Tuberculosis
Every minute of every day, three people die of tuberculosis..jpg)
- Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem.
- Two billion people worldwide are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- 1.6 million people died from TB in 2005.
- TB is a leading infectious cause of death among women.
- 50% of the world's refugees are infected with TB.
Although TB is among the most serious infections threatening mankind, particularly in developing countries, there is a serious lack of effective tools for controlling this disease. BCG, the current vaccine, is widely used, but is only partially effective. There are no simple and effective diagnostic tests available that would allow early detection and treatment of TB. New drug resistant strains of M. tuberculosis have emerged, increasing the urgency for new and more effective antibiotics.
IDRI’s research efforts to aid in the eradication of devastating disease encompass Vaccine Discovery, Drug Discovery and Diagnostics.