Why should we care about Tuberculosis?
In the United States and other wealthy nations, tuberculosis (TB) is often "out of sight, out of mind". With the introduction of anti-TB drugs, sanatoriums closed and the disease known as consumption was largely dismissed as an illness of the past. Unfortunately, this could not be further from the truth. See the factsheet below to learn why we still need TB research now as much as ever before.
#1
Causing over 1.5 million deaths per year, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the lead cause of death by a single infectious agent
10 Mil
There are more than 10 million new cases of TB each year.
2 Bil
More than a quarter of the world's population are estimated to be latently infected at any time
Impact of COVID-19
Re-allocation of medical resources, diversion of research funds and lockdowns stemming from COVID-19 have caused delays in diagnoses and treatments, resulting in an increase in TB deaths for first time in decades
Multi-drug Resistance
Treatment of TB requires 4-18 months of multiple drugs and incomplete treatment contributes to antimicrobial resistance. A decades long lull in anti-TB drug development has left us on the back foot.
Only ONE Vaccine
BCG has been used for over a century despite protection waning through adolescence and poor efficacy against pulmonary disease. Ideal immunological targets and responses for future design of successful candidates are not clear.
Silent Double Pandemic
Following emergence of HIV, TB saw resurgence negating decades of progress towards eradication. The pathogenesis of these two infections synergistically aid each other leading to worse disease.
Bacterial Respiratory Infection
Bacteria that is spread by aerosol infects lungs and can disseminate to other organs in the body. Unfortunately, disease progression and containment still not fully understood.
Intracellular Pathogen
Mtb can survive within our own cells to avoid detection, immune clearance, and antibiotics. Immune responses to infection or successful vaccination are still not understood.
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Burden on LMIC
Introduction of drugs helped wealthy countries minimize TB burden, while others could not afford or ensure access to drugs. Additionally, dense living and working conditions, such as factories and mines, are associated with spread.
Diagnostic Difficulties
Despite a lack of clinical symptoms, sub-clinical disease still needs to be treated. However, Mtb is slow growing so cultures take weeks and the BCG vaccine can cause false positives in some tests.
Learn more about efforts to end the the silent pandemic:
