Editorial overview: Infectious diseases.
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Communicable Disease Control↗
Biomedical subjects
Alimuddin I Zumla
Publications and source records attributed to Alimuddin I Zumla.
Immunologic aspects of tropical lung disease.
Respiratory tract infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adults and children worldwide. Because of its anatomical features, which allow gaseous exchange, the respiratory tract is constantly exposed to the outer environment and to the systemic and pulmonary circulation, which may allow infectious microbes, toxins, allergens, dust, and other antigens to enter the lung. The human host is a perpetual battleground between the body's immune system and invading antigens, whether they are microorganisms, chemicals, or cancer cells. Although a vast amount of literature is accumulating on the subject of immune responses to pathogens, the mechanisms underlying specific immunity to many organisms remain unknown. Paradoxically, while the immune response has evolved to confer protection against invading antigens, much human pathology arises when the immune responses are evoked.
Adult↗
Non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infections.
Pulmonary disease due to EM occurs worldwide, and its prevalence has increased as a consequence of the HIV pandemic. It is not often detected in the tropics owing to a lack of laboratory facilities, but when sought it has been found. In addition to HIV infection certain occupations such as mining render the work force more susceptible to disease and calls for a revision of working conditions. Resolution by therapy can be achieved in many cases. As the prevalence of TB diminishes worldwide--and hopefully it will in the wake of the resurgence of interest and the widespread application of the World Health Organization's Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) strategy--disease due to EM will become relatively more important and will necessitate revised strategies in clinical, microbiological, and public health approaches to mycobacterial disease.
Adult↗