Significant numbers of Indians face tuberculosis including Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: IPL 2018

Facts and new methods on treatment discussed at the 12th Interventional Pulmonology League (IPL 2018) organized by Institute of Pulmonology Medical Research & Development, in Mumbai.

Mumbai: With an aim to educate and reinstate latest information on the advancements in technology in Interventional Pulmonology amongst the country’s chest physicians, the 12th Interventional Pulmonology League 2018 was organized by the Institute of Pulmonology Medical Research & Development, from 1st -3rd June in Mumbai. Over 240 doctors from the Pulmonary faculty from all across India were present during the three-day seminar.

Spearheaded by Program Director, Dr. Prashant Chhajed, HOD- Respiratory Medicine, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim & Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, the forum discussed various interventional techniques that are currently available for the diagnosis and treatment of various pulmonary diseases like Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, water in lungs etc., which can now be diagnosed with new technologies like Pleuroscopy.

Other new technologies such as Bronchial Thermoplastic which are used to treat severe Asthma were also discussed as well as Lung Cryobiopsy for diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease. Renowned European Pulmonologist, Prof. Dr Felix Herth, Germany represented the International Faculty and was the guest of honour over the three days.

In particular, techniques that aid in the microbiological and molecular tests in the diagnosis of Tuberculosis including Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis were discussed. A huge impact in the management of TB including Drug Resistance TB can now be treated by a device called Ebus-TBNA (Endobronchial Ultrasound Transbronchial Needle Aspiration); a procedure performed under local anaesthesia and sedation on day care basis, which provides samples for microbiological, molecular and pathological testing. Thus, enabling precise diagnosis and avoiding Empiric treatment (based on judgment). It was noted that of 44 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis on EBUS TBNA, sampling showed that 18% of patients had Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Speaking about the prevalence of drug-resistant TB and its diagnosis, Program Director, Dr Prashant Chhajed, HOD-Respiratory Medicine, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim & Hiranandani hospital, Vashi, said, “It is proven that India is a Tuberculosis-endemic country and a considerable amount of the total population has been diagnosed with it. Out of this, a significant number of people are diagnosed with Drug-Resistant TB.

With new technological advancements, the diagnosis has been achieved at a faster pace. The EBUS -TBNA was first introduced at Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi in the whole of Maharashtra 8 years ago, and ever since the technology has proven valuable in detecting Drug-resistant TB cases”.

Speaking about the difference in Western countries in comparison to India, Prof. Dr Felix Herth, Germany, said, “India has a large number of people suffering from Lung and Chest diseases, in my opinion, these are caused by environmental factors. Smoking is the second cause; the first and foremost reasons are smoking and pollution. In Germany and Europe, 25% of the population are smokers. With fairly good treatment centres available in India, these are completely comparable to Western countries”.