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States » EastPosted at: Apr 1 2025 6:15PM


Over 40 percent of India’s population carries Tuberculosis bacteria: Dr. Pothal

Bhubaneswar, Apr 1 (UNI) More than 40 percent of India's population carries the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria, even though their microbiological test reports are negative, an eminent expert on the disease has said.
Although these individuals harbor the bacteria, the disease does not manifest in them immediately. However, around 10 percent eventually develop the illness.
Despite being asymptomatic, these latent TB cases continue to spread the disease, said Prof. (Dr.) Sudarsan Pothal, Professor at Sri Jagannath Medical College and Hospital, Puri.
"The need of the hour is to screen all patients visiting a doctor or hospital for any medical condition to detect latent tuberculosis," he emphasized. "This can be achieved using portable X-ray machines," he added while speaking at a program organized to observe World TB Week at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital on Saturday.
Prof. (Dr.) Pothal stressed that identifying and treating silent carriers is crucial, as they will continue spreading tuberculosis unless transmission is curtailed through systematic screening.
He also highlighted the effectiveness of the new BPaLM regimen for TB treatment, describing it as safe and efficient, offering a faster recovery option compared to traditional treatments.
"The new regimen consists of four drugs—Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin—which have a better safety profile and a 94 percent success rate," he said.
Additionally, he noted that the treatment duration is significantly shorter, ranging from 26 to 38 weeks.
The program was also addressed by Dr. Mohan Venkatesh Pulle, Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at the Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery, and Lung Transplantation at Medanta-The Medicity, Gurugram.
Dr. Pulle remarked that before 1940, tuberculosis was primarily treated through surgery, as it was the preferred method at the time. He pointed out that the development of thoracic surgery over the past century was largely driven by the need to treat tuberculosis.
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Tags: #Over 40 percent of India’s population carries Tuberculosis bacteria: Dr. Pothal
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