Restrepo Highlights Long-term Impacts of Tuberculosis Treatment in South Africa

Blanca I. Restrepo, PhD, professor in Epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Brownsville, was among the global experts who attended the Third International Post-Tuberculosis Symposium in April at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The symposium convened tuberculosis survivors, clinicians, researchers, and public health professionals from around the world to address the emerging and critical issue of life after the disease. 

As the senior author on a featured research poster, Restrepo presented findings that identified characteristics of tuberculosis patients from the U.S.-Mexico border region who are more likely to experience altered pulmonary function—specifically measured by spirometry—three months after completing treatment. These insights aim to inform early interventions that can improve long-term respiratory outcomes for tuberculosis survivors in this high-risk population. 

Restrepo also contributed to a second poster in collaboration with colleagues from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Together, the research team is developing a novel mouse model to study post-tuberculosis lung disease, paving the way for deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying long-term damage caused by the disease, even after the infection has been cured. 

“Until recently, tuberculosis care focused primarily on eradicating the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis,” Restrepo said. “But now we know that curing the infection is only part of the journey. There are an estimated 150 million tuberculosis survivors globally, and about 60% of them face a diminished quality of life. They are also dying eight to ten years earlier than peers of the same age.” 

This shift in focus from short-term treatment to long-term outcomes marks a transformative moment in tuberculosis care and research. Restrepo emphasized the urgent need to identify which patients are at greatest risk of post-tuberculosis complications and how best to support their full reintegration into everyday life—with a focus on both quality and quantity of life. 

The symposium served as a platform for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and building momentum toward global strategies that extend beyond the traditional scope of tuberculosis treatment. Restrepo’s contributions underscore the vital role UTHealth Houston is playing in shaping the future of tuberculosis survivorship and lung health.