World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is marked across the globe on 24 March to raise awareness of the continuing spread of TB; in Europe alone in 2016 there were 70,000 reported cases of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), highlighting the need for universal access to diagnosis and care to prevent further growth.
To coincide with World TB Day, the European Respiratory Journal has published a number of new articles that puts the spotlight on TB and MDR-TB. An expert ERS task force led by Dr Dennis Falzon has put together updated recommendations on the latest WHO treatment guidelines for MDR-TB, which is also accompanied by a new editorial that provides an updated analysis of the current evidence on bedaquiline.
Additional publications include a first nationwide report on clofazimine containing or sparing regimens in MDR-TB patients, and an updated systematic review and meta-analysis for treatment.
ERS Advocacy continues to support the need for policymakers to prioritise TB across Europe through the ERS Ad-hoc Working Group on TB Advocacy. Recent activity includes backing The Union call upon the World Health Organization to recognise TB and MDR-TB in its current list of priority pathogens, and signing a letter addressed to G20 countries to ask them to ensure TB is prioritised in their coming discussions on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Further ERS resources for World TB Day include a variety of e-learning materials to help enhance TB knowledge and a collection of recent publications on TB and MDR-TB.
Read the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) statement on five key points that are critical to addressing the tuberculosis epidemic to learn more about what the global community can do to tackle the threat of TB.
Download the FIRS TB factsheet
European Lung Foundation resources to share with your patients: