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The TBPod

The TBPod is a podcast for clinicians and policymakers caring for patients with tuberculosis. The podcasts present discussions with expert clinicians, researchers, policymakers and advocates about their work in the field of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and is an important contributor to morbidity among migrants arriving in Australia and New Zealand. There are around 1300 reported cases of TB in Australia each year, and a further 300 in New Zealand. Included in these figures are cases of multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB which pose significant barriers to treatment and management of the disease. The Australian government has committed to the global elimination of TB by 2030, but to do so requires the development of innovative new strategies, based on high-quality research, that has national and international reach. These podcasts aim to engage and update those who are interested in the field of tuberculosis through discussions with leaders in the field of tuberculosis.

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The TBPod

How WGS is shaping the public health in Australia

September 01, 2023

Today we speak with Professor Justin Denholm about his work with the National TB Advisory Committee in Australia and the role whole genome sequencing (WGS) has in public health. Professor Denholm talks about how WGS is expanding the way we think about tuberculosis and how this WGS can bring us into a new age of TB elimination strategy.

REFERENCES
1. Ferdinand, Angeline S., et al. "An implementation science approach to evaluating pathogen whole genome sequencing in public health." Genome Medicine 13 (2021): 1-11.

2. Dale, Katie, et al. "Whole genome sequencing for tuberculosis in Victoria, Australia: A genomic implementation study from 2017 to 2020." The Lancet Regional Health–Western Pacific28 (2022).

3. Donnan, Ellen J., et al. "The use of whole genome sequencing for tuberculosis public health activities in Australia: a joint statement of the National Tuberculosis Advisory Committee and Communicable Diseases Genomics Network." Communicable Diseases Intelligence 47 (2023).

4. Al Abri, Seif, et al. "Tools to implement the World Health Organization End TB Strategy: Addressing common challenges in high and low endemic countries." International Journal of Infectious Diseases 92 (2020): S60-S68.

5. Migliori, Giovanni Battista, et al. "The path to tuberculosis elimination: a renewed vision." European Respiratory Journal61.6 (2023).