Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although the disease mostly affects lungs, it can also affect other body parts such as spine, gastro-intestinal tract, eyes, genitals etc.
Symptoms of TB vary depending on the organs involved. Unintentional and rapid weight loss, fever and night sweats are common symptoms associated with TB. Chronic cough with blood-containing sputum is a defining symptom of tuberculosis of lungs.
The treatment of TB is a long-drawn process. The first-line of treatment of TB involves taking a combination drugs daily over 6 months. This kind of a treatment regime is difficult to adhere to, especially when the symptoms disappear within the first 1 month of the treatment. As a result only 30 % of the patients in India complete the treatment. When treatment is not completed, there are high chances of reinfection with severe forms such as multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), extremely-drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) and the deadliest totally-drug resistant TB (TDR-TB). TB has emerged as one of the deadliest communicable disease because it can quickly develop drug resistance.
Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is caused by microscopic organisms that have gotten to be safe to treatment at slightest two of the foremost capable first-line anti-TB solutions (drugs), isoniazid and rifampin. Fumble of TB treatment and person-to-person transmission are from individuals enduring from MDR TB are primary causes.
Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is caused by bacteria that have become resistant to treatment with at least four of the major anti-TB drugs and include two anti-TB drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin, [ 1 ]. plus resistance to each of the fluoroquinolones and three injectable secondary drugs (Amikacin, Caprio). Mycin or kanamycin) are resistant to at least one. Mismanagement of TB treatment and person-to-person transmission are from people suffering from XDR TB are main causes.