Posted on May 16, 2008 in Latest News
Toxic gas present in tobacco smoke and air pollution play a significant role in triggering off tuberculosis. This was a highlighted in a study carried out by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
The study also focuses on carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless,colorless gas, present in tobacco smoke, manufacturing emissions and vehicle emissions. CO is found in volcanic gas and brushfires as well.
According to the study, CO triggers Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, causing a shift from active infection to a drug –resistant state, which is dormant. This state is known as latency and results in Tuberculosis not being detected and properly treated. It leads to overall Tuberculosis transmission.
This is the first description of how CO has a role to play in mycobacterial pathogenesis. It also explains why air pollution and smoking cause Tuberculosis.
The findings have social and political implications in the speeding up process of keeping- the- air- clean efforts to improve public health. The study also helps in the discovery of new methods to counteract Tuberculosis that is drug resistant. It also helps us to understand the role played by CO in Tuberculosis infection through tobacco smoke and air pollution. Incidentally, Tuberculosis is a major cause of death all over the world.
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