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. 2016 Aug 1;63(3):370-5.
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciw250. Epub 2016 Jun 5.

Driving the Way to Tuberculosis Elimination: The Essential Role of Fundamental Research

Christian Lienhardt  1 , Alison M Kraigsley  2 , Christine F Sizemore  3
Affiliations

Driving the Way to Tuberculosis Elimination: The Essential Role of Fundamental Research

Christian Lienhardt et al. Clin Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Tuberculosis has impacted human health for millennia. The World Health Organization estimated that, in 2014, 9.6 million people developed tuberculosis and 1.5 million people died from the disease. In May 2014, the World Health Assembly endorsed the new "End TB Strategy" that presents a pathway to tuberculosis elimination. The strategy outlines 3 areas of emphasis, one of which is intensified research and innovation. In this article we highlight the essential role for fundamental tuberculosis research in the future of tuberculosis diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. To maximize the impact of fundamental research, we must foster collaboration among all stakeholders engaged in tuberculosis research and control to facilitate open dialogue to assure that critical gaps in outcome-oriented science are identified and addressed. We present here a framework for future discussions among scientists, physicians, research and development specialists, and public health managers for the reinforcement of national and international strategies toward tuberculosis elimination.

Keywords: biomedical; elimination; global health; research; tuberculosis.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The World Health Organization's new “End TB Strategy.” Abbreviations: HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; TB, tuberculosis.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
International Roadmap for Tuberculosis Research [12]: priorities in fundamental research for tuberculosis. Abbreviation: TB, tuberculosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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