A new study finds that not only can stem cells be targeted for protective vaccination, but they can also be hijacked by a pathogen to increase TB virulence.

Current treatments for tuberculosis (TB) are very effective in controlling TB infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). They don’t, however, always prevent reinfection. Why this happens is one of the long-standing questions in TB research.

Historically, our view of host defense against infection was that we must eliminate pathogens to eradicate disease. However, this perspective has recently been challenged as scientists have taken a lesson from plant biologists about an ancient strategy involving the ability to “tolerate” rather than “resist” infection to maintain health. This concept, referred to as “disease tolerance”, provides an opportunity to develop new strategies that mitigate the consequences of infection.

Canadian researchers’ innovative work promises to make vaccines more effective against TB and other infectious diseases like the flu.

As a result of the overuse or misuse of antibiotics, antimicrobial resistant superbugs represent an extraordinary threat to global health. This threat is particularly great in India, the world’s largest consumer of antibiotics and the country facing the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the world.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 150,000 children with HIV under 15 years of age died of opportunistic infections in low-to-middle income countries in 2014 alone. But a study recently published in the journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases suggests that not only were many of these infections and deaths potentially preventable had the children received antiretroviral therapy (ART) to support their depleted immune systems, but doing so in future would result in annual savings of close to USD$ 18 million per year for health organizations around the world because they would reduce the costs of treating the diseases the children develop.

FIND is pleased to announce the finalization of a memorandum of understanding with the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, with a focus on tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics.

December 17, 2015 - University of Toronto and McGill University scientists are leading an international partnership to discover new and improved drug treatments for tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases -- thanks to a contribution from Merck Canada Inc., as well as an additional $5 million supplement to a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The new funding brings the total investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to nearly US $12 million since 2012.

Applications are invited from recent PhD or MD graduates for a one year, full-time fellowship, starting October 2015. Depending on funding availability, the fellowship may be extended by another year.