Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Pulmonary TB, which affects the lungs, is the most common form of TB treated at Kasturba Hospital. Services include:

• Diagnostic Testing: Sputum smear microscopy, GeneXpert MTB/RIF, chest X-rays, and CT scans.
• Medical Management: Standard anti-TB drug regimens, including first-line drugs such as isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide.
• Isolation and Infection Control: Implementing strict isolation protocols to prevent the spread of TB to other patients and healthcare workers.

Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Extrapulmonary TB affects organs other than the lungs, such as the lymph nodes, pleura, bones and joints, genitourinary tract, and central nervous system. Services include:

• Diagnostic Testing: Biopsies, imaging studies (ultrasound, CT, MRI), and fluid analysis (pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid).
• Medical Management: Extended anti-TB drug regimens tailored to the specific site of infection.
• Surgical Interventions: Procedures to drain abscesses or manage complications of extrapulmonary TB.

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

MDR-TB is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most potent TB drugs. Kasturba Hospital provides:

• Diagnostic Testing: Drug susceptibility testing (DST) to identify resistance patterns.
• Medical Management: Second-line drugs such as fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and newer drugs like bedaquiline and delamanid.
• Adherence Support: Directly observed therapy (DOT) to ensure patients complete their treatment regimens.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI)

LTBI is a non-active form of TB where the bacteria are present in the body but do not cause symptoms. Services include:

• Diagnostic Testing: Tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs).
• Preventive Therapy: Treatment regimens to prevent the progression to active TB, including isoniazid or rifapentine.