Retrieval of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures suspended in phosphate buffered saline

AbstractOne hundred and twenty-seven of 130 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and stored at ambient conditions in the laboratory for 14days, and another 55 of 60 cultures, suspended as above, transported from reference laboratories within 7days, were successfully retrieved on LJ medium. Considering the maximum retrieval of M. tuberculosis, use of PBS can be explored further for transportation of M. tuberculosis cultures across laboratories

Effectiveness of food supplement on treatment outcomes and quality of life in pulmonary tuberculosis: Phased implementation approach

By encouraging treatment adherence and lowering mortality, dietary supplements can serve as adjuvant therapy for the success of medical interventions. We determined the effect of locally accessible food supplements on treatment outcomes, and health-related quality of life in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis initiating anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) in Odisha, India

Prevalence and factors associated with tuberculosis infection in India

Background: The risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease is higher in individuals with TB infection. In a TB endemic country like India, it is essential to understand the current burden of TB infection at the population level. The objective of the present analysis is to estimate the prevalence of TB infection in India and to explore the factors associated with TB infection. Methods: Individuals aged > 15 years in the recently completed National TB prevalence survey in India who were tested for TB infection by QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) assay were considered for this sub- analysis. TB infection was defined as positive by QFT-Plus (value > 0.35 IU/ml). The estimates for prevalence, prevalence ratio (PR) and adjusted risk ratio (aRR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Of the 16864 individuals analysed, the prevalence of TB infection was 22.6% (95% CI:19.4 −25.8). Factors more likely to be associated with TB infection include age > 30 years (aRR:1.49;95% CI:1.29–1.73), being male (aRR:1.26; 95%CI: 1.18–1.34), residing in urban location (aRR:1.58; 95%CI: 1.03–2.43) and past history of TB (aRR:1.49; 95%CI: 1.26–1.76). Conclusion: About one fourth (22.6%) of the individuals were infected with TB in India. Individuals aged > 30 years, males, residing in urban location, and those with past history of TB were more likely to have TB infection. Targeted interventions for prevention of TB and close monitoring are essential to reduce the burden of TB in India

Delay in diagnosis among pulmonary tuberculosis patients of Rayagada District, Odisha, India

Background: India accounts for more than one-fifth of the world's tuberculosis (TB) burden. In spite of efforts taken by the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme, tribal areas of the state of Odisha report a high TB incidence over the years. One of the reasons could be delay in reporting to health facilities by the symptomatic patients. During such delays an active case may infect numerous susceptible people thereby contributing to the perpetuation of the infection. The delay in diagnosis may be as long as 2–3 months and even more in hard-to-reach areas. Objective The present study aims to find out the extent of delay in diagnosis among pulmonary TB patients of a tribal dominated district that may help in planning effective control strategies for similar situations. Methods: The information on delay in diagnosis is part of a cross-sectional drug resistance study carried out from June 2011 to May, 2013 in 20 Designated Microscopy Centres (DMCs) of Rayagada district of Odisha, India. Out of 634 smear positive pulmonary TB patients enrolled in this study, information on health seeking by the patients were available for 580 patients. The patients included had clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of pulmonary TB (cough, chest pain, and hemoptysis), with/without radiological evidence. Patients found smear positive by Ziehl–Neelsen microscopy were requested to take part in the study and accordingly a written questionnaire including history of: TB treatment; symptoms experienced by the patient and duration of suffering; and radiological examination was completed. The delay in diagnosis at the DMCs due to delay in health seeking by the symptomatic TB patients was evident as only 5.2% patients reported within 2 weeks and 62.6% up to 1 month of onset of symptoms. Results: The delay in health seeking by the patients was not differentiated by sex or resistance profile, although more men attended the DMC for diagnosis. The present study is the first of its kind to report diagnostic delay of TB among smear-positive TB patients of Rayagada, a tribal-dominated district of Odisha, India and it reveals an extremely long diagnostic delay of TB in this area. We found that 12.9% of patients had a delay exceeding 2 months, and 50% of them had high sputum grade. This is a serious concern due to the fact that each of these patients dispenses up to 3500 bacilli in each cough, and may infect 10–15 people each year, eventually creating a public health problem. Conclusion: Poor awareness of patients about the disease and limited access to health care are the bottom-line in apparent diagnostic delay of TB patients. This substantial patient delay to diagnosis is a major contributing factor for increasing transmission of TB in tribal districts of Odisha. Increased awareness of the disease is crucial in improving health-seeking behavior in these areas

Thoria-based nuclear fuels: thermophysical and thermodynamic properties, fabrication, reprocessing, and waste management

This book presents the state of the art on thermophysical and thermochemical properties, fabrication methodologies, irradiation behaviours, fuel reprocessing procedures, and aspects of waste management for oxide fuels in general and for thoria-based fuels in particular. The book covers all the essential features involved in the development of and working with nuclear technology. With the help of key databases, many of which were created by the authors, information is presented in the form of tables, figures, schematic diagrams and flow sheets, and photographs. This information will be useful for scientists and engineers working in the nuclear field, particularly for design and simulation, and for establishing the technology. One special feature is the inclusion of the latest information on thoria-based fuels, especially on the use of thorium in power generation, as it has less proliferation potential for nuclear weapons. Given its natural abundance, thorium offers a future alternative to uranium fuels in nuclear technology. In closing, the latest information on conventional uranium and plutonium fuels is also provided.Covering all the key information on the thermophysical, thermodynamic, and transport properties of oxide fuels, this survey draws on material from databases developed by the authors, presented here in a range of formats including tables and schematic diagrams.This book presents the state of the art on thermophysical and thermochemical properties, fabrication methodologies, irradiation behaviours, fuel reprocessing procedures, and aspects of waste management for oxide fuels in general and for thoria-based fuels in particular. The book covers all the essential features involved in the development of and working with nuclear technology. With the help of key databases, many of which were created by the authors, information is presented in the form of tables, figures, schematic diagrams and flow sheets, and photographs. This information will be useful

Prevalence, risk factors and health seeking behaviour of pulmonary tuberculosis in four tribal dominated districts of Odisha: Comparison with studies in other regions of India.

AIM:To determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis, socio-cultural practices and health seeking behaviour of tribal people in four districts of Odisha. METHODOLOGY:This was an action research study with qualitative and quantitative design following a sequential approach implemented in a 4-phased manner. It was carried out in the 6 selected villages from July,2015 to June,2017. The screening for active TB among chest symptomatics is followed as per the guidelines of the (RNTCP) Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program in India. RESULTS:In all, 1455 households were surveyed in the 6 tribal dominated villages of 4 districts, namely Balangir, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal and Mayurbhanj. Total population of the villages was 6681. Based on the eligibility, 5144 (97.7%) individuals were screened. About 139 (2.3%) could not be screened due to non-availability in their households during day time. Out of the screened individuals (5144), 126 chest symptomatics were identified. Sputum samples were collected from them and sent to the National Reference Laboratory, RMRC, Bhubaneswar using public transport and maintaining cold chain. Out of 126 chest symptomatics, 35 patients were found to be having active TB disease and 18 were culture positive. The prevalence of pulmonary TB is 0.68%. The risk factors seemed to be ignorance about TB symptoms, addiction to alcoholic drinks, difficulty reaching the health facilities owing to the long distances, lack of communication and transport. In addition, other morbidities like Malaria, diabetes, hypertension, malnutrition, etc. were observed in the tribes of the study sites. CONCLUSION:TB control programs need further strengthening in the tribal dominated regions. This study is the first of its kind in this State