[Some topics of TB research using epidemetric models]

Abstract

Recent challenges to research in tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology were overviewed, with special emphasis on studies using mathematical models. They include; the effectiveness of DOTS strategy on TB epidemiology, impact of HIV epidemics and multi-drug resistant TB, simulation of selected TB control measures (BCG vaccination, case-finding, the use of interferon-gamma release assay for sub-clinical infections). The perspectives on molecular epidemiology and the host susceptibility are discussed, and these topics are considered as important research agendas in TB epidemiology. Also, discussions were made on the relevant ways of organizing epidemiological studies in TB, now and in the near future.