Tuberculosis (TB) has recently surpassed COVID-19 as the leading global infectious killer, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In 2023, approximately 10.8 million individuals were diagnosed with TB, and the disease claimed the lives of 1.25 million people. TB is an airborne disease that spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even speaks, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria into the air.
Currently, TB treatments rely on antibiotics developed in the 1950s and 1960s. However, researchers have found that some TB bacteria have mutated, resulting in antimicrobial resistance. The WHO has identified this issue as a significant global public health threat. TB primarily impacts the lungs, with the potential for transmission occurring through airborne droplets inhaled by others.
According to Professor Antje Blumenthal from the University of Queensland, around a quarter of the global population harbours the bacteria causing TB, yet not everyone infected will develop the disease. The bacterium has coexisted with humans for centuries, demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt to and survive in the host body.
Current TB treatment regimens typically involve a lengthy course of antibiotics, often exceeding a year. Blumenthal emphasises the need for innovative approaches and new strategies to develop faster-acting treatments with fewer side effects. Potential advancements may include new antibiotics or methods to enhance the body’s immune response to better control the bacteria.
Looking ahead, Blumenthal expresses hope that future treatments could integrate new methods with existing antibiotics to improve the efficacy and efficiency of TB care. As the fight against this historic disease continues, concerted efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance and enhance treatment protocols are essential to reducing its devastating impact.