Friday, July 18, 2008

Diabetes increases tuberculosis risk

American scientists have suggested that diabetic individuals are three times more at risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB).

According to a study published in Public Library of Science journal (PLoS) Medicine, diabetes predisposes individuals to TB as it impairs their ability to fight the infection.

Harvard School of Public Health claimed that diabetes is the underlying cause for more than 10% of TB cases in India and China.

Scientists concluded that making more attempts to diagnose and treat diabetes can reduce the heavy TB rate and therefore help meet the global TB challenge.

About one-third of the world's population is infected with tuberculosis, an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even talks.

PKH/HGH


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