SCIENTISTS in the North-East are playing a little-known role in controlling the spread of tuberculosis, or TB, it was revealed last night.

The Health Protection Agency's regional centre, in Newcastle, is part of a small network of laboratories which are involved in the "DNA fingerprinting" of TB strains.

The Newcastle centre is one of only four regional centres outside London which are able to carry out the highly specialised molecular tests that identify different strains of TB.

Speedy investigation of outbreaks is essential, as it prevents more people from contracting the once fatal but now treatable disease.

TB was once the scourge of the North-East, but with modern medicines the disease has almost been wiped out.

In recent years, there has been an upward trend in TB cases in the region, partly due to an increase in people being admitted into the UK from parts of the world where TB is widely prevalent.

However, the background rate of TB in the North-East remains much lower than the national figure and a fraction of the rate found in London and a number of other English cities.

Dr John Magee, director of the Newcastle laboratory, said: "Culture specimens of confirmed cases of the disease from across the North of England come to the reference laboratory in Newcastle so that we can identify exactly which strain of TB is involved and whether it is linked to any others we are aware of."

While there has been concern about drug-resistant strains of TB, Dr Magee said that this was a tiny proportion of cases and usually related to patients failing to complete what is often a lengthy course of medication.

New national guidance on TB treatment stresses the need for patients to be given extra support to ensure compliance.

GPs are also being given extra guidance on prescribing.