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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay TB-MBLA
Published on: April 30, 2020
Empirical treatment of tuberculosis: TB or not TB?
Eika Webb1, Narmadha Kali Vanan1, Rakesh Biswas2
1Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
Abstract:
Of the 8.6 million new cases of tuberculosis (TB) that occur globally each year, a quarter occur in India. We describe the case of a 38-year-old Indian woman who presented with symptoms of hepatitis after being treated empirically with anti-TB therapy for five months. The patient was suspected to have TB after having recurrent episodes of coughing which would improve briefly before her respiratory symptoms returned, which led to her being treated at various healthcare clinics and hospitals. We highlight the challenges the patient faced due to the lack of centralised medical records which would have prevented unnecessary investigations and treatment.
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