Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes or talks. If you think you have been exposed, you should go to your doctor for tests as soon as possible. You are more likely to get TB if you have a weak immune system.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a dreaded bacterial infection. It has been known to mankind since ancient ages. It was commonly called “consumption” at the turn of the last century because of the way the disease seemed to “consume” the individual it affected.

How Has The COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Tuberculosis Eradication?

Tuberculosis Causes

Tuberculosis Diagnosis

Tuberculosis Prevention

Tuberculosis Screening

Tuberculosis Treatment

Tuberculosis Prognosis

History of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis in Animals

Tuberculosis Transmission

New tuberculosis technologies: importance of access in the private health sector

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What is the END TB Strategy?

Latest Tuberculosis News and Research

Antibiotics, antivirals, vaccines and anti-inflammatory drugs associated with reduced dementia risk

Antibiotics, antivirals, vaccinations and anti-inflammatory medication are associated with reduced risk of dementia, according to new research that looked at health data from over 130 million individuals.

21 Jan 2025

Groundbreaking trial finds levofloxacin effective against multidrug-resistant TB

A clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the oral antibiotic levofloxacin taken once-daily for six months substantially reduced the risk of developing drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), and almost halved adults' and children's risk of developing multidrug-resistant TB.

15 Jan 2025

AI chatbot developed to aid governments in tackling drug resistance

Scientists have developed an AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT to help governments devise effective policies for battling drug resistance.

13 Jan 2025

Self-destructing vaccine offers safer TB protection in monkeys

A self-destructing vaccine administered intravenously provides additional safety and protection against tuberculosis (TB) in macaque monkeys, suggests new University of Pittsburgh research published today in Nature Microbiology.

10 Jan 2025

HIV drug access remains a major challenge despite promising trial results

Promising new drugs to prevent and treat HIV have the potential to transform the response to the disease. But getting these drugs to those who need it most will be critical, says Beatriz Grinsztejn, president of the International AIDS Society.

10 Jan 2025

New antibiotic shows promise in fighting tuberculosis

A consortium including scientists from the Tropical Institute at LMU University Hospital has demonstrated the effectiveness of a new antibiotic.

9 Jan 2025

University of Exeter launches new round of funding for fungal AMR solutions

A University of Exeter funding scheme designed to combat the global challenge of fungal antimicrobial resistance (fAMR) has announced a new call for applications.

8 Jan 2025

AI technology supports global efforts against antimicrobial resistance

AMR is when microorganisms that cause infections, such as bacteria and viruses, change over time and no longer respond to antibiotic medicines.

8 Jan 2025

Professor Alison Elliott honored with OBE for contributions to global health

Leading clinical researcher Professor Alison Elliott has been honoured with an OBE in the King's New Year Honours for services to medicine and global health.

3 Jan 2025

Brazil's cash transfer program cuts tuberculosis cases and deaths among vulnerable populations

Brazil's Bolsa Família Program (BFP), one of the world's largest conditional cash transfer programmes, was responsible for the reduction of more than half the number of tuberculosis cases and deaths among those living in extreme poverty and Indigenous groups, shows a large study coordinated by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a center supported by "la Caixa" Foundation, the Institute of Collective Health, and the CIDACS-FIOCRUZ in Bahia, Brazil.

3 Jan 2025

AI-driven surveillance system to combat emerging infectious diseases

Researchers have come up with a new way to identify more infectious variants of viruses or bacteria that start spreading in humans - including those causing flu, COVID, whooping cough and tuberculosis.

2 Jan 2025

Dextromethorphan found to have potential in treating lung fibrosis

A common over-the-counter ingredient in many cough syrups may have a greater purpose for people suffering from lung fibrosis that is related to any number of serious health conditions.

22 Dec 2024

Cough syrup ingredient may help combat lung fibrosis

A common over-the-counter ingredient in many cough syrups may have a greater purpose for people suffering from lung fibrosis that is related to any number of serious health conditions.

18 Dec 2024

Syphilis family traced to Pre-Columbian Americas

In spring 1495, the Italian campaign of Charles VIII of France was interrupted by an intense outbreak of an apparently unknown illness – a disease of high mortality that quickly engulfed the whole of Europe and left its survivors with life changing impairments to their bodies and minds.

18 Dec 2024