Can relapse of tuberculosis be treated?
Chairman,
Fortis-CDOC Center of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, New Delhi,
Director,
National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation, and Diabetes Foundation (India)
Q: I was diagnosed and treated for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) seven years ago. I took all the medicine as prescribed for 9 months. A couple of weeks ago I had non specific urinary tract infection (UTI) and pain in my scrotum. The doctor suggested tests for TB. Blood and Sputum cultures were done and unfortunately sputum culture came out to be positive for AFB. Now they are doing further analysis to find out the specific strain of the mycobacterium. Right now, I am totally asymptomatic. Could this be a relapse of TB? In case if it is a MDR TB, is it 100% curable?
A:Positive sputum culture is the most definitive test for tuberculosis. The diagnosis of relapse or resistance would be based on total clinical picture, examination findings, and laboratory tests. Any relapse is treatable. Multi drug resistant tuberculosis is treatable but would require more and stronger drugs.