adminmore effective vaccines as well as improved diagnostics and treatment.
Owing to treatment errors and lack of adherence to treatment — a deadlier strain of TB known as treatment drug resistant TB (TDRTB), had since been identified in India.
A TB specialist from India, Dr Zarir Udwadia said: “TDRTB is a man-made disease which developed as a result of inadequate therapy. This strain of TB is resistant to all drugs. Untreated forms of TB are increasing.”
So far about 20 cases of treatment drug resistant TB have been recorded in India.
He said considering these and other challenges, there was a need to invest in a vaccine for tuberculosis.
The only TB vaccine available is the Bacille Calmette-Guerin popularly known as BCG.
BCG is administered to infants soon after birth.
According to AERAS, BCG was partially effective as it protected children against severe forms of TB but was unreliable against adult pulmonary TB.
“There is therefore an urgent need for a modern, safe and effective vaccine that would prevent all forms of TB, including the drug-resistant strains, in all age groups and among people with HIV,” said Dr Udwadia.
TB is a leading cause of death among people who are also infected with HIV, according to the World Health Organisation. One-third of the 33,2 million people living with HIV also suffer from TB. Without proper treatment, approximately 90 percent of people living with HIV die within two to three months of contracting TB.
According to the World Health Organisation’s Global Tuberculosis Control Report 2009, Zimbabwe is ranked 17th among the 22 high TB burden countries in the world. It is estimated that about 87 000 deaths are recorded per year.
While the prevalence of HIV in Zimbabwe has been declining, TB and HIV co-infection remains high. Statistics show that as high as 78 percent of people living with HIV may also be infected with TB.
Online Reporter