Tuberculosis: A Review on Its Novel Advancement on Its Elimination

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a global public health issue. Latent TB is an airborne chronic disease; 46% of the world’s population is thought to be infected with LTB. It is most prevalent in the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other organs (extrapulmonary TB). Immunocompromised individuals, such as HIV-positive individuals, are at much greater risk for active TB.M. tuberculosis is an aerobic, non-motile rod whose high levels of lipids make it difficult to diagnose and thus avoid the immune system. It is transmitted via aerosol droplets, where the bacteria infect the lungs and can then remain in granulomas for years. One of the major obstacles to TB control is the advent of drug-resistant strains, such as multidrug-resistant TB, which are not effective when compared to the best first-line agents. Toxic treatment, lack of quality drugs, or improper medicine contribute to its growth. High levels of diagnostic variability hinder progress, and an estimated 4 million undiagnosed cases a year fuel transmission. WGS can be applied in various ways, but its use has a limited impact. A financial constraint also severely limits TB control efforts. Future strategies to combat TB will include better vaccines, new drugs and rapid point-of-care diagnostics. Controlling the disease requires focused screening practices, diagnosis intervention, adequate funding, and drug resistance, along with ethical principles of informed consent and patient agency in research and care.

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, drug-resistant, novel drug discovery, TB preventive therapy and screening practices