Anti-Tuberculosis (TB) Drugs May Not Prevent Reinfection

Toronto: Anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs cause changes to gut microbiota and increase susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) — a major reason why current treatments are ineffective in preventing reinfections, say researchers. The study showed that chronic use of antibiotics controls TB infection but also leads to disruption of gut microbiota. This, in turn, leads to the dysregulation of the immune system, causing reinfection.

“Anti-TB therapies have been incredibly efficient in controlling the TB epidemic by decreasing morbidity and mortality associated with Mtb,” said Irah King from the McGill University in Canada. “This study provides a basis for novel therapeutic strategies exploiting the gut-lung axis in Mtb infection,” King added. (IANS)

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