Methodological advances in the investigation of drug-resistant tuberculosis in the post-pandemic period in the state of São Paulo: Contributions from Johns Hopkins

• Grant number: 25/25540-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: January 31, 2026
• End date: July 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Public Health Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Alexandre Arcêncio
• Grantee: Reginaldo Bazon Vaz Tavares
• Supervisor: Jason Farley
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Johns Hopkins University (JHU), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/16905-4 - Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of tuberculosis and its temporal trend in the State of São Paulo., BP.DD

Abstract

This research project aims to investigate the dynamics of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in the post-COVID-19 context in São Paulo State, Brazil, integrating spatial and temporal analyses. Although TB control has advanced globally, the rise of drug-resistant forms remains a major challenge, especially after the pandemic disrupted diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance systems. São Paulo, which reports a high number of DR-TB cases, serves as a strategic setting to assess these effects and guide future control strategies.The study will analyze clinical and epidemiological data from 2015 to 2023 to identify temporal and spatial patterns in DR-TB detection, outcomes, and resistance trends. The research internship will be conducted at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Jason Farley at the Center for Infectious Disease and Nursing Innovation (CIDNI). This collaboration will strengthen scientific exchange between Johns Hopkins and the University of São Paulo, enhance methodological expertise in epidemiological modeling, and foster the development of innovative, nurse-led approaches to DR-TB care. The partnership aims to generate high-impact scientific outputs and contribute to the global End TB Strategy. (AU)