¶ … Tuberculosis vaccine has been around for decades. However, tuberculosis is still one of the most significant reasons for death globally. Furthermore amidst the still developing nations, tuberculosis has not decreased, with cases on the rise annually. Measures to prevent tuberculosis must be taken. Recent studies and articles relaying information on better medications, and increased efforts towards prevention has led to potential decline in tuberculosis cases. Within the next decade, hopes are for Africa, where tuberculosis diagnosis remains high, to also see a decline. Notwithstanding these developments, full scale-up of tuberculosis and HIV cooperative undertakings remains perplexing and evolving drug-resistant tuberculosis is slowly becoming a key threat.
Morbidity and Mortality Statistics
This article review will focus on existing information on tuberculosis cases to better understand the spread of tuberculosis globally. It will contain articles that examine the failure of national programs to address treatment and diagnosis of tuberculosis which adds to the annual death rates of TB. Along with an evolving drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis, the latest research focuses on new vaccines and treatments to counteract the evolving disease. There needs to be a visible improvement in diagnostics when it comes to TB therefore some articles will also be presented discussing new diagnostic tests and screenings. "In 2008, an estimated 440,000 cases of MDR tuberculosis emerged globally. India and China carry the greatest estimated burden of MDR tuberculosis, together accounting for almost 50% of the world's total cases" (Nathanson et al., 2010, pp. 1050-1058).
Literature Review
In an article by Zumla (2013) author discusses new and original drugs and treatments for all forms of TB such as Bedaquiline. Bedaquiline is approved by the FDA, however is not recommended for all TB patients as it does have serious adverse reactions. While on the medication, they may experience headache, chest pain, and nausea. Ever since the 1960's there hasn't been much change in way of treatments and vaccinations. However this article highlights emerging ones. Such programs that involve testing TB medications and getting them FDA approved are likely to employ both repurposed drugs and new biological mechanism. More than a few of these treatments are now succeeding through clinical trials. Zumla covers present ideas and modern developments in TB drug innovation and growth, including an update of continual TB regimen trials, newer clinical trial proposals, TB biomarkers and aide-de-camp host-directed therapies (Zumla, 2013, pp. 388).
Not only does the article highlight recent advances, it also targets the lack of effectiveness of traditional treatments. "Despite the introduction 40 years ago of the inexpensive and effective four-drug (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) treatment regimen, tuberculosis (TB) continues to cause considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide" (Zumla, 2013, pp. 388). For TB cases to diminish in volume, they must be met with better treatments. Recent advances not only provide hope for a decline in TB infections, but also in TB cases. Without the effort of current researchers and scientists, TB will continue to devastate populations throughout the world.
More than 3/4 of the projected cases of MDR tuberculosis happen in formerly untreated patients. Nathanson et al. discuss the growing number of cases of MDR tuberculosis and reveal the cases come from undiagnosed, untreated patients. This means that patients came in with symptoms long after they became infected and were diagnosed later leaving treatment as last form of action vs. with cases in more developed nations that are caught and treated early. The article does an excellent job of highlighting the exiting flaws of TB treatment and treatment protocols by providing the figures on TB cases and the reasons behind them.
"National programs are failing to diagnose and treat MDR tuberculosis. Globally, just under 30,000 cases of MDR tuberculosis were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008, of which less than one fifth were managed according to international guidelines" (Nathanson et al., 2010, pp. 1050-1058).To help with the lack of proper diagnosis and available treatment, Nathanson et al. suggest treatment of over 1.3 million cases of MDR TB in order to accomplish the aim of universal entrance to diagnosis and treatment designated in the Global Plan to Stop TB. Of all the cases internationally, 27 countries share the maximum problem of MDR disease and will need to be assessed and treated until 2015. The total expected price of such management of the disease is several billion U.S. dollars. Existing levels of funding present do not match the amount needed to meet objectives.
In order for the nations with the highest cases to meet the budgetary concerns, they must integrate the groundwork for determined budgets for the deterrence and control of MDR tuberculosis. "These plans must be consistent with policies on health care financing, including social-protection schemes (the delivery of commodities to reduce the social vulnerability of poor populations), and with broader planning and financing frameworks"(Nathanson et al., 2010, pp. 1050-1058).The best part about this article concerns how to establish the budget needed for these protocols. It urges the middle-income countries amongst the 27 nations to assemble their national assets. With proper gathering of resources, these nations can then afford an effective means of combating MDR TB.
You’re 73% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.