Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis: Tools for Tackling a New Face of an Old Foe

Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Tuberculosis is an ancient disease that remains an important global cause of morbidity and mortality. In most cases, TB can be treated and cured by taking a combination of several drugs for 6 to 12 months. When inappropriate or incomplete treatment takes place, however, TB bacteria can develop resistance to multiple drugs. Treatment of drug-resistant TB is currently longer, more toxic, more complex, and less effective than for drug-susceptible TB. In 2011, less than 10% of the total estimated multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) cases were detected and annually, there are approximately 500,000 cases of MDR TB, and 150,000 deaths. Although there are simple rapid tests that have improved the diagnosis of the disease, there is immense potential to increase the number of persons diagnosed with MDR TB, and diagnose them more quickly so that they can begin treatment sooner.

Please join us as we discuss how more patients can benefit from advances in diagnostic and treatment options, resulting in an overall reduction in morbidity from MDR TB. This session of Grand Rounds will also explore the role of CDC, WHO and other partners in combating this public health epidemic.

 

Presented By

Sarita Shah, MD, MPH
Associate Chief for Science, International Research and Programs Branch, Division of TB Elimination
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC
“The Public Health Importance of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis”

Tom Shinnick, PhD
Associate Director for Global Laboratory Activities, Division of TB Elimination
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC
“Rapid Diagnosis of MDR TB: A Laboratory Systems-based Approach”

Christian Lienhardt, MD, DTM, MSc, PhD
Senior Research Advisor, Stop TB Department,
World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
“Rational Use of New Drugs for Treatment of MDR TB: Context and Challenges”

Tom Kenyon, MD, MPH
Director, Center for Global Health, CDC
“Drug Resistance in TB: What Public Health Can Do Now and in the Future”
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC

Facilitated By

John Iskander, MD, MPH, Deputy Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
Susan Laird, MSN, RN, Communications Manager, Public Health Grand Rounds

Related Grand Rounds Presentations

• TB & HIV: A Deadly Duo
• Advanced Molecular Detection
• Combating Resistance: Getting Smart About Antibiotics

Additional Resources

• World TB Day Web page
• TB Personal Stories
• 2014 World TB Day Podcast