Human tuberculosis in India: Some neglected issues

Publication date: March–April 2018Source: Current Medicine Research and Practice, Volume 8, Issue 2Author(s): T.D. ChughAbstractTuberculosis (TB) has a high global burden with high mortality including India. The actual data may not be accurate due to lack of proper identification and reporting. The source of bovine tuberculosis and its management is also still undetermined. India has the largest burden of human tuberculosis in the world, the annual reported cases being 2.2 million. However, 80% of our healthcare is in private sector which does not report its cases. There is thus a gross underestimate of the disease due to poor surveillance. However, using actual consumption of anti tubercular (ATT) drugs in India as a marker, there is a much larger burden of the disease (2–3 times higher). Also, the prevalence of tuberculosis in animals (especially cattle and even domesticated wild animals) with a risk of zoonosis and reverse zoonosis in India is not known. Mycobacterium bovis causing pulmonary and extra pulmonary disease in humans, its clinical impact on the course of disease and mortality especially due to inherent resistance of M.bovis to the first-line antitubercular drug (pyrazinamide) needs investigation.
Source: Current Medicine Research and Practice - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research