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olved at different time periods with common objective of patient support. Community ownership, proactive health care system and political commitment contributed to these patient support systems.

These support services offered to TB patients were found to be very effective in paving the way towards the goal of TB elimination in Kerala.

These support services offered to TB patients were found to be very effective in paving the way towards the goal of TB elimination in Kerala.

Diagnosis of genital tuberculosis (TB) as a cause of infertility still remains a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians, as no standard guidelines exist. The recently proposed best practices for genital TB diagnosis have not been evaluated yet in India.

To implement best practices to diagnose and treat likely genital TB as a cause of infertility.

Between April 2016 and June 2018, consenting women seen at a tertiary hospital infertility clinic were assessed by thorough TB related clinical history, ultrasonography, tuberculin skin test (TST), and ESR. Those with suspected genital TB underwent laparohysteroscopy. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared between likely (microbiologically confirmed or probable TB) and unlikely (possible and no genital TB) genital TB. Fertility outcome was assessed among women initiated on anti-TB treatment (ATT).

Of 185 women seeking infertility care, likely genital TB was identified among 29 (15.7%) women, with 6 (21%) confirmed and 23 (79%) probable genital TB. Compared to unlikely genital TB cases, the likely genital TB group were found to have past history of TB (p<0.001); positive TST (p=0.002) and elevated ESR (p=0.001). Among the likely genital TB group, all 6 confirmed genital TB were started on ATT and 2 (33.3%) conceived. Of 5 probable genital TB started on ATT, 3 (60%) conceived.

Approximately 1/6th of women seeking infertility care met the criteria for likely genital TB. Conception among over-half of treated probable genital TB cases provides preliminary evidence that best clinical practices can be utilized, but needs further confirmatory studies.

Approximately 1/6th of women seeking infertility care met the criteria for likely genital TB. Conception among over-half of treated probable genital TB cases provides preliminary evidence that best clinical practices can be utilized, but needs further confirmatory studies.

TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. The WHO adopted the End TB Strategy with ambitious goal of ending the global TB epidemic by 2030. The targets for this were 95% reduction in number of TB deaths, 90% reduction in TB incidence rate between 2015 and 2035 and to ensure that no family is burdened with catastrophic expenditure due to TB. Hedgehog agonist Enhanced case detection is one of the components of End TB strategy adopted by WHO and within this Active Case Finding has an important place. However, its role in the Indian context needs to be assessed.

To study the impact of Active Case Finding (ACF) in National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) implementing area of National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases New Delhi in terms of case detection and treatment outcome.

The TB patients detected during ACF through house to house survey in vulnerable population were identified, evaluated and followed up. Data from ACF records and TB treatment cards were filled in a pretested proforma and compared and hence to get the maximum impact of ACF there is a need to enhance the adherence to treatment through different methodologies. Poor treatment adherence will lead to increase transmission risk in communities and greater chance of developing drug resistance. Further studies with larger representative population should be undertaken in order to get more conclusive.

Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) is a significant health problem in both developing and developed countries. Spinal tuberculosis (STB) is one of the significant forms of EPTB lacking epidemiological data. The present study was conducted to study the clinical, radiological, microbiological and histopathological features, treatment and outcome of Spinal tuberculosis.

This study was conducted for a duration of 19 years, from 2000 to 2018 at the department of Neuromicrobiology, NIMHANS, Bengaluru. It comprised of 252 patients with STB. All patients were diagnosed with the clinical features and confirmed by radiological, microbiological and histopathological findings.

Results were tabulated and statistically studied. The most common age group is 30-40 years with male preponderance. Most patients presented with motor paraplegia/para paresis (99.6%). Thoracic spine was the most common vertebra affected (47.62%). The commonest imaging feature is soft tissue collection (81.74%). Most common histopathological feature was necrotising granulomatous inflammation (65.87%). Microbiology reports showed growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in 29.76%, Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) smear showed acid fast bacilli (AFB) in 25.79%. Anti tubercular drugs and surgery were advised in 55.55% patients and only anti TB drugs for 39.28%. The entire course of anti tubercular treatment (ATT) was completed in 60.71% and 4.76% were defaulters.

Spinal tuberculosis is a global disease, timely diagnosis with clinical, imaging, microbiological, histopathological features and complete course of anti-tubercular treatment along with symptomatic treatment appears to be safe and effective.

Spinal tuberculosis is a global disease, timely diagnosis with clinical, imaging, microbiological, histopathological features and complete course of anti-tubercular treatment along with symptomatic treatment appears to be safe and effective.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are rarely reported, and more so with genitourinary infections. This retrospective study was designed to understand the proportion and behaviour of genitourinary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (GU-NTM) infections compared with genitourinary mycobacterial tuberculosis (GU-MTB) treated at a tertiary care hospital in South India.

The hospital records of every bacteriologically proved GU-MTB and GU-NTM infections treated at this centre from 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.

There were ten patients of GU-NTM and 15 patients of GU-MTB. There was no significant difference in presentation other than lesser frequency of irritative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among patients with GU-MTB. Urine smear for AFB was positive in 60% and 47% of GU-NTM and GU-MTB patients. 40% of GU-NTM patients had history of urinary tract instrumentation. Mycobacterium abscessus was grown in four patients and one had Mycobacterium fortuitum/chelonae complex; all the rest were rapid growers.