South Africa has the third highest tuberculosis (TB) and the fifth highest drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) burden in the world. The increase of DR-TB is largely due to the HIV epidemic and the challenges that are faced with the management of the disease. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape (EC) have the highest burden of DR-TB cases in South Africa. During 2005-2008 the “Preserving the Effective TB Treatment Study” (PETTS) was conducted in order to determine the rate of, risk factors for and consequences of acquired resistance to second-line drugs in MDR-TB patients in the EC and KZN. The study results are presented here.
The University of Pretoria as part of the Global Bridges initiative of the Mayo Clinic is hosting the African Tobacco Treatment Network (ATTNet).