Helen Ayles
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helenzambart.bsky.social
Helen Ayles
@helenzambart.bsky.social
Doctor and professor infectious diseases and international health. Interested in justice and fairness, dogs and all good things!
This is heartbreaking- not only for the cuts but also that the systems are clearly not working to get people on treatment in the govt clinics which are still working. Zambia does have ART still available in stock and so people can continue their ART…. But as always the health system is kafkaesque….
Millions stripped of access to medicines will die of AIDS as a result of Trump’s cuts to international funding.
Millions more will acquire HIV, as treatment also prevents transmission.
Here are the stories of 12 people in Zambia, no longer able to access lifesaving drugs.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Haunted by hopelessness: 12 Zambians share their stories as HIV drugs run out
Mothers and children, husbands and wives, doctors, truck drivers and religious leaders are all grappling with the fallout from the sudden U.S. cuts in aid.
www.npr.org
April 17, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Fascinating session with great talks from Vietnam, Nigeria and Thaïland. POC CRP could easily be deployed but why isn’t it?
Wonderful talk of @helenzambart.bsky.social on #CRP testing in diagnosing #TB in #Zambia. CRP does not distinguish TB from other infections but may have a value in TB/Lung sceening. Note that #POCT needed to be moved out of high temperature environment. #ESCMIDGlobal 2025 @escmid.bsky.social
April 13, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Reposted by Helen Ayles
#WorldTBDay tomorrow, don't miss our joint WTBD Symposium with @ucltb.bsky.social You may still be able to join us in person www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/world-tb-d... or if not, online. It's going to be an amazing event!
#WTBD2025
#Commit
#Invest
#Deliver
March 23, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Reposted by Helen Ayles
Trump and Co are giving the term "structural violence" a whole new meaning
February 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Reposted by Helen Ayles
This by Michael Rosen is terrifying and apt for the times we live in now.
February 18, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Helen Ayles
READ THIS: Clinical trials versus the real world in tuberculosis control

Editorial from @thelancet.bsky.social Infectious Diseases. Could not agree more with many of the challenges outlined here in relation to clinical trials.

https://buff.ly/4i8LJ0d
www.thelancet.com
November 29, 2024 at 2:44 PM
#UnionConf2024 Disappointing results from EXULTANT trial which found no increase in TB diagnosed with universal sputum, urine (Xpert &LAM) and stool Xpert compared to standard algorithm in hospitalized patients with HIV. Most were symptomatic so absolute benefit only 4% extra (powered for 7%)
November 15, 2024 at 9:36 AM
#UnionConf2024 intriguing talk on serum LAM with some promising results. Very small numbers and no details on what the test complexity will be but watch this space…..
November 15, 2024 at 8:43 AM
#UnionConf2024 Fascinating talk by Arjan Van Laarhoven showing possible different endotypes in TB meningitis which could suggest individualised treatment needed to reduce mortality
November 15, 2024 at 2:35 AM
Can an electronic stethoscope with AI predict disease severity? Seems that there is an interesting initial signal that needs further testing out…. #UnionConf2024
November 15, 2024 at 1:15 AM
#UnionConf2024 great sessions in TBScience🧪this morning on heterogeneity in TB. Why are men more susceptible? Does ancestry play a role? And who resists infection?
November 15, 2024 at 12:56 AM
It’s time for access for all. #UnionConf2024
November 13, 2024 at 3:51 AM
#UnionConf2024 Why are 1.3m people still dying of TB? Despite increasing access to TB drugs we need to do more. Lots of wins getting drug prices down but battles take time and effort- people die waiting!
Great talk by Christopher Perrin
#IDsky #GHsky #TBsky 🧪🛟😷🩺
November 13, 2024 at 3:49 AM
Lots of discussion on phase 3 TB vaccine trials at #UnionConf2024. We desperately need more trial sites but hearing stories of sites/countries feeling abused by sponsors as delays in site initiation/IP and competitive recruitment mean “less favored” sites likely to end up out of pocket.
November 12, 2024 at 9:25 AM
At #UnionConf2024 at StopTB (are they on Balt?) New tools meeting. Great to hear Indonesia planning for TB vaccines- roll out and manufacturing plans….💪🧪🛟🩺😷
November 12, 2024 at 5:27 AM
So am at #Unionconf2024 in Bali Indonesia. Will try to post highlights. Anyone else on blusky here? Union and TB world seem to be behind and still on X……🙄
November 12, 2024 at 4:33 AM
So in the early days of COVID, pre vaccines, Zambart took part in COPCOV- a trial of chloroquine/ hydroxychloroquine as prevention. I know you all think you know the answers but here is the paper journals.plos.org/plosmedicine.... Read it before you comment…..
🧪 #ID
Evaluation of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the prevention of COVID-19 (COPCOV): A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
In a randomised controlled trial, William Schilling and co-workers investigate potential prevention of COVID-19 by chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine.
journals.plos.org
September 12, 2024 at 7:43 PM