Epidemiology of Tuberculosis and Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis Treatment in Indian Patients

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a ubiquitous, highly fatal contagious chronic granulomatous bacterial infection. It is mainly an infection of the lungs, but can affect almost any part of the body. Although TB is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it still poses a significant threat globally. Approximately, nine million new cases and one‐and‐a‐half million TB‐related deaths occur each year; the incidence may vary. In 2012, an estimated 8.6 million people developed TB and 1.3 million died from the disease.