Doctors must be 'vigilant' to meet challenge of drug resistant TB, says British Lung Foundation - 02/05/08

Research released today by the British Medical Journal shows that doctors must be vigilant to meet the challenges of an increase in drug-resistant TB in the UK, says the British Lung Foundation.The research shows an increase of drug-resistant TB amongst difficult to treat, marginalised groups in urban areas such as London

'This research confirms that there is a small but significant rise in the number of drug-resistant TB cases in the UK which reflects a world-wide increase", says British Lung Foundation spokesperson Professor Stephen Spiro. "TB is a hazardous condition. GPs and clinicians, particularly those based in London, must be vigilant and make sure that people with symptoms suggestive of TB are referred promptly for further investigation to a TB clinic or for an X-ray and that people with the disease are offered support to make sure they complete their treatment. The rise in TB reflects the lack of investment in TB research in the last few decades and this must be addressed globally if we are to find the new treatments that are urgently needed."

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