TUBERCULOSIS: July edition of Stop TB News.

July edition of Stop TB News.

 For more information, please contact Sam Nuttall, communications officer: nuttalls@who.int
 http://stoptb.org/news/newsletters/2011/
TOP LINE NEWS
One million lives can be saved between now and the end of 2015 by preventing and treating tuberculosis among people living with HIV
A new epidemiological model shows it is possible to sharply reduce AIDS deaths worldwide by preventing and treating TB.
Leaders on TB and HIV efforts pledge to work in partnership to save a million lives
Michel Sidibé, Michel Kazatchkine and Eric Goosby agree to work with the Stop TB Partnership to save a million lives among people living with HIV.
UN special envoy gives impassioned speech on integrating TB care with the AIDS response
Dr Jorge Sampaio calls for political leadership and concrete action to get more people living with HIV treated and tested for TB.
Mobile phones and financial incentives help Karachi hospital double case detection rates

The Indus Hospital has reported a dramatic increase in case detection following the start of a new programme using mobile phones and financial incentives.

South African National AIDS Council ponders name change as HIV/TB rises up the agenda

TB and HIV co-infection in South Africa has risen up the agenda to the extent that the national AIDS council is considering incorporating TB in its name.

TB REACH announces successful applicants for Wave-2 funding

The Stop TB Partnership TB REACH initiative has approved US$ 31 million for 45 projects in 29 countries under its Wave-2 funding.

Inmates lead the fight against TB in Zambia's prisons

In Zambia, a project supported by TB REACH is showing how simple methods such as TB screening and HIV testing can prevent infections and save lives.

TB PEOPLE
Chinese singer Peng Liyuan appointed WHO goodwill ambassador for TB and HIV/AIDS
Ms Peng Liyuan will advocate for stronger action to ensure those in need can access prevention, care and treatment services.
University of Cape Town professor gives inaugural lecture on TB vaccines
Professor Hanekom argued that vaccines have the best chance of making an impact on the global TB burden.
TBVI partner Peter Andersen wins prize for developing new TB vaccine
Professor Peter Lawætz Andersen has won the Novo Nordisk prize for his research on the development of vaccines against TB.

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
MSF launches new series of blogs by MDR-TB patients
Médecins San Frontiers has launched a website called TB and ME which features blogs written by people on treatment for multidrug-resistant TB.

TDR wins the 2011 Gates Award for Global Health
TDR, a programme for research and scientific collaboration on diseases of poverty has won the 2011 Gates Award for Global Health.

Student association launches TB awareness programme in Rwanda
The Rwanda Pharmaceutical Students Association has launched a project to raise awareness about TB in rural communities.

Final child vaccinated in South African trial
The final baby has been vaccinated in the clinical trial of a candidate vaccine, MVA85A/Aeras-485 by the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative.

CPTR initiative launches survey on community engagement in TB research
The Critical Path to TB Drug Regimens initiative is conducting a survey on community engagement in TB research.

Kick TB campaign forges ahead in South Africa
South Africa’s national TB awareness campaign, 'Kick TB' is making steady progress across the country, with Mpumalanga the latest province to be targeted.

New student exchange programme on TB launched in Indonesia
The Centre for Indonesian Medical Students Activities is inviting medical students to visit Indonesia to learn about tackling TB in the country.

New TB vaccine candidate progresses to clinical trials
Biopharmaceutical company Biofabri has announced that the MTBVAC01 vaccine candidate will start Phase I clinical trials in early 2012.

AWARDS AND GRANTS
Recognizing excellence in the fight against TB: Kochon Prize calls for nominations by 31 July
The Kochon prize is awarded once a year to persons, institutions, or organizations that have made a significant contribution to combating TB.

2011 Images to Stop Tuberculosis photo award invites entries
Photographers are invited to submit a reportage on global health issues for the chance to win a US$ 10 000 assignment reporting on TB.

PUBLICATIONS
Large and irregular private sector market for TB drugs risks fuelling drug resistance
Private sector healthcare providers are buying and selling as many TB drugs as the public sector, but are often providing irregular dosages to patients.
Drug shortages lead to interrupted TB treatment in a third of UK health centres
Nearly two thirds of treatment centres in the UK have reported difficulty obtaining TB drugs, causing a third of centres to interrupt treatment at least once.
US study finds simpler, more effective treatment option for latent TB infection
Study suggests that latent TB infection can be treated with a simpler and shorter course of drugs than the one currently recommended.
Diabetics up to five times more likely to contract TB
People with diabetes face a much higher risk of contracting TB than non-diabetics, according to study in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization.
Four-in-one TB pill could help reduce drug-resistance
A new study has found that taking a four-in-one combination pill for TB yields similar results to taking the four drugs separately.