Professor Anna Ralph
Deputy Director (Research); Senior Principal Research Fellow
Qualifications:
PhD, Australian National University, 2010; Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, 2005; Diploma of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, 2002; Master of Public Health, University of Sydney, 1999; Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Honours Class 1, University of New South Wales, 1996; Medical Science Honours Class 1, Australian National University, 1993; Bachelor of Medical Science, University of Tasmania, 1992.
Approved level of HDR supervision at Charles Darwin University:
Supervisor for PhD
Location:
Darwin - Royal Darwin Hospital campus
Biography:
Professor Anna Ralph is a Senior Principal Research Fellow with the Global and Tropical Health Division at Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. She shares the role of Deputy Director of Research with Prof Louise Maple-Brown. She is also a practising medical specialist in General Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Royal Darwin Hospital and Palmerston Regional Hospital.
Her research fields include Australian tropical infectious diseases, rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Australian Indigenous populations, tuberculosis control especially in neighbouring South-East Asian settings, and improving cultural safety in healthcare. She has expertise in a broad range of research methods.
Professor Ralph’s roles include membership of the Medical Journal of Australia’s Editorial Advisory Committee, the Northern Territory Government Department of Health (NT Health) Top End Division of Medicine Research Committee, NT Health Aboriginal Health Committee, CARPA Standard Treatment Manual editorial committee, the NT RHD Control Program Steering Committee and she is a fellows of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases.
She supervises a number of PhD students, post doctoral researchers, and Advanced Trainees in Infectious Diseases through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Current Projects
- The Communicate Study
- RHDAustralia
- Searching for a Technology-driven Acute Rheumatic fever Test (START)
- STopping Acute Rheumatic Fever Infections to Strengthen Health: STARFISH
- PRIME-TB - Papua New Guinea & Indonesia for the Micro Elimination of TB
- CONTRA TB - a tool to scale up TB contract tracing in a high burden setting
- PRIME-TB - Papua New Guinea & Indonesia for the Micro Elimination of TB
- Secondary Prophylaxis Plus (SPPlus: expanding RHD prevention
Past Projects
- HOT NORTH
- The Tuberculosis Centre of Research Excellence
- The Tropical Disease Regional Research Collaborative Initiative (TDRRCI)
- Tuberculosis
- Strengthening health systems to improve the delivery of tuberculosis contact investigation and preventive therapy in Timika (Indonesia) and Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
- Embedding sustained improvements in TB diagnosis and management into practice in eastern Malaysia
- Understanding the molecular epidemiology of TB in Sabah, Malaysia
- Improving the diagnosis of ARF
- Enhanced models of secondary prevention for RHD
- On Track Watch: a grassroots Rheumatic Heart Disease initiative in the Northern Territory
- Determinants and outcomes of adherence to secondary prophylaxis for ARF
- Improving delivery of secondary prophylaxis for rheumatic heart disease: a stepped-wedge, community-randomised trial (2012-2016).
- Kerrigan V, McGrath SY, Majoni SW, Walker M, Ahmat M, Lee B, Cass A, Hefler M, Ralph AP. From “stuck” to satisfied: Aboriginal people’s experience of culturally safe care with interpreters in a Northern Territory hospital. BMC Health Services Research, 2021. doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06564-4
- Meumann EM, Horna K, Ralph AP, Framer B, Globan M, Stephenson E, Popple T, Boyd R, Kaestli M, Seemann T, Vandelannoote K, Lowbridge C, Barid R, Stinear T, Williamson D, Currie BJ, Krause VL. Tuberculosis in Australia's tropical north: a population-based genomic epidemiological study. The Lancet Regional Health Volume 15, 100229, October 01, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100229
- Ralph AP, Noonan S, Wade V, Currie BJ. The 2020 Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. MJA 2020. doi:10.5694/mja2.50851. 2020
- Tong SYC, Lye DC, Yahav D, Sud A, Robinson JO, Nelson J, Archuleta S, Roberts MA, Cass A, Paterson DL, Foo H, Paul M, Guy SD, Tramontana AR, Walls GB, McBride S, Bak N, Ghosh N, Rogers BA, Ralph AP…O'Sullivan M, Davis JS. Effect of Vancomycin or Daptomycin With vs Without an Antistaphylococcal β-Lactam on Mortality, Bacteremia, Relapse, or Treatment Failure in Patients With MRSA Bacteremia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2020;323:527-537. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.0103.
- Haynes E, Marawili M, Marika BM, Mitchell AG, Phillips J, Bessarab D, Walker R, Cooke J, Ralph AP. Community-based participatory action research on rheumatic heart disease in an Australian Aboriginal homeland: Evaluation of the ‘On track watch’ project. Eval Program Plann. 2019; 74:38– doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.02.010.
- de Dassel JL, de Klerk N, Carapetis JR, Ralph AP. How Many Doses Make a Difference? An Analysis of Secondary Prevention of Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(24):e010223. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.118.010223.
- Ralph AP, de Dassel JL, Kirby A, Read C, Mitchell AG, Maguire GP, Currie BJ, Bailie RS, Johnston V, Carapetis JR. Improving delivery of secondary prophylaxis for rheumatic heart disease: outcome of a stepped-wedge, community, randomized trial. JAHA; 2018: 7:e009308. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.118.009308.
- He V, Condon J, Ralph AP, Zhao Y, Roberts K, de Dassel J, Currie BJ, Fittock M, Edwards K, Carapetis J. Long-Term Outcomes from Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Data-Linkage and Survival Analysis Approach. Circulation. 2016; 134:222-32.
- Ralph AR, Carapetis JR. Group A Streptococcal diseases and their global burden. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol (Host-pathogen interactions in streptococcal diseases). 2013;368:1-27. doi: 10.1007/82_2012_280., 1-27.
- Ralph AP, Waramori G, Pontororing GJ, Kenangalem E, Wiguna A, Tjitra E, et al. L-arginine and Vitamin D adjunctive therapies in pulmonary tuberculosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(8):e70032. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070032
Click here to view more Anna Ralph publications in PubMed.
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MEDIA RELEASE | Codesign and communication supports a healthier future
The importance of codesigning First Nations healthcare and health research has been highlighted through insights by 4 researchers from Menzies School of Health Research.
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The Voice to Parliament "creates an opportunity to codesign a healthy future"
Four people working in the NT’s Top End share perspectives on the potential impact of the Voice to Parliament on health outcomes for First Nations peoples.
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Voice to Parliament: a Northern Territory doctor's perspective
As part of the InSight+ coverage of the Voice to Parliament, they spoke to Professor Anna Ralph, the Deputy Director of Research at Menzies School of Health Research.
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MEDIA RELEASE | Menzies appoints new Deputy Directors Research
Partnerships and innovation are the focus of the newly appointed Deputy Directors Research at Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies), Professor Louise Maple-Brown and Professor Anna Ralph.
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Healthier hearts in the tropical north
As part of the National Health and Medical Research Council's '10 of the Best' series, read more about Professor Anna Ralph's research in acute rheumatic fever.
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NPS | Rheumatic fever and heart disease
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ABC | Rheumatic heart disease still killing Australian children but a landmark study makes inroads
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MEDIA RELEASE | Menzies researchers in the top 2 per cent
Menzies School of Health Research is celebrating the work of its researchers who have been ranked amongst the world’s top scientists.
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MEDIA RELEASE | Sustained training key to support health services to cope with challenges
New research shows health systems can cope better with unprecedented challenges like COVID-19, through sustained staff training and support.
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Community-led approach reducing rheumatic fever
A community-based research project in the Northern Territory is providing hope to remote communities in reducing rheumatic fever cases.
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Outdated medical phrase causing trauma for Indigenous patients
A leading Indigenous heart health practitioner has labelled language standards used in medical notes as outdated and risking inflicting trauma on First Nations people.
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MEDIA RELEASE | Community-led approach delivers promising results to reduce rheumatic fever
Findings from a new study in the Northern Territory provide hope for reducing rheumatic fever cases and the bacterial infections that trigger the condition.
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ABC Katherine | Remote Laundries pilot in Barunga reduced scabies 'rapidly', now there are plans to expand
When Khalia Bush found her eldest daughter had developed a life-threatening heart condition, washing became a major part of her life.
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ABC Darwin Sundays - Job of the week - Infectious Disease Doctor
Professor Anna Ralph talks about her role as an Infectious disease doctor and researcher.
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MEDIA RELEASE | $1.5 million to improve patient-provider communication in NT hospitals
The Communicate Study, led by Menzies, was today awarded a five-year major investment of $1.5 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council to improve patient-provider communication at Royal Darwin, Gove and Katherine District Hospitals.
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NT News | Communication to be better after boost
Menzies School of Health Research has been awarded $1.5m to develop health communications in language for NT Aboriginal peoples.
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Working with communities to end rheumatic heart disease
Did you know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) at rates 60 times higher than non-Indigenous Australians? RHD is permanent heart damage, resulting from a throat or skin infection caused by Group A...
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Young Australian of the Year finalists committed to helping those in need
The NT's Young Australian of the Year also helped produce the Ask the Specialist podcast with Menzies School of Health Research.
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NT podcast recognised on national stage
A Northern Territory podcast designed to inspire better healthcare has picked up a silver medal for Smartest Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards.
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Podcast delivers specialist cultural advice on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare
A new Australian made podcast that reveals the reality of the hospital experience for Aboriginal patients in the Top End of the Northern Territory is receiving plaudits for its approach to cultural education in healthcare.
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Rheumatic heart disease endgame could save 650 lives in a decade
A WIDE-RANGING push, co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders, to eliminate rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Australia could save more than 650 lives over the next decade.
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Interpreters for Aboriginal people in hospital
On Health Report with Dr Norman Swan - Prof Anna Ralph - Menzies School of Health Research and Infectious Diseases Physician, RDH
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Sunday Territorian | Interpreters vital at RDH
A year-long study conducted by Royal Darwin Hospital has found an increase in the use of Aboriginal interpreters in hospitals is associated with a decline in the number of patients who leave treatment early.
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More Aboriginal interpreters result in less self-discharges from hospitals, new research finds
The Communicate study, led by Professor Anna Ralph, has found that employing Aboriginal interpreters in hospitals can impact the rate of patients leaving treatment early.
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Interpreter boost reduces patient self-discharge
A study conducted at RDH has found that increased use of Aboriginal interpreters was associated with a decrease in patients leaving treatment early.
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Increased interpreter use linked to decrease in patient self-discharges
A new study in the MJA has found that an increase in using Aboriginal interpreters in a hospital was associated with a decrease in patients leaving treatment early.
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The Magic Cure: A book to help Australian parents talk to kids about coronavirus
The Magic Cure, written by Professor Anna Ralph, tells the story of two human siblings, an elf, a wizard and the search for a cure for a mystery illness.
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The Magic Cure Book - Bridget Myerscough and Professor Anna Ralph
This storybook inspired by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic aims to empower young children who have been impacted by the social or health consequences of this infection.
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History of tuberculosis control in Australia
This case study focuses on the role played by NHMRC and Australian governments in the virtual eradication of tuberculosis in Australia during the 20th century.
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Coronavirus assistance to Pacific and Timor-Leste
Coronavirus [COVID-19] is now affecting 75 countries, with the total number of cases over 90,000 and the global death toll at more than 3000.
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Coronavirus assistance to Pacific and Timor-Leste
Coronavirus [COVID-19] is now affecting 75 countries, with the total number of cases over 90,000 and the global death toll at more than 3000.
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The fight against rheumatic heart disease continues into the new decade
Health experts from across Australia and New Zealand have teamed up with cultural advisors to address what they say is the greatest cardiovascular inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
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Trial shows using two drugs not better than one when treating MRSA blood infections
Researchers attempting to improve the treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood infections have discovered the combination of two antibiotics was no better than one, and led to more adverse effects.
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Trial shows using two drugs not better than one when treating MRSA blood infections
Researchers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood infections say combination of two antibiotics was no better than one.
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KSU interview with Associate Professor Anna Ralph
Interview with Kansas State University's Fulbright Scholar Associate Professor Anna Ralph with the host of "Agriculture Today" Eric Atkinson.
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Management of Tuberculosis: a guide for clinicians
The TB Forum has published "Management of Tuberculosis", edited and composed by many of the TB-CRE's key investigators. Including Menzies Associate Professor Anna Ralph
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How we can end TB by 2030
A regional research collaboration with the Menzies School of Health Research has been highly productive in building capacity in PNG and Indonesia,.
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Tuberculosis services in PNG in the journal Public Health Action.
A major output from the Tropical Disease Research Regional Collaborative Initiative between Menzies School of Health Research and the Burnet Institute was launched last week at the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Annual Medical Symposium in Port Moresby. A series of papers have been published by PNG health workers who provide tuberculosis services in PNG in a special supplement in the journal Public Health Action.
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Supporting TB health systems
This research was conducted as part of several initiatives led by a Menzies-Burnet regional consortium in partnership with institutions in Indonesia and PNG.
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Heartfelt song beats back infection
The song debuted at the Barunga Festival, after a collaboration between Skinnyfish Music, the Bupa Health Foundation, Telethon Kids and the Menzies School of Health Research.
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Catchy new song could save thousands of children from deadly RHD
Indigenous children in Barunga have put together a catchy song in the hope it will save others from a crippling disease killing thousands.
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RN Breakfast | Rheumatic heart disease on COAG health agenda
The Federal Government will outline a national plan to eradicate rheumatic heart disease at next week's COAG meeting of health ministers.
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RN Breakfast | Rheumatic heart disease on COAG health agenda
The Federal Government will outline a national plan to eradicate rheumatic heart disease at next week's COAG meeting of health ministers.
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Research offers hope for rheumatic fever sufferers
Northern Territory data has been used to prove that timely treatment for people with rheumatic fever reduces the risk of recurring illness and death.
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Words from Arnhem land: Aboriginal health messages need to be made with us rather than for us
When researchers from Menzies School of Health Research starting working with us on rheumatic heart disease, we explained that the children needed better nutrition.
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Media Release|True burden of rheumatic fever in NZ currently underestimated, new research reveals
Media Release | University of Otago
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True burden of rheumatic fever in NZ underestimated
The joint study by researchers from the University of Otago, ESR, University of Auckland and the Menzies School of Health Research, Australia.
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ABC | Rheumatic heart disease going undiagnosed by NT's fly-in doctors, cardiologist warns
The Northern Territory is home to some of the highest known rates of rheumatic heart disease in the world, but the transient nature of the region's medical practitioners could be hindering the fight to stop it.
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The ‘Communicate’ Study : Poster
A poster presentation on a study of patient-provider intercultural communication at Royal Darwin Hospital and consequently Aboriginal patient health outcomes, measured using quantitative and qualitative data.
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PNG-Aust researchers to combine under new grant program
Australian and Papua New Guinean research groups will work in partnership to address malaria, tuberculosis and other health security threats, under a new grants program funded by the Australian government.
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New evidence supports radical treatment of widespread form of malaria
A team of malaria experts from a large international research collaboration has today published results supporting the need for a radical cure strategy to tackle one of the most debilitating forms of malaria caused by the Plasmodium vivax parasite.
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Preventing RHD through community-driven activities
Health activities driven by remote Indigenous communities may be key to the sustainable and successful treatment and prevention of a potentially fatal disease, a study has found.
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Tuberculosis elimination course for Indonesian health workers
Menzies is collaborating with the Burnet Institute to deliver training in the prevention and eradication of tuberculosis (TB) to 25 visiting Indonesian health professionals.
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Rheumatic heart disease focus for NT Fulbright Scholar
Associate Professor Anna Ralph awarded an internationally renowned Fulbright Scholarship to help eliminate rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Australia.
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Funding fillip for fever tool - NT News
DARWIN’S Menzies School of Health Research will work with the Telethon Kids Institute to develop a cutting edge diagnostic tool to detect acute rheumatic fever.
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Territory Q features HOT NORTH
Read about our HOT NORTH collaboration in the latest Territory Q Magazine.
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Tuberculosis, Why haven’t we eliminated TB already?
Tuberculosis - Medical Republic Why haven’t we eliminated TB already?
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Rheumatic heart disease researchers on mission
The Northern Territory has the highest rate of rheumatic heart disease in the world, which is partly due to poor living conditions such as overcrowded housing, said Associate Professor Anna Ralph from the Menzies School of Health Research.
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CARPA Standard Treatment Manual 7th Edition
A clinic manual for primary health care practitioners in remote and Indigenous health services in central and northern Australia
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Funding boost to tackle health challenges in northern Australia
Work will begin to help close critical gaps in healthcare across northern Australia as the result of a $6m grant awarded today to Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
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$2m grant to combat drug resistant malaria and tuberculosis
A $2m research grant to work towards the prevention, control and elimination of malaria and tuberculosis (TB) in Southeast Asia and the Pacific has been awarded to a consortium led by Menzies School of Health Research, in collaboration with Burnet Institute, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced today.
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The Conversation: Lung gas holds clue for future tuberculosis treatment
Australian researchers have uncovered a link between low levels of the gas nitric oxide in the lungs of tuberculosis patients and the body’s ability to fight the deadly disease, opening the door to potential new treatments.
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Journal of Infectious Diseases: Impaired Pulmonary Nitric Oxide Bioavailability in Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Impaired Pulmonary Nitric Oxide Bioavailability in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Association with Disease Severity and Delayed Mycobacterial Clearance with Treatment.
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Research reveals new target to fight tuberculosis
New research from the Menzies School of Health Research could open the door to the development of new treatments for Tuberculosis (TB).
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Disease of the month: tuberculosis
With a history as long as mankind’s, TB lies dormant in one third of our global population.