DBT has taken up the initiative to address MDR-TB in NER through “MDR-TB in North East India: A Genomic Driven Approach" programme
Tuberculosis is one of the India’s major health problems.
In spite of the commendable performance of National TB control programme, the
incidence of TB has not declined significantly. With the emergence of MDR-TB, a
different set of challenges and problems in the public health programme has set
in. These challenges are even more daunting in the Northeast India, underlining
the need to develop innovative intervention approaches. Due to varied geographical
and ethnic diversity of North Eastern Region of India, the genetic makeup,
transmission dynamics, virulence and drug resistance patterns of Mycobacterium
strains circulating in this region need to be studied in depth so as to find
ways to mitigate the TB situation.
Therefore, DBT initiated “MDR-TB
in North East India: A Genomic Driven Approach." to address various
scientific and societal issues of MDR-TB in NER and devise a long-term plan for
disease management. This
network programme involves scientists from the State Government Departments,
NGO, Institutions and Universities of the Eight North Eastern Region and from
other parts of the country.
Even as the incidence
of TB has not declined significantly in spite of several initiatives by the
government, especially in the North Eastern Region (NER) of the country, the
Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is embarking on a research programme in a consortium
mode on MDR-TB in the NER with focus on genomics driven intervention
approaches.
The broad areas of
this joint research programme include, Mapping hot-spots of TB and MDR/XDR-TB
in NER by whole genome sequencing of mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (this
will include development/validation of media/device for cold chain transport of
TB isolates across NER and other parts of the country); Population genetic
studies to delineate predisposing factors associated with TB/MDR-TB/XDR-TB,
including pharmacogenomics of anti-TB drugs; Repurposing studies on existing
drugs against other diseases for their anti-TB activity. Relook into critical
concentrations of drugs that define sensitive and resistant M. tuberculosis
strains; Development/validation of new tools for diagnosis of TB and drug
resistant TB and non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM), creation of
infrastructure facility in NER; and Awareness programme on NTMs and
paragonimiasis through training/seminar/workshop/health camps.
Researchers from
universities, institutes, colleges, hospitals, health departments and NGOs
having experience in these areas can participate in this research programme.
DBT has taken up the
initiative to address various scientific and societal issues of MDR-TB in NER
and devise a long-term plan for disease management.
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