Which strategies for eradication of tuberculosis ?

Eradication of tuberculosis of is biologically feasible because infectious tuberculosis is relatively easy to identify is treatable and curable, with cure rates approaching 100 %, when modern short-course therapy is used. Ear ly diagnosis and effective treatment reduce transmission. Infected persons at increased risk of developing infectious tuberculosis can be identified t hrough tuberculin screening of high-risk populations and tuberculosis can b e partly, preventable by the administration of preventative therapy (chemop rophylaxis) and BCG vaccination. Humans are the primary reservoir of the tu bercle bacillus. In industrialized countries, tuberculin testing of dairy c attle and slaughter of infected animals nod pasteurization of milk have vir tually eliminated the problem. In industrialized countries tuberculosis has retreated into focal pockets that can be targeted for intensified control efforts. Elimination of tuberculosis in these countries depends in part on global elimination because of imported cases. In developing countries, the immediate task is to control tuberculosis, and DOTS is rite kev detection a nd treatment strategy Joint efforts should address the issue of the global implementation of DOTS strategy and of the research needs for effective vac cine, new drugs and new delivery services.