Additionally, resources provided by Cure SMA are outlined for families and clinicians who suspect SMA or have a patient diagnosed with SMA.

Cure SMA:  Evaluation of SMA in the Era of Telehealth

Current State of the Opioid Crisis: Multifaceted Point of View 

Unmet Needs and the Impact of COVID-19 on the Opioid Crisis 

Opioid Crisis Misconceptions and Unintended Consequences 

Risks for Accidental Opioid Overdose Seen in the Community 

New Labeling Requirements Put Forth by the FDA for Opioids 

Implementing Protocols, Policies, and Programs to Save Lives 

Improving the Accessibility of Naloxone and Potential Impact 

Normalizing the Conversation about Naloxone with the Public 

Barriers to Naloxone Prescribing, Dispensing, and Utilization 

Experts discuss challenges and recent guidance provided by national agencies pertaining to the opioid crisis, in addition to providing real world examples of how to implement effective management strategies into clinical practice. 