Significance of Tuberculosis Screening for Early Detection

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a bacterium that causes a severe infection namely Tuberculosis commonly known as TB. Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major global health concern as a huge population is affected by it annually. Detecting the infection early is vital for controlling its spread and giving better treatment. This article is focused on the significance of TB tests in early disease identification and protection of the general public health.

What is Tuberculosis?

As discussed earlier tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium. It primarily targets the lungs but it might affect other organs as well including the kidneys, spine, or the brain. It spreads easily from an infected individual to healthy individuals through airborne droplets produced due to cough, sneezing, or while speaking. The immunocompromised individuals are at risk and susceptible to developing the disease on exposure while others may or may not develop the disease when exposed to the bacterium.

TB is usually present in two forms

• Latent TB infection (LTBI)
• Active TB infection (ATBI)

Latent TB infection does not cause any symptoms as the bacteria remain inactive in the body however if it is left untreated it progresses to an active TB infection. 

An active TB infection is highly contagious and causes various symptoms including

• Coughing persistently
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Weight loss without known reason
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Appetite loss
• Vomiting 
• Chills 

Detection of latent TB at the earliest is essential for timely intervention to prevent progression to active TB and lower the transmission risk. 

Screening for Fighting Tuberculosis

TB control programs primarily depend on early screening as it is crucial in the identification of infected individuals who are asymptomatic and in ensuring early intervention and treatment of the disease. The procedure involves clinical evaluation, diagnostic tests, and imaging studies. The following types of screening methods are used typically;

1. Blood tests: Interferon-gamma release assays are now developed for the detection of latent TB infection. These are highly effective and their results are not influenced by the BCG vaccination. 
2. Skin Test (Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test) is the oldest method used for the detection of TB infection. The process involves the injection of a small amount of purified protein derivative (PPD) under the skin, and then examining that area for any reactions after 48 to 72 hours. This test gives false-positive results in individuals vaccinated with the BCG vaccine.
3. Sputum tests; Highly accurate method for the detection of active TB sputum samples are used for the analysis of the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 
4. Imaging studies: Used for the detection of abnormalities associated with tuberculosis in the lungs like chest X-rays and CT scans. Imaging studies are suggested to provide comprehensive assessment and are not used as the sole test for the detection of TB.

Early Screening Benefits

Early screening provides various benefits that are explained in detail below;

• It prevents the progression of the disease by identifying the latent TB. This enables the initiation of early preventative treatment to lower the risk of developing an active TB infection. 
• Detection of an active TB infection timely ensures that an individual receives the treatment that is effective and stop or reduce the transmission of disease through preventative measures.
• Through early diagnosis and timely medical intervention, the chances of an individual’s recovery increase tenfold while also lowering the risk of any complication.
• Advanced TB cases need more advanced resources whereas, in the early stages, the diagnosis and treatment are comparatively cheaper and utilize fewer resources.

Barriers to Early Screening

The significance of early screening is generally accepted by people but individuals face various issues in tuberculosis screening accessibility including

• Lack of awareness in a wide population
• Socio-cultural barriers for instance the stigma associated with the disease
• Affordability issues for the cost of the test, transportation fare to the testing facility 
• Lack of diagnostic laboratories
• Limited healthcare facilities

It is important to overcome these issues by

• Setting educational campaigns to increase public awareness and encouragement for the test.
• Making healthcare more accessible.
• Providing free screening programs for individuals belonging to low socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Creating a supportive environment for people affected with TB to reduce the stigma around the disease.

Global Efforts in Controlling Tuberculosis (TB)

Organizations working for a better healthcare system including the World Health Organization (WHO) and national health programs are working effectively to combat TB by implementing strategies for early detection, treatment, and prevention of the disease. World Health Organization (WHO) has established an END TB strategy that is focused on reducing the incidence of TB by 90% and the deaths caused due to TB by 95% by the year 2035. These global efforts stress the vital role of tuberculosis tests in achieving the goals of TB control as soon as possible.

Innovations in the Detection of TB

Advancements in technology have paved the way for rapid diagnostic tests that deliver accurate and precise results within a few hours. For instance, molecular tests including GeneXpert are capable of detecting the bacterium causing tuberculosis and their antibiotic resistance to enable the healthcare providers to provide tailored treatment plans according to the specific health condition and bacteria’s resistance to the antibiotics. Innovations in diagnostic testing are revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of TB which is especially beneficial in places with limited resources.

Conclusion

A substantial amount of progress has been made in the control and diagnosis of TB  but still, more advancements are required to reduce the TB incidence. Early screening is an essential tool for early diagnosis and treatment while also improving the quality of an individual’s health and life. Government, heathcare providers, communities, and organizations must work closely to overcome the barriers associated with early screening of tuberculosis and ensure the accessibility to proper diagnostics for every person in the population. 

The TB test is the first line of defense against the disease which is a global health challenge thus prioritizing early detection and continuous enhancements in the diagnostic tools can lead to a world free from TB.