India: Surge in drug-resistant TB cases across Maharashtra
PUNE: Maharashtra recorded 779 cases of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), the world's most untreatable form of TB, in 2015 - the highest figure recorded in last five years.
Mumbai registered the most number of cases at 475, higher than the total number of cases (469) reported in the state in 2014. The latest report of the state health department has revealed this information.
XDR-TB is a rare form of tuberculosis that is resistant to at least four of the core anti-TB drugs. It takes a substantially longer time to treat this form of the disease than the drug-susceptible form and requires the use of second-line anti-TB drugs, which are expensive.
Health experts say the rise in the detection rate of XDR-TB cases is not surprising, given the widespread prevalence of TB and the rising cases of multi drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the country. That patients often do not complete the recommended treatment is also a factor adding to the numbers.
"The detection of XDR-TB has increased considerably after more centres equipped with the facility to test resistance to second-line tuberculosis came up in state. That is one of the reasons for the considerable rise," said state tuberculosis officer Sanjeev Kamble, who is also the joint director of the state health department.
The department started diagnosing XDR-TB after the first case was reported in 2011 at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. "Earlier, we had to send samples for testing resistance to second-line TB drug to the National Tuberculosis Institute in Bengaluru. Now, we have five testing centres where sensitivity to second line drug is tested," Sharad Patil assistant director (TB), said.
Patil added that many patients turn multi-drug resistant after seeking faulty treatment from private practitioners, over which the department has little control.
Among other places in the state, 12 cases of XDR-TB were reported in Kolhapur, seven in Sindhudurg, while the Malegaon Municipal Corporation registered six cases. Besides, Gondiya and rural Nagpur recorded six cases each.
"Pune city recorded five cases of XDR-TB last year. Four cases were reported in rural parts of Pune, while Pimpri Chinchwad registered three cases. In 2014, Pimpri Chicnhwad had registered nine cases of XDR-TB, while Pune had reported a single case. Rural Pune had registered six cases in 2014," the health department report states.
Source: The Times of India
