The Indian journal of tuberculosis 

About: The Indian journal of tuberculosis is an academic journal published by Elsevier BV. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Tuberculosis & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 0019-5707. Over the lifetime, 1336 publications have been published receiving 8424 citations.

Post covid 19 pulmonary fibrosis- Is it real threat?

Abstract: After the COVID-19 outbreak, increasing number of patients worldwide who have survived COVID-19 continue to battle the symptoms of the illness, long after they have been clinically tested negative for the disease. As we battle through this pandemic, the challenging part is to manage COVID-19 sequelae which may vary from fatigue and body aches to lung fibrosis. This review addresses underlying mechanism, risk factors, course of disease and treatment option for post covid pulmonary fibrosis. Elderly patient who require ICU care and mechanical ventilation are at the highest risk to develop lung fibrosis. Currently, no fully proven options are available for the treatment of post inflammatory COVID 19 pulmonary fibrosis.

Reasons for non-compliance among patients treated under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), Tiruvallur district, south India.

Abstract: Objectives: To elicit reasons for treatment default from a cohort of TB patients under RNTCP and their DOT providers. Methods: A total of 186 defaulters among the 938 patients registered during 3rd and 4th quarters of 1999 and 2001 in one Tubercuflosis Unit (TU) of Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu and their DOT providers were included in the study. They were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Results: Sixteen (9%) had completed treatment, 25(13%) died after defaulting, and 4(2%) could not be traced. Main reasons given by the remaining 141 patients and their DOT providers were: drug related problems (42%, 34%), migration (29%, 31%), relief from symptoms (20%, 16%), work related (15%, 10%), alcohol consumption (15%, 21%), treatment from other centers (13%, 4%), respectively. Risk factors for default were alcoholism (P<0.001), category of treatment (P<0.001), smear status (P<0.001), type of disease (P<0.001) and inconvenience for DOT (P<0.01). Conclusion: This study has identified group of patients vulnerable to default such as males, alcoholics, smear positive cases, and DOT being inconvenient. Intensifying motivation and counselling of this group of cases are likely to improve patient compliance and reduce default.

A systemic review on tuberculosis.

Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB), which is caused by bacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, is one of the oldest diseases known to affect humans and a major cause of death worldwide. Tuberculosis continues to be a huge peril disease against the human population and according to WHO, tuberculosis is a major killer of the human population after HIV/AIDS. Tuberculosis is highly prevalent among the low socioeconomic section of the population and marginalized sections of the community. In India, National strategic plan (2017-2025) has a national goal of elimination of tuberculosis by 2025. It requires increased awareness and understanding of Tuberculosis. In this review article history, taxonomy, epidemiology, histology, immunology, pathogenesis and clinical features of both pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) has been discussed. A great length of detailed information regarding diagnostic modalities has been explained along with diagnostic algorithm for PTB and EPTB. Treatment regimen for sensitive, drug resistant and extensive drug resistant tuberculosis has been summarized along with newer drugs recommended for multi drug resistant tuberculosis. This review article has been written after extensive literature study in view of better understanding and to increase awareness regarding tuberculosis, as a sincere effort that will help eliminate tuberculosis off the face of the earth in near future.

Multidrug and extensively drug-resistant TB (M/XDR-TB): problems and solutions.

Abstract: Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB) are posing a threat to the control of tuberculosis. The first WHO-IUATLD antituberculosis drug resistance surveillance carried out in 1994 in 35 countries reported the median prevalence of primary and acquired multi drug resistance as 1.4% and 13% respectively. Subsequently, second, third and fourth WHO-IUATLD global drug resistance surveillances were carried out in 1996-99, 1999-2002 and 2002-2007 respectively. Based on drug resistance information from 114 countries, the proportion of MDR-TB among all cases was estimated for countries with no survey information. It was estimated that 4,89,139 cases of MDR-TB emerged in 2006. China and India carry approximately 50% of the global burden. 35 countries and two Special Administrative Regions (SARs) reported data on XDR-TB for the first time in 2006. Multidrug and extensively drug-resistant TB 2010 Global report on Surveillance and response estimated that 4,40,000 cases of MDR-TB emerged globally in 2008 and caused an estimated 1,50,000 deaths. 5.4% of MDR-TB cases were found to have XDR-TB. To date, a cumulative total of 58 countries have confirmed at least one case of XDR-TB. M/XDR-TB is a man-made problem and its emergence can be prevented by prompt diagnosis and effective use of first line drugs in every new patient. The DOTS Plus proposed by WHO highlights the comprehensive management strategy to control MDR-TB. Laboratory services for adequate and timely diagnosis of M/XDR-TB must be strengthened and programmatic management of M/XDR-TB must be scaled up as per target set by global plan. Proper use of second-line drugs must be ensured to cure existing MDR-TB, to reduce its transmission and to prevent XDR-TB. Sound infection control measures to avoid further transmission of M/XDR-TB and research towards development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines should be promoted to control M/XDR-TB.

Covid-19 and social stigma: Role of scientific community.

Abstract: COVID-19 has led to stigma and discrimination among various groups of people in different populations. Healthcare workers caring for those affected by COVID-19,3 people who have recovered from COVID-19,4 those belonging to lower socioeconomic groups, those having particular religious and racial identities have all been at the receiving end of the discrimination. COVID-19 has led to reinforcement of preexisting stereotypes against various groups. For instance, in Italy, in weeks before the national lockdown started, a state of emergency was declared but everyday life was going on as always, the sentiment toward the Chinese community changed: their restaurants were left empty, more and more parents did not want their children to go to school if they had a Chinese classmate, and a high-profile politician said on TV that 'we have all seen them eat live mice'.