The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to roll out targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) at Kasturba Hospital to provide personalized treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). This WHO-recommended technology will help detect drug resistance faster, addressing a critical healthcare challenge in the city.
Faster and More Precise Diagnosis
Each year, Mumbai reports approximately 4,000 to 5,000 cases of drug-resistant TB caused by strains that do not respond to first-line anti-TB drugs. Targeted sequencing will not only diagnose TB but also determine which drugs the bacteria are resistant to and which remain effective.
“Technologies like nanopore kits can help in rapid diagnosis, but their high cost limits widespread use,” explained a microbiologist from a public hospital. The initiative was announced in the recent budget, along with plans to provide TB patients with kits containing masks, sanitizers, and spittoons. However, officials have not yet disclosed the exact costs.
Ongoing TB Genome Sequencing Projects
In 2023, KEM Hospital launched a whole genome sequencing (WGS) project targeting 2,500 multi-drug-resistant TB cases. “We are still awaiting the results and plan to review the progress in a meeting this week,” said Dr. Varsha Puri, the city’s TB officer.
Unlike WGS, which sequences the entire genome, targeted sequencing focuses on specific drug resistance genes, making it a faster alternative. “Since genomic sequencing is not yet part of the national TB elimination program, its use remains limited to research,” noted the microbiologist.
Current Status of Genomic Sequencing in Mumbai
As reported by TOI, at present, JJ Hospital is the only public facility in Mumbai conducting genomic sequencing for TB. “Expanding this technology in public hospitals could revolutionize TB treatment,” said a doctor from KEM Hospital.