Extensively Drug Resistance (XDR) TB becoming more common

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

One day HIV-TB workshop was organized for 26 Nalanda Open University OT

Assistant trainees at Alok Nursing Home, Kazanchi Road, Patna.

Addressing the trainees, Noted Physician and Medical Director of International

Health Organization, Dr Diwakar Tejaswi informed that after MDR (Multi Drug

Resistant) TB, XDR TB has started spreading in Indian Society. In MDR TB, TB

bacilli becomes resistant to at least 2 most important anti TB drugs- Rifampicin

and Isoniazide whereas in XDR TB, apart from these two most important first line

drugs, TB bacilli becomes resistant to at least three of the six classes of

second line medicines, making it virtually untreatable.

Quoting recent research outcome from AIIMS he also informed that out of 54

HIV-TB co infected patients, 33% were found to be having XDR TB and sadly they

all died within 3 months of diagnosis which is extremely alarming.

He requested all the paramedical participants that TB patients should be made

aware that during coughing they have to keep handkerchief/ cloth in front of

their mouth as those suffering from Pulmonary TB and not on anti TB drugs, can

spread 40,000- 50,000 TB Bacilli in one bout of cough. Medical and paramedical

staff can protect themselves from acquiring XDR TB by using face mask while

taking care of such patients.

Dr Tejaswi stressed that the best way to prevent spread of MDR TB and XDR TB is

that those suffering from TB and HIV TB co infection should be diagnosed as soon

as possible and they should take proper medicines in proper dosage for the time

period as prescribed by Physicians with regular follow-up. Otherwise it is going

to be the most dangerous public health hazard.

Mr S K Srivastava

Patna

E-MAIL: <grameen.vikas@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear AIDS Forum,

Are there any guideline to say if such XDR TB patiend dies how the body should

be cremated. Burning should be recommended rather than burriel since Tb organism

survive in soil. Govt. should pass law to burning as recommended mode of

cremation in all Infected cases.

Dr Deepti Dongaonkar

PPTCT/ICT incharge

Cama & Albless Hospital

Mumbai

e-mail: ddongaonkar@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Moderator,

Re: /message/8266

Whilst safe disposal of the remains of potentially infectious people is a

priority, I do not think it is the place of the Government to legislate on

matters as personal and emotive as the means of disposal of ones' near and dear.

Better instead, to devise methods of disposal which are compatible with the

cultural needs of a community yet in consonance with the principles of universal

precautions like non impervious shrouds for instance.

Dr Deepak Batura

e-mail: <d_batura@...>