Tuberculosis bacteria had been completely sequenced back in 1997 or 1998. This had raised hope that this disease would soon be conquered. But alas, it hasn’t happened.
Can anybody throw more light on this?
Re: Why Tuberculosis has not yet been conquered?
Ummm the major arising problem with this is drug resistace. When patients are put on antibiotics which they have to take for at least 6 months (depending on the course), they stop as soon as they start feeling better. The bacteria by then have not been completely eradicated, so when you stop the drug, it gives the remaining bacteria a chance to acquire drug resistance. These people pass it on to others, and the cycle doesn't end. Patient non-compliance with drugs is the main issue.
Re: Why Tuberculosis has not yet been conquered?
Same reason there is still polio in the world. The BCG vaccine is out there and is being used, but not every country makes the vaccines available for everyone. Combine that with drug resistance, as Sehar says, and the immense traveling that goes on in our global community, and there is just no way to say that any time soon the entire world will be immune.
They're trying to work on a better vaccine from what I understand as well.
Just sequencing a virus/bacterium is not enough. You have to follow that up with an effective vaccine and good drug treatments. Even that's not enough. Public health sector has to step in to make sure the vaccines/treatments reach everyone. And with all the politics in the world, there is just no way that you're going to reach out in a short amount of time to everyone to get everyone vaccinated and treated.
Re: Why Tuberculosis has not yet been conquered?
In USA the biggest problem with Tuberculosis is that its generally homeless and/or the really under-priveleged who suffer the disease. These are the people who have the least ability and/or desire to stick to the 6-month regimen of treatment. I'll hazard a guess that this is a good part of the reason globally not just here....
Re: Why Tuberculosis has not yet been conquered?
Mama, you'd be surprised how many people reside in the USA, and they are not vaccinated. Either they were immigrants and never got all the vaccinations they needed (jeez, esp. the illegal ones), or they have no clue that the vaccines are available for children at low cost or no cost through the dept of health (until someone tells them).
Re: Why Tuberculosis has not yet been conquered?
When the Tuberculosis bacteria has been sequenced then the part of its genome which alters and makes the bacteria immune to drug resistance should be identified. Then it would be easy to find a permanent cure. The idea is to design a drug which attacks the altering sequence responsible for drug resistance. If this altering sequence is identified then the job is pretty easy. I never understood why this altering sequence has not yet been identified.
Re: Why Tuberculosis has not yet been conquered?
PCG, I dont think there is any real data that proves that BCG is really effective. THe only thing it does is, gives u a positive ppd for future.
And alot of people stop taking meds in the middle of the treatment since the leigth of treatment for TB is 6-9 months. That is what mainly causes resistance.
And most of the TB patients we see are immigrants. China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc etc.