Conference reports, TB coinfection
40th World Conference on Lung Health of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 3-7 December 2009, Cancun, Mexico
Introduction
Several presentations at this conference indicated that there is progress in TB drug development and diagnostics. For example, at least three drugs for the treatment of TB and drug-resistant TB are in advanced clinical trials, including moxifloxacin, TMC207 and OPC-67683. We include reports on:
- Cepheid Gene Xpert diagnostic technology for TB
- Adherence of TB patients on self-administered treatment
- High mortality and poor record-keeping for in-patients in Kwazulu-Natal Hospital
- Factors affecting survival of XDR TB patients
Many delegates from African countries struggled to get visas for the conference, because the only Mexican consulate in Southern Africa is in Pretoria. Cancun is primarily known as a holiday resort and it was not an appropriate venue for this conference. Hopefully in future years it will be held in venues easily reached by people most affected by TB.
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