Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is the most common infectious disease, with one third of the world's population estimated to be infected and three million deaths annually worldwide. TB is associated with poverty, overcrowding and HIV infection. Pulmonary TB is the most common presentation with fever, malaise, weight loss, night sweats, prolonged cough, sputum or haemoptysis. Almost any organ may be affected e.g. lymph nodes, kidneys, bones and joints. Tuberculous meningitis is the most severe form of the disease, causing death or disability in more than half of those affected. Treatment of TB requires prolonged combination antibiotic therapy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends directly observed therapy short course (DOTS). Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) is becoming increasingly problematic worldwide. BCG vaccination is recommended in high prevalence countries as it reduces the risk of severe disease in children. The research programme, in collaboration with HTD and Pham Ngoc Thach TB and Lung Hospital, HCMC, aims to improve diagnosis and clinical care by undertaking clinical trials of antibiotics, steroids and, in patients co-infected with HIV, to determine the best time to commence antiretroviral therapy. We are also undertaking work on the virulence of the bacteria, the mechanism and spread of drug resistance, pharmacology, the immune responses, the host susceptibility to TBM, drug interactions between TB drugs and ARVs and adverse events associated with treatment.Tuberculous meningitis

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is the most common infectious disease, with one third of the world's population estimated to be infected and three million deaths annually worldwide. TB is associated with poverty, overcrowding and HIV infection. Pulmonary TB is the most common presentation with fever, malaise, weight loss, night sweats, prolonged cough, sputum or haemoptysis. Almost any organ may be affected e.g. lymph nodes, kidneys, bones and joints. Tuberculous meningitis is the most severe form of the disease, causing death or disability in more than half of those affected. Treatment of TB requires prolonged combination antibiotic therapy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends directly observed therapy short course (DOTS). Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) is becoming increasingly problematic worldwide. BCG vaccination is recommended in high prevalence countries as it reduces the risk of severe disease in children. The research programme, in collaboration with HTD and Pham Ngoc Thach TB and Lung Hospital, HCMC, aims to improve diagnosis and clinical care by undertaking clinical trials of antibiotics, steroids and, in patients co-infected with HIV, to determine the best time to commence antiretroviral therapy. We are also undertaking work on the virulence of the bacteria, the mechanism and spread of drug resistance, pharmacology, the immune responses, the host susceptibility to TBM, drug interactions between TB drugs and ARVs and adverse events associated with treatment.