Breakthrough in TB medication

Tuberculosis can be a difficult disease to treat, particularly when patients are diagnosed with drug-resistant forms of the disease. Only about 50% of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients recover and the treatment can be debilitating. Now, scientists and researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand and the Clinical HIV Research Unit have led groundbreaking research improving the quality of treatment for patients. The improvements, announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO), include the reduction of treatment time from 18 to six months, an intake of 23 pills a week instead of 23 a day, elimination of painful side-effects and a survival rate of nine out of 10. The research, led by Dr Norbert Ndjeka, has altered international policy and has changed WHO guidelines for TB treatment. “The findings from this study will inform treatment programmes across the world, make treatment of the deadly scourge of TB more tolerable for patients, improve outcomes for patients and relieve pressure on health systems,” said Professor Shabir Mahdi, dean of the faculty of health sciences and professor of vaccinology at Wits University.

Snake karma kills snake charmer 

A snake charmer in Tanzania met his fate after being called for his services, which involved catching and killing venomous snakes. James Henry was called to a northeastern village where two cobras had been found. He successfully captured one cobra, but the other continued to lurk around the area. Once Henry was able to capture it, he played with the snake to impress onlookers. At this point he was attacked by the cobra, which bit him on his finger and mouth. Henry died while being treated with antivenom.

Black hole comes to light

South African…