tuberculosis rifapentine

Revolutionary Progress in Tuberculosis Prevention

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The IMPAACT4TB Consortium has created a childfriendly version of rifapentine, a medication used in TB prevention and treatment. This development is crucial as over 2.25 million children need TB prevention treatment, and rifapentine was previously deemed unsuitable for children under 12. The shortterm treatment is affordable, costing between $6.53 to $15.80, and is expected to substantially reduce the number of children falling ill with TB, potentially saving thousands of lives. This medication marks a significant milestone in TB prevention, providing hope for lowtomiddleincome nations struggling with the disease.

brics tuberculosis

BRICS in Unison: Unleashing Innovation and Fostering Collaboration to Defeat Tuberculosis

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The BRICS TB Research Network is a collaboration between Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to combat tuberculosis, which disproportionately affects their populations. The Network encourages TB program managers and scientists to combine their expertise and resources to develop strategies and solutions against TB. The recent Durban Summit saw representatives from the BRICS countries assemble to brainstorm and innovate methodologies to fight TB, with South Africa’s National Strategic Plan and TB Recovery Plan playing crucial roles in the fight against the disease. Despite hurdles, the BRICS leadership, dedication of its participating nations, and shared vision of a TBfree world underscore the potency of international collaboration to effectively tackle common health crises.

drug-resistant tuberculosis expedited diagnostics

The Challenge of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

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Drugresistant tuberculosis (DRTB) is a growing global health threat, with high mortality rates, exorbitant treatment costs, and increased transmission risks. In 2021, there were approximately 450,000 DRTB cases reported worldwide, resulting in 191,000 deaths. South Africa has one of the highest DRTB burdens, but only half of the patients initiate treatment.