Major Drug Trial Fails To Control TB In South African Gold Mines

News sources report on the results of a study conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine evaluating tuberculosis (TB) control in South African gold mines.

Agence France-Presse: Tuberculosis trial fails to aid S. African miners
“What researchers described as a ‘radical’ bid to cut down on tuberculosis among South African gold miners has failed to prevent infections or deaths, said a study out Wednesday…” (1/22).

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine: Major South African trial did not improve tuberculosis control in gold mines
“A major trial aiming to cut the rate of tuberculosis (TB) among South Africa’s gold miners did not reduce the number of cases or deaths from the disease, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine…” (Steels, 1/22).

MedIndia: Drug Therapy Used to Handle Tuberculosis in South African Gold Miners Fails
“A new study found how the radical bid, as described by the researchers, to cut down tuberculosis in South African gold miners has supposedly failed to prevent deaths and infections…” (Vakil, 1/23).

NEJM’s “Now @NEJM” blog: Tuberculosis Control in the Gold Mines of South Africa
Commenting on the results of the South African trial, NEJM reports, “‘Although negative, these results don’t signify failure,’ says infectious diseases specialist and NEJM Deputy Editor Dr. Lindsey R. Baden, ‘rather we learn that in an environment with a high TB transmission force additional TB prevention strategies are required’…” (Staples, 1/22).

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