Extrapulmonary TB infection rate 18.2pc in BD: Study
Diagnosis process still challenging
FE REPORT | Friday, 12 January 2024
Extrapulmonary TB (tuberculosis) infection rate is 18.2 per cent with a 3.6 per cent mortality rate in Bangladesh while the diagnosis process remains less accessible and challenging, said health specialists citing a global report.
Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) is tuberculosis outside the lungs that includes lymphadenitis (often cervical), abdominal TB, skeletal TB and genitourinary (renal) TB.
Such TB diagnosis is quite challenging, they noted in a study findings dissemination programme titled "Diagnostic for Lymph Node Tuberculosis using portable station/Mobile TB Lab" organised at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
Portable thermal imaging and pocket size ISO thermal PCR method will be used to diagnose lymph nodes (Lymph Node TB) quickly.
Due to its portability, the method can be used for screening at remote sites; for this reason, it is named Mobile TB Lab, according to the study.
BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed addressed the event as the chief guest.
He said the study would play a groundbreaking role in Lymph Node Tuberculosis in the future. He congratulated the researchers for using artificial intelligence in the study.
He said such basic research would heighten the honour of the university and help eradicate tuberculosis in the country.
Associate Prof Dr Shaheda Anwar of BSMMU Department of Microbiology & Immunology and icddr'b Chief Researcher Scientist Dr Dinesh Mondal presented the main article at the event.
Dr Shaheda Anwar presented the research background and research method as site principal investigator.
TB is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium that primarily affects the lungs. The bacteria spread through the air when infected individuals speak, cough, sneeze, or spit.
TB remains a major public health problem globally as an estimated 10.6 million people contracted TB in 2021 and 1.6 million died from the disease in the same year.
According to the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2022, an estimated 375,000 new TB cases were detected in 2021 and 42,000 people died from the disease in Bangladesh in the same year.