Third line of treatment using antibiotics is now proving to be a preferred first line therapy to control Tuberculosis, according to a section of pulmonary experts.

On the occasion of the World TB Day observed on March 24, treatment continuity is proving to be a major issue going by the multi-drug regimes.  There is a huge challenge before TB specialists, to ensure regular drug in-take and assessment of  the medication charts of the patients who consider the disease and therapy regime as cumbersome. Although government hospitals are strictly adhering to Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS), there have been reports from private clinics that use of antibiotics prescribed to control bacteria infections are proving to provide relief for TB patients, stated Dr Shashidar Buggi, superintendent, SDS TB and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases.

According to Dr Ravindra M Mehta, Interventional Pulmonologist, Fortis Hospitals, while there are several drugs in the pipeline, what we have been observing is that prescription of antibiotic therapies seem to show considerable efficacy.

Some of these drugs according to a section of TB specialists from government hospitals in Karnataka are penicillin type antibiotics and  combination of antibiotic prescribed for infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

The dreaded disease which has been affecting a large number of economically weaker sections of the population is still on the rise. TB  prevalence in the middle and upper class of the population are imminent.  The government of India’s DOTS continues to be much-sought-after drug regime option in the government medical centres but corporate hospitals adopt the WHO 2010 guidelines which is suitable for an educated patient having an awareness to look at immunity improvement, creation of a hygienic environment besides affordability to treatment, stated Dr Mehta.

Although lung TB is reported to be the  highest in India, the contagious bacterial infection affecting lymph glands and brain meningitis are on the rise.

The TB India 2010, report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, estimates global annual incidence of 9.4 million TB cases, of which 1.98 million are from India. The country now accounts for a  fifth of the global burden of TB. The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has now completed over 11 years of its implementation, with 3 years national coverage.

India is reporting over 99,000 drug resistant TB cases annually. “The need of the hour is the diagnostic kits for faster detection of drug resistance,” said Dr Mehta.

On the World TB Day, the big challenge before the medical fraternity is the need for increased awareness, research to focus on reducing the number of drugs to be consumed a day during the TB therapy and monitor side effects. There is also a psychological aspect of the disease where patients are depressed and need adequate counselling, stated Dr Mehta.