TBnet News September 2026
Tomorrow: TBnet Webinar – Emergence and mechanisms of bedaquiline resistance
We invite you to join the TBnet webinar on September 24 at 17:00 CEST for the newest webinar topic “Emergence and mechanisms of bedaquiline resistance". We look forward to your participation! You can find more information about the webinar here.
To join the webinar, please register in advance using the link below:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the webinar.
Contact information: admin@tbnet.eu
The Latest TBnet Publications
Over the past few months TBnet has continued to produce high-quality publications promoting advocacy and delivering much-needed research in key areas.
Tuberculosis in migrant children and adolescents in Europe: A joint TBnet and ptbnet systematic review and meta-analysis (Clin Micro Infect 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2026.07.014)
This systematic review and meta-analysis identified a substantial burden of tuberculosis (TB) among migrant children entering the EU/EEA and UK. Across 25 studies, the pooled prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection without active disease was 10.1% (95% CI 7.5–13.1%), while the pooled prevalence of active TB from 12 studies was 0.9% (95% CI 0.7–1.1%). The prevalence of active TB was comparable between accompanied and unaccompanied minors, suggesting that both groups face similarly high risks. Despite considerable heterogeneity and a moderate risk of bias across studies, these findings demonstrate that migrant children represent an important population for TB prevention and control. The results support the implementation of targeted screening and timely access to preventive treatment, diagnosis, and care for migrant children on arrival. Harmonised policies and evidence-based guidance across the EU/EEA and UK are needed to reduce the burden of TB in this vulnerable population.
Attitudes towards adjunctive surgical therapy for pulmonary TB in Europe: an ESGMYC, ESTS, and TBnet collaborative survey (Int J Tuber Lung Dis 2026, doi: 10.5588/ijtld.25.0707)
This Europe-wide survey explored clinicians' attitudes towards adjunctive thoracic surgery for pul-monary tuberculosis (TB), an area where evidence remains limited, particularly outside multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant TB. Responses were received from 63 clinicians across 23 countries in the WHO European Region, representing a range of specialties involved in TB care. Thoracic surgery was generally viewed as appropriate only in selected clinical scenarios, including when malignancy could not be excluded, for persistent pulmonary cavities with fungal infection or seques-tration, or for scar-related bronchial stenosis. Marked differences in attitudes towards surgery were observed between specialties, highlighting variation in clinical practice and decision-making. The findings suggest that access to thoracic surgery and indications for its use differ substantially across Europe. These results support the development of standardised, evidence-based guidelines and emphasise the need for prospective studies to define the role of surgery and evaluate long-term patient outcomes.
Action is needed to reduce TB drug shortages in Europe (Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2026, doi: 10.5588/ijtld.26.0154)
Drug shortages pose a significant threat to tuberculosis (TB) control across Europe, affecting both first-line and drug-resistant TB treatment. Although the European Medicines Agency has recognised first-line anti-TB drugs as essential medicines, persistent shortages continue due to fragmented procurement, limited availability of fixed-dose combinations, shortages of paediatric formulations, lack of access to rifapentine, and the high cost of newer drugs such as bedaquiline, delamanid, and pretomanid. In addition, access to drug susceptibility testing remains inconsistent across Europe, limiting the ability to optimise treatment and prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB. These challenges undermine timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and antimicrobial stewardship. The findings highlight the urgent need for coordinated European action to secure reliable supplies of essential TB medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and laboratory capacity. Strengthened political commitment and harmonised policies are essential to ensure equitable access to TB care and support progress towards TB elimination in the region.
Invitation to participate: TBnet study on MBLA in paradoxical lymph node swelling during TB treatment
Persistent or progressive lymph node swelling during treatment of extrapulmonary TB is a common clinical challenge. Distinguishing a paradoxical inflammatory reaction from treatment failure can be difficult, as Xpert MTB/RIF may remain positive irrespective of bacterial viability, while culture is slow and may remain negative. To investigate whether the Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (MBLA), detecting M. tuberculosis 16S rRNA as a marker of viable bacteria, can help distinguish treatment failure from paradoxical reactions, we invite you to participate in a prospective multicenter TBnet study.
Our request to you: Include patients with extrapulmonary TB who develop persistent or progressive lymphadenopathy after ≥3 months of TB treatment. No additional invasive procedures are required; material from clinically indicated lymph node aspiration or biopsy can be sent to the Research Center Borstel at room temperature for MBLA analysis.
Target group: Centers treating patients with extrapulmonary TB – participation is very welcome even if you expect to contribute only a single patient.
We aim to recruit approximately 100 adult patients and hope you will join this collaborative TBnet study to better understand the potential role of MBLA in this challenging clinical situation.
If you are interested in participating or would like to receive the study protocol, ethics approval and informed consent documents, please contact: mbla@fz-borstel.de
Upcoming UNITE4TB Webinar - 24.09.2026 - 13:00 - 14:00 CEST
How can we better predict TB disease recurrence – and what could this mean for the development of new TB treatment regimens? Join us on 24 September 2026, 13:00–14:00 CEST for our next quarterly webinar: "Predicting TB disease recurrence in clinical trials: Finding the needle in the haystack".
More information and registration here.
BREATHE Lecture Series 2026
As part of the “BREATHE – Building REspirAtory and infecTious disease Education And HEalthcare capacity in Ukraine” programme at the Research Center Borstel and the V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, this lecture series aims to support medical education and continuous training for medical students, residents, and young physicians in Ukraine.
Following a lecture series on infectious diseases held during the previous summer semester, the new series will now focus on current topics in pulmonology and respiratory medicine. Once again, numerous renowned international experts have been invited to contribute to the lectures on a voluntary basis, sharing their knowledge and experience with their Ukrainian colleagues.
The lectures will be delivered in English, and presentation slides will be translated into Ukrainian, kindly coordinated by colleagues at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. The lectures will be held on a weekly basis, starting on 18SEPTEMBER2026 at 15:00 EEST/14:00 CEST, and you can register for the webinars at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QlbR5bdHQDuyuhmVpylCng#/registration
Please find the flyer with all topics and speakers here: https://breathe.fz-borstel.de/images/02_2026-09_Flyer%20Breathe_long_url.pdf
Register now: EACCTB 2026
Join us in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, on 29–30 October 2026 for the European Advanced Course in Clinical Tuberculosis (EACCTB).
This year’s course is organized by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (The Netherlands) in collaboration with FILHA (Finland), Karolinska Institute (Sweden), TBnet, and Radboud University Medical Centre (The Netherlands).
The course is designed for infectious disease and respiratory medicine specialists, public health officers and nurses, TB programme personnel, microbiologists, and other professionals with an interest in tuberculosis. EACCTB 2026 will provide the latest updates on developments and current challenges in tuberculosis prevention & care, with a strong focus on both clinical practice and public health applications. Through interactive presentations and discussions, participants will explore topics such as epidemiology, active case finding, diagnostics, treatment, antimicrobial stewardship, post-TB health, stigma, and digital health tools.
Beyond the scientific programme, EACCTB offers a unique opportunity to exchange experiences, learn from leading experts, and connect with colleagues from across Europe and beyond.
We look forward to welcoming you to Nijmegen, the Netherlands, for two inspiring days of learning, collaboration, and networking.
Please find below the program and the registration link:
TBnet is looking for a Senior Scientist (all genders) – 6% FTE Duration: 01.11.2026 - 30.10.2028
The Senior Scientist will provide high-level scientific, strategic, and content-related support to TBnet’s contribution to UNITE4TB WP11. The role focuses on strengthening the scientific quality, relevance, and impact of dissemination, educational, and engagement activities, including webinars and professional training initiatives.
Key responsibilities
The Seniors scientist will:
Provide scientific oversight and expert input into WP11 dissemination, education, and engagement activities led or co-led by TBnet.
Contribute to the scientific organization of UNITE4TB webinars, including:
defining scientific objectives and themes,
advising on programme structure,
identifying and liaising with appropriate scientific speakers and moderators,
reviewing scientific content for accuracy and relevance.
Support TBnet’s participation in the organisation of TBnet Academies and related educational activities, ensuring alignment with UNITE4TB objectives and key scientific messages.
Contribute to scientific communication and coordination with healthcare professionals, early-career researchers, and relevant scientific stakeholders within WP11 activities.
Support Task 11.6 (Young Investigators Group) through scientific input into discussion topics, mentoring-related activities, or content development.
Advise on the translation of UNITE4TB scientific results into formats suitable for healthcare professionals and scientific audiences (e.g. webinars, seminars, educational materials).
Contribute to written scientific inputs (e.g. presentations, summaries, reports) relevant to WP11 deliverables where senior expertise is required.
Required qualifications and experience:
PhD or MD in medicine, biomedical sciences, public health, or a related field
Senior-level expertise in tuberculosis research, clinical care, or translational science
Strong understanding of clinical research, evidence synthesis, and stakeholder engagement
Experience contributing to international research consortia or EU-funded projects is an advantage
Ability to provide concise, high-level scientific input within limited time allocation
Key competencies:
Strategic scientific thinking
Clear scientific communication
Ability to work collaboratively
Experience bridging research and clinical or policy-relevant dissemination
If you are interested in this position, please submit your application by 07.10.2026 via e-mail to admin@tbnet.eu
TBnet News
Editor – Conor Tweed
Layout & formatting – Anne Oleischeck
Cover picture – Conor Tweed
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