Accelerating progress towards tuberculosis elimination: the need for combination treatment and prevention

Abstract

Although estimated tuberculosis (TB) incidence is now falling globally, we are unlikely to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) TB targets without changing the emphasis of the global TB response in high human immunodeficiency virus prevalence settings. Two independent modelling exercises using South African data with different structures and assumptions conclude that, until new drugs, diagnostics and vaccines are available, a fully funded and accessible combination approach to anti-tuberculosis treatment and prevention, based on knowledge of local TB epidemiology and evidence-informed policy, is essential to accelerate progress towards zero new tuberculous infections, zero TB deaths and zero suffering from TB.