In the African nation where the first extensively drug-resistant case of tuberculosis (XDR-TB) was found a few years ago, the doors soon will open on a new TB research facility. University of Alabama at Birmingham researcher Adrie Steyn, PhD, is the first scientist recruited to work at the facility.
Steyn, associate professor in the UAB Department of Microbiology, is an investigator for the new KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH) in Durban, South Africa; a collaboration between the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. HHMI has committed $60 million to the initiative.
Worldwide, somebody dies every 10 seconds from TB, but the statistics are much worse in South Africa, Steyn says. "In some regions, the TB incidence is extremely high about one in 100 people are affected. Many who are HIV-positive also have TB; obviously that is a major concern."
"We plan to study the mechanisms of micro-bacterial persistence, or dormancy. How does it escape drug therapy? How do we develop new vaccines? We will make full use of the resources at K-RITH," Steyn says.
"Its an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in my home country," says Steyn, who was born in Cape Town, South Africa.
Steyn will retain his faculty position and lab at UAB, an affiliation that will foster the educational and research goals of both UAB and K-RITH. One possibility is an educational exchange for students, post-doctoral research fellows and other faculty between K-RITH and UAB.
"Sending students or post-docs overseas is an unique experience in training and changing perceptions of the disease by contact with it. Many of us in the United States work in infectious diseases, but we have no real-life experience seeing ways in which these diseases affect people in countries like Africa, and this will allow that," Steyn says.
Aisha Farhana, PhD, a post-doctoral student in Steyns lab, is looking forward to working with him at K-RITH. "I have learned a great deal in the laboratory here. But the most important thing is to work closer to patients. We will have more facilities and a strong focus on TB, which is a global effort," Farhana says.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility will take place in mid-July in Durban. Steyn will be there to deliver a seminar. The health and science ministers for South Africa will attend, as will consular officials from the U.S. and several European countries.
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.