Topic: Researching TB treatment: Waksman, Wallace and Wandegeya
Presenter: Prof. Andrew Nun
Senior Statistician
Medical Research Council
Clinical Trials Unit at the University College London
Chair: Dr. Alphonse Okwera
MBChB, MMed, MSc, PhD
Background
Following the randomised trial of Streptomycin versus bed rest published in 1948, there followed a series of trials in which effective chemotherapeutic regimens for TB were made available both in the developed and developing world. Unfortunately, adherence to 18 or more months’ treatment was poor. The advent of rifampicin in the 1960’s raised the possibility of shortening treatment and a series of landmark trials conducted mainly in East Africa reduced the duration of effective treatment to only 6 months. Drug resistant TB was regrettably neglected and even today treatment recommendations from WHO are based on a very low level of evidence. Major trials for MDR-TB are currently in progress including one to be conducted at Mulago hospital.
Time: 3:00pm -4:00pm
Venue: College Conference Room, Level 2, Clinical Research Building
