Deep within the high-containment labs at Saskatoon’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, researchers are working on how to shorten the treatment plan for human tuberculosis.

Although many people in developed countries believe tuberculosis is no longer a current threat, 1.3 million people die from the disease each year, and over 10 million are infected, worldwide.

Dr. Neeraj Dhar says the current treatment plan straps patients in for six months of costly antibiotics and side effects, leading many people to drop it before completion, ultimately creating drug-resistant TB.

“People start taking the antibiotics, they start to feel a bit better, and they stop taking the antibiotics before the six months are completed. Studies have shown that any time the treatment is interrupted before the six months is completed, the TB inevitably come back.”

The bacteria comes back stronger, and often resistant to the treatment antibiotics.

Dr. Dhar says by studying the bodily pathways that are essential for the bacteria to survive, he can determine which areas of the human body are optimal for drug targeting and hopefully shorten the treatment plan from 6 months to just one month.

“In the field, in the research community, we like to challenge ourselves, and this has been a dream if we can get it down to one month.”

Right here in Saskatchewan, the TB rate is nearly double the national average. He attributes this to localized issued such as overcrowded housing conditions, a lack of access to care, and food insecurity.

“The Inuit communities have the highest rates. The TB rates in the Inuit communities are almost ten times the national average.”

This is because, “Historically, there have been specific communities (with TB), and that’s where the disease continues to areas in certain sporadic outbreaks that keep happening.”

He adds that if you’re experiencing a persistent cough for over a month, weight loss, insomnia, or night sweats, you should get yourself tested for TB.

Tuesday was World Tuberculosis Day.