Implementation Science & Multimorbidity (Prof. Katharina Kranzer)
Based in Harare, Zimbabwe, Prof. Katharina Kranzer serves as Director of the Health Research Unit Zimbabwe (THRU-Zim), part of the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI). She holds academic appointments at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at the LMU University Hospital).
Her research focuses on tuberculosis (TB), antimicrobial resistance, and health systems in high-burden settings.
She co-leads the ERASE-TB study, funded by EDCTP, together with PD Dr. med. Norbert Heinrich (Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, LMU University Hospital Munich). The study aims to evaluate novel diagnostic tools for early TB detection and targeted preventive treatment.
Current projects (selection)
In the ERASE-TB (Early risk assessment in TB contacts by the use of new tests) study, the early diagnosis of developing tuberculosis in TB contacts will be established using new diagnostic assays. In 2021, the international research team began recruiting up to 2,100 contact persons with infectious pulmonary tuberculosis for the study. The study is being conducted with local partners in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe and will be followed up for up to 2 years.
ERASE-TB Newsletter
RESTORE is a pragmatic cluster-randomised trial in 26 polyclinics across Harare, Bulawayo and Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe, testing whether integrating mental health, diabetes, nutritional, pulmonary and peer-led support into routine TB care can address the multiple long-term conditions that often accompany TB. Led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine with the University of Sydney and investigators from LMU Klinikum, in partnership with Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care, the National TB Programme, and the Harare and Bulawayo city health departments, it is funded by UKRI and NHMRC through the Global Alliance for Chronic Disease. Starting in January 2026, the study uses the six-month TB treatment period to move beyond siloed services and improve long-term health and socio-economic outcomes for TB survivors.
This single-centre observational study uses advanced cardiac imaging and biochemical profiling to characterise heart disease in 350 adults with confirmed pulmonary TB and 150 matched comparators without TB.
Led by LSHTM and LMU Munich with funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, it began in April 2026.
Findings will guide interventions to improve TB treatment outcomes and reduce post-TB disability.
Further activities by Prof. Katharina Kranzers research group are available in the "Capacity Development" section.