NEET PG High-Yield: Tuberculosis (TB)
TB remains a critical public health priority in India under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
Key Fundamentals
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Causative Agent | Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Acid-fast bacillus). |
| Transmission | Airborne (Infectious Respiratory Particles). |
| Pathogenesis | Granuloma formation with central caseous necrosis. |
NTEP 2026 Updates & Management
- Strategy: 4 Pillars – Detect, Treat, Prevent, Build.
- BPaLM Regimen: New 6-month treatment for drug-resistant TB (Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, Moxifloxacin).
- Diagnostics: AI-driven X-ray screening and symptom-agnostic screening for asymptomatic cases.
- Initiatives: Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (Ni-kshay Mitras) and the “Khushi” AI chatbot.
High-Yield NEET PG Pearls:
- Ghon Focus: Initial sub-pleural lesion; Ranke Complex: Calcified Ghon focus + calcified hilar lymph node.
- Treatment (Standard): 2(HRZE) / 4(HRE) where H=Isoniazid, R=Rifampicin, Z=Pyrazinamide, E=Ethambutol.
- Side Effects: Isoniazid (Peripheral neuropathy), Rifampicin (Orange-colored secretions), Pyrazinamide (Hyperuricemia/Gout), Ethambutol (Optic neuritis).
- Airborne Control: Hierarchy of controls (Administrative > Environmental > Personal Respiratory Protection).