- WHO issues fresh, revised guidelines for dealing with TB among children under National TB Programmes or NTPs.
- Xpert MTB/RIF as initial diagnostic test for children suspected of having Multi Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) or HIV-associated TB suggested.
- “Xpert does better than smear microscopy but not good in children with culture negative, in India use of new diagnostic test slowly picking up
- India has 38 Xpert machines in 30 locations till Nov 2013, recently pilot project started using Xpert for missed children in Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad.
- WHO “strongly recommends” a single dose of isoniazid daily for six months as preventive measure, brings down chances of getting TB disease during childhood
- WHO suggested IPT implementation not at optimum level in India, bi-monthly follow up till completion of treatment suggested under new WHO guideline
Exams Perspective:
- National TB Programme
- WHO
- Multi Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB)
- HIV