Our core content on Lung conditions and related factsheets has been translated to a number of other languages.
For more languages explore all available Factsheet translations.
Volunteer as a translator or learn how to translate using Chrome, Firefox or Edge browsers.
Our core content on Lung conditions and related factsheets has been translated to a number of other languages by our volunteer team.
For more languages explore all available Factsheet translations.
Volunteer as a translator or learn how to translate using Chrome, Firefox or Edge browsers.
The origins of human tuberculosis (TB) have been traced back to hunter-gatherer groups in Africa 70,000 years ago, according to an international team of scientists.
The work, published in Nature Genetics, goes against the common belief that TB originated in animals only 10,000 years ago and spread to humans.
Researchers combined geographic and genetic data from 259 strains of TB to reconstruct its evolutionary history and compare it to early humans in Africa.
The question the scientists are now trying to answer is how TB managed to survive 60,000 years among these small groups of people.
A striking feature of TB, which is not common in other diseases, is that people can be infected with it for years before showing any symptoms. The disease is able to reactivate itself after a certain time period, known as latency.
This latency is what the researchers suggest kept TB alive during the early years.
Sign up to our free monthly newsletter to get the latest information and research news on lung conditions, plus views from experts and patients! You can unsubscribe at any time.
ELF is a non-profit organisation registered as a UK company (VAT no. GB 115 0027 74) and charity (no. 1118930).
Our Brussels office enterprise number is 0738.383.695
European Lung Foundation's TR ID number in the Transparency Register is: 094039644810-79
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
No description