He@lth Information on the Internet
Tuberculosis information on the Web
Khaled Abu-Amero PhD FRSH Molecular Genetics and DNA Diagnostic Laboratory, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia
Information of all kinds may be accessed by the Internet. Nowadays, it is quicker to retrieve information from the Internet than to make a trip to the library and in the last 5 years the Internet has emerged as an essential tool for information on a wide variety of subjects including tuberculosis (TB). TB remains a serious global health problem. The spread of HIV infection and the emergence of multi-drug-resistant strains are contributing to the worsening impact of the disease. The Internet has expanded greatly since its creation and looking for the right information can be tedious, so it is helpful to know which Web sites to surf to avoid wasting time. This article points readers in the right direction to search for information on TB. All sites listed here have been tested and proven to be valuable and informative for the public and the scientific community.
A to Z list of WEB SITES
Action TB · A multinational (UK, South Africa, Canada, USA) research initiative funded by Glaxo Welcome, with the aim of developing new anti-TB drugs. Site contains a record of the group’s research efforts, links to other TB sites. American Lung Association · A voluntary organisation providing public information on how to prevent lung diseases including TB. Site includes data and statistics, research, programmes and events. Atlanta Tuberculosis Prevention Coalition (USA) · The coalition organises collaboration and co-ordination of activities among all agencies serving persons who have or are at risk from TB in Atlanta. Site contains projects, educational material, electronic TB registry, publications, TB links, downloadable TB reference guide aimed at practitioners. Brown University TB-HIV Research Laboratory (USA) · The laboratory researches into prevention and treatment of major infectious diseases, e.g. HIV and TB. Site contains current research activities, publications, links to similar sites. Bureau of Tuberculosis Control, New York City Department of Health (USA) · The bureau’s mission is to eliminate TB as a public health problem in New York City. Site contains information geared to the public. Canada, Tuberculosis Prevention and Control · A section of Health Canada with the mission to provide leadership and work in collaboration with other partners to achieve the elimination of TB in Canada. Site covers educational materials, current events, links to similar organisations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (USA) · US government site covering international notification of TB cases, drug susceptibility situation, reported TB cases in the US, continuing educational activities, self-study modules, surveillance reports, morbidity and mortality weekly reports, other publications, TB links. Francis J. Curry National Tuberculosis Center (USA) · The organisation is funded by CDC’s Division of Tuberculosis Elimination with the goal of decreasing TB morbidity through training, technical assistance, demonstration projects and enhanced programme activities, e.g. via online access. Integrated Mycobacterial Database (MycDB) · A freely available database funded by WHO and the Fondation Raoul Follereau and maintained by the Institut Pasteur, Paris, and the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. Contains data on physical mapping, nucleotide sequences, antigens, antibodies and bibliographic information about research papers. International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD) · A non-profit, non-governmental, voluntary organisation dedicated to the prevention and control of TB and lung diseases. Site covers TB control, courses, conferences, publications including access to their newsletter and to the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases. Japan Anti TB Association (JATA), Research Institute of Tuberculosis · JATA aims to promote public concern on TB and related diseases’ prevention, through education, information and research. Site details current activities and facilities. Hosts the International Tuberculosis Information Center (ITIC) which collects information on TB epidemiology and control programmes globally, maintains a computerised database system and produces publications, including statistics. Johns Hopkins Center for Tuberculosis Research (USA) · An internationally famous research centre. Site covers current research activities, current TB news, links to Johns Hopkins Infectious Diseases antibiotic guide, treatment, drug information, Q&A forum. MEDLINEplus: tuberculosis · US National Library of Medicine site for health professionals and consumers. Site contains disease descriptions, treatment, TB links, updated Medline searches.
4
DECEMBER 2001
He@lth Information on the Internet
National Tuberculosis Center, New Jersey Medical School (USA) · One of the three Model Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Centers in the US. Site provides access to expert medical consultation, training of health care providers and other healthrelated professionals, resource centre with information and educational materials accessible via the phone and the Internet. National Tuberculosis Controllers Association (USA) · Association brings together the leaders of TB control programmes across the USA. Site gives details of members, TB links. NewsRX Network · NewsRx is a private company offering both printed and online publications. Site offers daily news items on health topics plus a searchable backlist. One of the sources covered is TB & Outbreaks Weekly. However, the items are only covered briefly. To obtain detailed information users must pay a subscription. Northeast Regional RFLP Laboratory for DNA typing, Department of Health, New York State (USA) · Laboratory providing DNA typing services using RFLP for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates. Site contains information about services and TB links. North West Tuberculosis Nurses Association (UK) · Association for nurses in the NW of England who specialise in the prevention and treatment of TB. Site gives contact details of local TB nurses and consumer health leaflets. Princeton Project 55 Initiative (TBI) (USA) · An independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to increasing public awareness about TB by providing information, lobbying government and media advocacy. Site covers current activities, TB links. Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) (UK) · The PHLS’ role is to protect the population from infection by detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring communicable diseases, including TB. Site contains disease details, newsletter, news and events, TB links, the Mycobacteriology Programme which develops and provides rapid diagnostic and reference services for mycobacterial disease, monitoring and surveillance, advice, education and training, research. Royal Netherlands Tuberculosis Association (KNCV) · KNCV co-ordinates TB control activities in The Netherlands and supports the implementation of national guidelines. Activities include surveillance, research, training and capacity building, health education, and support for TB programmes in nonindustrialised countries. Site provides information on activities; an English version is available. The Sanger Centre (UK) · A genome research centre primarily funded by the Wellcome Trust. Site provides up-to-date lists of sequences and genes identified in M. tuberculosis and related species. Stanford Center for Tuberculosis Research (USA) · This site was created to foster international collaboration globally amongst researchers and provides links to principal investigators in the TB field and their areas of interest. Contains a message board to facilitate research discussions amongst scientists. Stop TB · Stop TB is a global movement to accelerate social and political action to stop the world-wide spread of TB. The mission is to ensure that every person with TB has all necessary information and access to treatment and cure. Site provides information about resources, events, working groups and Stop TB partners. TB Alert (UK) · This charity, formed in 1998, aims to increase TB awareness in the UK and to provide resources for service work and research in developing countries. Site contains details of their current activities. TB Focus (UK) · TB Focus aims to unite TB researchers whatever their interest and background. It works in conjunction with TB Alert. Provides access to articles and papers and a search facility for Priory Medical journals. TB Research Materials and Vaccine Testing Contract (USA) · The Colorado State University is funded to provide the research community with M. tuberculosis materials, technical expertise, vaccine testing and other related services. Site gives details on how to obtain these services, plus a set of TB links. Texas Center for Infectious Disease (USA) · This is a public health facility of the Texas Department of Health. It provides patient care, scientific investigation, therapeutic and educational services for the public. Site contains details about current activities and educational information. Tuberculosis Antimicrobial Acquisition and Coordinating Facility (TAACF) (USA) · Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), TAACF offers a free service for screening compounds in high quality in vitro and in vivo assays. The aim is to encourage academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop TB drugs. Site also provides service details, TB information and links. Tuberculosis Research Center (TRC) (India) · The centre focuses on all aspects of TB research nationally. Site covers current events (workshops and programmes), the TB situation in India and world-wide, DOTS and the TB control programme in India, links to TRC publications. Tuberculosis Resources · List of TB links maintained by the Medical Informatics Department, Columbia University, USA. Wetmore TB Foundation (USA) · This foundation is run by the Louisiana State University Medical Center, with the aim of increasing community awareness of TB. Site contains community education materials, professional updates and TB resources and updated references. WHO Global Tuberculosis Program · WHO programme with the goal of reducing TB morbidity and deaths by promoting world-wide use of DOTS (directly observed treatment, short-course) and other control strategies and developing new strategies. Site provides full-text publications, e.g. Global TB Control Program annual reports, AntiTuberculosis Drug Resistance in the World reports.
DECEMBER 2001
5