Report highlights spread of drug resistant TB strains

(Vatican Radio) Scientists have found an alarming number of cases of the lung disease tuberculosis in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America that are resistant to up to four powerful antibiotic drugs. In a large international study published in the Lancet medical journal Thursday, researchers found rates of both multi drug-resistant (MDR) TB and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB are higher than previously thought and are threatening global efforts to curb the spread of the disease. The Coordinator of TB Diagnostics and Laboratory Strengthening for the World Health Organization’s Stop TB Department, Dr Karin Meyer, spoke with us about the need for a comprehensive approach to TB treatment and prevention. “The study in the Lancet…elegantly demonstrated that TB and MDR TB [pose] not only a medical problem,” said Dr Meyer. “It is a disease that is affected by poverty, by discrimination – and the risk factors for disease described in this paper very clearly point out the need for a comprehensive approach in treating TB and drug-resistant TB.”

Listen to interview by Christopher Altieri with Dr. Karin Meyer: