The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2022 is pleased to host 5^th edition of TBScience, an official event entirely devoted to basic and translational TB research. Held during the Union Conference between 8-11 November, TBScience 2022 will again be held in a fully virtual format.

TBScience is devoted to basic and clinical science on tuberculosis. Abstracts should:

1. Respond to at least one of the 4 session themes:
   
   1. TB risk and outcome: influence of co-morbidities and environmental factors
   2. Tackling TB disease across the spectrum
   3. TB data in a globalised world
   4. TB and respiratory microbiota
2. Contain original data not published at the time of the abstract submission deadline
3. Focus on any of the following research fields:
   
   1. Basic research (microbiology, immunology, -omics, etc)
   2. Animal model studies
   3. Clinical research
   4. Epidemiology and transmission modeling
4. Not eligible are abstracts related to:
   
   1. Implementation, operational and programmatic research
   2. Descriptive epidemiology (e.g. prevalence surveys)
   3. Health economics, social science research

• All TBScience 2022 abstracts must be submitted online via the dedicated system that will be available from 16 June to 31 July. Abstracts submitted by email or any alternative method will not be considered.
• Persons submitting TBScience 2022 abstracts will be notified of acceptance or rejection of their submissions by end of August 2022.
• If you represent a UN organisation, please select the name of the organisation from the list available in the drop down menu.
• A listed co-author other than the corresponding author may register and present the study at the conference. The corresponding author is responsible for the abstract content. S/he is the contact person for submission and communication purposesand is also responsible for disseminating information related to the session to the co-authors.
• The presenting author by submitting their abstract agrees to make themselves (or a colleague) available during the conference for a virtual question and answer session/ poster tour/ and or record a short presentation that can be placed online within the conference platform.
• The maximum number of authors and institutions is eight.
• If all authors belong to a single institution, you do not need to create new affiliations for each author
• When submitting, click on “Institutes” to fill in the affiliation fields.
• Please note that alternate language interpretations of presentations will not be provided.

THEMES

Abstract submissions, either oral or poster presentations, should be aligned with one of the below listed four session themes:

Theme 1: TB risk and outcome: influence of co-morbidities and environmental factors

The risk of TB and its outcome are intimately linked to factors other than the mycobacterial infection alone. The session will explore how host characteristics such as age, pregnancy and nutritional status; co-morbidities such as HIV infection and diabetes; and environmental and climatic factors effect TB manifestations, diagnosis and management.

Theme 2: Tackling TB disease across the spectrum

Growing awareness of TB’s temporal course provides new opportunities for combating the disease – from the incipient and subclinical stages as a possible window for redirecting TB epidemics, to post-TB lung disease as a source of morbidity requiring better management and prevention. This session will explore the implications of recent research for how we address the spectrum of TB disease, with a focus on the development of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies across the spectrum of TB disease.

Theme 3: TB data in a globalised world

Harnessing data to catalyse progress in TB science is of growing importance. This session will explore how to enhance global data access and interoperability, facilitate big data approaches, promote transdisciplinary integration of trial, clinical, programmatic, biological, and geospatial data, and ultimately use data to advance science and benefit people in TB care. We will consider the role of nations, regulators, and the WHO in facilitating data collection and its real-time sharing to inform such efforts.

Theme 4: TB and respiratory microbiota

This session will place TB in the context of current knowledge about respiratory microbiota and the eubiotic conditions needed to maintain health and prevent the invasion of pathogens. It will consider the impact of TB treatment on dysbiosis and on selection of antimicrobial resistance, including how treatment of refractory TB with mycobacteriophages might minimize these effects. The impact of the TB infection itself on respiratory microbiota and post-TB pathologies will also be discussed.

• The abstract should be in English, and no more than 300 words.
• Type the title of the abstract in upper and lower case, using capitals only for the first word, acronyms and proper nouns.
• Titles of more than 25 words (110 characters and spaces) will be truncated.
• One table or one figure may be included with the abstract.
• If you wish to submit a table with your abstract, note that it should be no larger than 5 rows by 10 columns.
• If you wish to submit a figure with your abstract, note the maximum file size of each graph/image is 5 MB. The maximum pixel size of the graph is 600(w) x 800(h). You may upload graphs in JPG, GIF or PNG format.
• Recommended resolution: min. 150 dpi, 300 dpi for images, 600 dpi for line art (charts).
• Important: the graphic content must be clearly legible when previewing the abstract.
• Low-resolution images will not be included in the Abstract Book.
• Please note that tables and figures are reproduced in a single column with the abstract and that legibility is the responsibility of the author. We recommend that you use a sans serif (Arial or Calibri) font for clarity.
• Use the palette of characters provided to insert symbols, accents and special formatting (e.g.,italics, bold, β, μ, etc.).
• Abbreviations and acronyms must be written out in full at the first mention in the text.
• Authors are responsible for proofreading and submitting an abstract without errors.

• Authors are given flexibility with regards to the structure of their abstract.
• No imposed abstract sections such as Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions are required.
• It is the responsibility of the author to present the abstract in a cohesive way.

• The Union is committed to promoting patient-centred language
• When drafting your abstract, please follow the guidance laid out in the Stop TB Partnership’s publication, Suggested Language and Usage for Tuberculosis (TB) Care, Communications and Publications.

SUBMITTING AN ABSTRACT

• To submit a new abstract, create a user account on the abstract submission platform
• Ensure that you carefully read all instructions given on the screen at each step of the process.
• Do not upload the text of your abstract as an attachment. Abstracts submitted as attachments will not be considered.
• Please refrain from submitting multiple abstracts on the same topic by varying the authors or under different titles with only minor word changes. In such cases, all of the submissions on that topic will be automatically rejected.

POST-SUBMISSION

• The corresponding author will receive an email confirming that the submitted abstract has been received successfully, with an attachment of the submission.
• After the abstract has been submitted, it can still be edited. However, please make sure that you submit it in its final version before the deadline.

• All submitted abstracts will be sent for peer review by a panel of international experts.
• The scores will then be submitted to a reviewing committee. Note that decisions of the abstract review committee are final and cannot be appealed.

• Corresponding authors will be notified of acceptance of their abstracts by end of August 2022.
• Abstracts that are  not  accepted  cannot  be  reconsidered for  review  or  presentation  at  the conference.

• Confirmation that the work has not been previously submitted for consideration to the general portion of the Union Conference.
• The address, phone and email address where the author may be contacted.
• Information if you require a scholarship to register for the conference.