Latest advancements in TB science in spotlight

Bobby Ramakant – CNS
Contd from previous issue
 This regimen is the first successful short-course treatment regimen for drug-susceptible TB disease in almost 40 years. WHO has endorsed this regimen for use [CDC guidance is forthcoming], said Shobha Shukla.
New research for treating TB in children
Another study called SHINE which was done in Africa and India, compared outcomes using a treatment regimen for 4 and 6 months respectively to treat smear-negative and non-severe forms of TB of the lungs in children (HIV positive and negative both included). Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide were the medicines used in the regimen. Study concluded that the 4-months duration therapy was non-inferior to standard 6-months duration therapy. Only 3% unfavourable outcomes and few toxicity related side-effects were reported in both groups (4 and 6 months duration treatment groups).
New research for better MDR-TB preventive treatments : Many ongoing studies are evaluating 6-months multi drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) preventive therapies for close contacts of MDR-TB patients. TB CHAMP study is examining Levofloxacin medicine to be used as part of MDR-TB preventive therapy in children below 5 years of age, who are close contacts of adult MDR-TB patients. (To be contd)