Diagnostic centres  including SRL Labs are now clear that only accurate and early detection of skeletal TB can achieve timely therapy and facilitate early recovery.

Spinal tubercular infection is the most common and dangerous form of skeletal tuberculosis. It is also known as Pott's TB and affects10-40 per cent patients.  Paraplegia is the most serious complication of spinal TB and its occurrence is reported to be as high as 30 per cent in patients with spinal TB.  India is the highest TB burden country with an estimated 1.8 million cases.

“In fact, spinal TB constitutes 50 per cent of all bone and joint tuberculosis affecting thoracic and lumbar spine area,” Dr B R Das, president-research & innovation, Mentor-Molecular Pathology and Clinical Research Services, SRL Diagnostics Limited

There are no risk factors that could be attributed but symptoms are in the active stage, indicate patients present with a general feeling of discomfort, he added.

The latest options in diagnostics  available are radioimaging techniques: CT/MRI scan. There are range of molecular tests: Xpert MTB/RIF and PCR with over 70 per cent sensitivity. The liquid and solid culture have a 50 per cent sensitivity and  AFB Microscopy with 10 per cent sensitivity, stated Dr Das.

Recent advancements are majorly in molecular technologies: Xpert MTB/RIF and Line Probe Assays. Both provide early detection and drug susceptibility to major first-line TB drug rifampicin

Late detection leads to spread of the infectious air-borne disease to a number of other people; thereby increasing the rate of transmission and it is a serious challenge to control spinal TB.

TB is not in association with any age group. But, lumbar associated spinal TB is seen more in children and adolescents; while thoracic associated spinal TB is more common in adults.

 On the occasion of the World TB day observed annually on March 24, TB specialists and diagnostic centres  insist that accurate and early diagnosis are the cornerstone to achieve timely therapy and facilitate early recovery, said Dr Das.