Why is TB still killing people?
Summary
Host Marnie Chesterton investigates why tuberculosis remains incurable, prompted by a question from Tanzanian doctor John. Experts explain that the BCG vaccine is ineffective in adults and antibiotic treatments are lengthy, allowing drug resistance to develop. The episode highlights new vaccine candidates like M72 and emphasizes that TB persists largely due to poverty and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
Topics discussed
Intro, ads, and visiting Orwell's death site
George Orwell's death and TB history
Listener question: Why is TB still uncured?
History and limitations of the BCG vaccine
How TB bacteria interact with the immune system
The grueling reality of TB treatment
Mid-roll ads and episode recap
TB's biology and the 'sleeping' state
Challenges in TB research and containment
New vaccine trials and personal impact
Poverty, funding, and closing thoughts
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