Tuberculosis strain EurA1.1 is no more contagious than others, says expert

Tuberculosis strain EurA1.1 is not more contagious and does not in itself lead to a more severe course of the disease. This drew the attention of the first deputy director of the Russian National Medical Research Center for Phtisiopulmonology and Infectious Diseases Vadim Testov, the correspondent of the Minsk-Novosti agency reports.

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The expert of the Ministry of Health of the neighboring country, whose words are cited by RIA Novosti, said that the specified strain (spolygotype SIT266 of the LAM family) does not belong to the new, as it has been known for two decades. During this time it was documented in the north-west of Russia, Belarus, Latvia. In the case of tuberculosis caused by EurA1.1, the clinical picture is not unique.

Earlier it was reported that EurA1.1 began to circulate in Russia. Its resistance to the main first- and second-line antibiotics was noted by a group of scientists from Ireland. Pathogen samples studied by Western specialists were collected in Eurasia, including in Germany, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova. The emergence of resistance to drugs such as bedaquiline and linezolid was also revealed. That is, treating such tuberculosis is more difficult. It is emphasized that this is a global problem.

According to V. Testov, Russia has developed a device that allows the patient’s bedside to determine drug resistance. The representative of the research center also noted that medicines and test systems for the fight against tuberculosis are produced by local companies, which gives independence from imports.

According to Russian media, specialists conducted clinical studies of a modern anti-TB vaccine. It is also expected to protect against EurA1. 1.

Belarusian scientists, as reported on sb.by, with colleagues from China are working on the creation of drugs against tuberculosis. The chosen development tactics involve the use of laboratory methods and artificial intelligence. This allows you to achieve results faster and reduce costs. The resulting chemicals are being tested.