India’s TB Fight Gets a Breakthrough: Scientists Sequence 10,000 Drug-Resistant TB Strains

New Delhi: In a major scientific breakthrough, Indian researchers successfully completed genome sequencing of 10,000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates, a move that could revolutionize tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment. The achievement was announced on World Tuberculosis Day, marking a significant step in India's mission to eliminate TB by 2025.

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is one of India’s biggest public health challenges. 

The country accounts for the highest number of TB cases globally, with drug-resistant TB posing a major threat to treatment efforts.

TB primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other organs. The disease spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

Although TB is treatable with antibiotics, the emergence of drug-resistant strains has made treatment increasingly difficult.

Drug-resistant TB occurs when the bacteria mutate and develop resistance to standard medications. This makes the disease harder to treat and increases the risk of further transmission. Conventional TB diagnosis methods, such as culture-based drug susceptibility testing, take weeks, leading to delayed treatment and worsening outcomes.

A Game-Changer in TB Diagnosis

To tackle the rising cases of drug-resistant TB, India launched the Dare2eraD TB initiative on March 24, 2022. Under this program, the Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance (InTGS) Consortium—a collaborative effort involving the Department of Biotechnology, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) institutes—aims to sequence over 32,000 TB isolates across the country.

As part of this mission, scientists have completed the genome sequencing of 10,000 MTB isolates.

Genome sequencing is an advanced technique that deciphers the complete genetic material of TB-causing bacteria. By studying genetic mutations, scientists can identify drug-resistant strains and determine which antibiotics will be most effective for a particular patient.

"This data will enable the development of next-generation genomic tests, allowing for faster and more precise detection of drug-resistant TB strains. Unlike conventional tests that take weeks, genomic sequencing can deliver resistance profiling within hours or days," said Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology.

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How Genome Sequencing Will Help TB Patients

Faster Diagnosis: Current drug-resistance tests take weeks, delaying treatment. Genome sequencing can detect resistance mutations within hours or days, ensuring quicker treatment decisions.

Personalized Treatment: Different TB strains respond differently to antibiotics. Genome sequencing allows doctors to prescribe medications based on the genetic makeup of the bacteria, increasing treatment success rates.

Better Disease Control: By tracking how TB bacteria mutate and spread, health officials can implement targeted interventions to reduce infections and stop outbreaks.

Preventing Further Drug Resistance: Early detection of drug-resistant TB can help prevent its spread, bringing India closer to its goal of eliminating TB by 2025.

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Challenges in Implementing Genome Sequencing

While genome sequencing holds great promise, its large-scale implementation faces significant challenges. Cost and accessibility remain major barriers, particularly in rural and underdeveloped regions.

Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged these challenges, stating, "While phenotypic drug-susceptibility tests and M. tuberculosis culture are considered the gold standard for diagnosis, genome sequencing technologies are now playing a key role in strain identification and drug resistance prediction."

However, he added that "The adoption of molecular methods for TB diagnosis and resistance testing remains uneven, influenced by socioeconomic disparities across countries."

Experts Call for Large-Scale Implementation

Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, emphasized the need to expand the use of genome sequencing in TB diagnosis.

"The insights gained from sequencing these 10,000 TB isolates must now be incorporated into practical pipelines for TB diagnosis and drug resistance surveillance across all healthcare settings," he said.

A Turning Point in India’s TB Fight

India has set an ambitious target to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global goal set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The successful implementation of genome sequencing could be a turning point in achieving this goal.

With scientific advancements, improved diagnostics, and targeted interventions, India is moving closer to a TB-free future. However, scaling up these efforts and ensuring accessibility will be crucial in winning the battle against drug-resistant tuberculosis.