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Presenting the European Forum for TB Innovation: innovative thinking in progressing towards TB elimination in Europe

On March 9, 2012 the European Respiratory Society (ERS) launched its first ever think tank on tuberculosis (TB): the European Forum for TB Innovation. When we, as prospective authors, sat down to tackle the content layout of this short editorial, we realised that we could not just use the academic tone that commonly characterises scientific articles. The principles that have led the ERS to embrace the discussion surrounding TB innovation transcend science and academic discussion. They are principles originating from the need to re-think TB control in Europe and beyond. We therefore felt that our personal account on how we came to agree to contribute to this new initiative was the only acceptable way of bringing this editorial to life.

I will admit it. I am not a TB expert. I started my career as a cardiologist, to later embrace the field of respiratory care with a keen interest in pneumonia. I am, in other words, not a usual suspect. But even while immersed in my clinical practice in one of the major Italian cities, Milan, I was alarmed by the subtle and ominous presence of TB.

I am not referring to the persistent and tireless reminding by ERS colleagues from the TB Assembly, that TB is everywhere and well rooted among our population. That played a role, too. But my awakening came with the realisation that TB and multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB in Europe, in Italy and in my city were and are besieging the life of the most vulnerable and anchoring their roots among the general population again [1–8]. Silently, but relentlessly.

The realisation that, in the 21st century, the tools to control the disease and alleviate patient suffering are still those described in the textbook I used throughout medical school has led me to commit …