Boffins discover diabetes' link to TB

Washington, Oct 15 : Patients with Type 2 diabetes may be at increased risk of contracting tuberculosis because of a compromised immune system, according to a new study.

The effect may result in life-threatening lung infections that are more difficult to treat, the researchers said.

Boffins at The University of Texas School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus shows led three new studies that revealed key findings, which include Type 2 diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes involving chronic high blood sugar, is associated with altered immune response to TB, and this was particularly marked in patients with chronically high blood sugar.

Patients with diabetes and TB take longer to respond to anti-TB treatment.

Type 2 diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes involving chronic high blood sugar, is associated with altered immune response to TB, and this was particularly marked in patients with chronically high blood sugar.

Patients with active tuberculosis and Type 2 diabetes are more likely to have multi-drug resistant TB.

The team found that innate and type 1 cytokine responses were significantly higher in patients with tuberculosis who had diabetes than in the control group of patients with TB and no diabetes.

The effect was consistently and significantly more marked in diabetic patients with chronic hyperglycemia, or uncontrolled high blood sugar.

ANI