EU drug resistance research ends in December
TB PAN-NET project aimed to link relevant research and clinical teams across Europe
A €14m European Union (EU) research project helping to establish a network to fight drug resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) will wrap up this December.
The European Commission said the Pan-European network for the study and clinical management of drug resistant tuberculosis (TB PAN-NET) project aimed to link relevant research and clinical teams, boosting Europe’s capacity to diagnose and treat TB patients, identify new diagnostics and establish clinical and diagnostic trials.
One priority has been improving rapid diagnostics, with researchers studying new markers identifying patients with drug-resistant TB. 'A large number of bacterial mutations leading to DRTB were studied and new methods were developed to distinguish live from dead bacteria,' the Commission said.
Internet-based data was also generated to study epidemiological factors leading to DRTB, helping develop treatment recommendations. In addition, researchers organised training and educational courses.
'Rapid identification, treatment and monitoring of DRTB spread are crucial for the future of all of Europe's public health,' added the Commission.