India has highest number of tuberculosis patients—How it's fighting back
What's the story
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge in India, where it accounts for the highest number of cases globally.
In a major breakthrough, Indian researchers have mapped the genomes of 10,000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, paving the way for the diagnosis and treatment of TB.
The breakthrough, which has been announced on World Tuberculosis Day, is expected to be a game-changer in the battle against TB.
Disease details
Understanding TB and its drug-resistant strains
TB is an ancient disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mainly affecting the lungs but other body parts too.
It spreads through air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Though treatable with antibiotics, drug-resistant strains have complicated treatment due to bacteria mutations developing resistance to standard medications.
Traditional methods of diagnosing these resistant strains can take weeks, delaying treatment and increasing transmission risk.
Sequencing success
Genome sequencing: A breakthrough in TB diagnosis
To address the challenge of drug-resistant TB, India announced the Dare2eraD TB initiative on March 24, 2022.
The Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance (InTGS) Consortium is working under this program.
It is a collaborative effort that involves the Department of Biochemistry, CSIR, and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) institutes.
The consortium has finished genome sequencing of 10,000 MTB strains across India using advanced techniques that analyze the complete genetic material of bacteria.
Rapid detection
Genomic tests enable rapid identification of drug-resistant TB
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized the promise of next-generation genomic tests in facilitating quicker and more accurate identification of drug-resistant TB strains.
Unlike conventional tests that might take weeks, genomic sequencing can provide resistance profiling within hours or days.
This swift identification facilitates quicker treatment decisions and could greatly enhance patient outcomes.
Treatment enhancement
Improving treatment success rates
Genome sequencing can identify the resistant mutations quickly, ensuring patients get the right medications without unnecessary delays.
Since various TB strains respond differently to drugs, this information permits doctors to prescribe medications based on the specific genetic make-up of bacteria in a patient's body.
This personalized approach might improve treatment success rates and reduce relapses, bringing India closer to its goal of eliminating TB by 2025.
Implementation hurdles
Genome sequencing faces challenges in India
Despite its potential, the widespread adoption of genome sequencing for TB diagnosis and resistance testing faces several challenges in India.
Cost and accessibility are significant barriers that need to be addressed.
Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, emphasized the importance of large-scale implementation in making India TB-free through successful use of genome sequencing techniques.