DBT Advances TB Genomic Sequencing: A Step Towards Eliminating Tuberculosis in India

Using their "Dare2eraD TB" initiative the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has concluded sequencing 10,000 tuberculosis (TB) genome samples while they aim to finish a total of 32,500 genome sequences before November 2025. A group of researchers works to gain better insights about drug-resistant TB while building new diagnostic methods. The initiative serves as a vital component to eliminate TB from India by 2025 which represents five years earlier than the WHO's target date.

Key Points:

• The "Dare2eraD TB" program launched its operations in 2022 for the purpose of sequencing 32,500 TB genome samples to obtain drug-resistant strain information about their genetic makeup.

• 10,000 samples have undergone sequencing since March 2025 which showed drug resistance in 7% of studied cases among patients who only took one anti-TB medication.

• 9 laboratories managed by DBT, CSIR, and ICMR work together in the Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance consortium to support the initiative.

• The elimination mission faces great urgency because India leads global TB cases at 28% along with 1,990 cases per million population in 2022.

• The ongoing spread of tuberculosis becomes worse because of patients who carry the infection without symptoms yet remain contagious in combination with Multi-Drug Resistant strains being a persistent concern.

• Through combined technologies of AI and genome sequencing India could achieve a one-week detection time instead of the current three weeks thus improving both diagnosis and beginning of treatment.

• Statistics show that people between 18-45 years old make up the majority of TB cases and diabetes victims and persons suffering from malnutrition show a direct association to TB transmission.

What is Tuberculosis?

• An infectious disease called Tuberculosis mainly impacts human lungs through bacterial infections of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis microorganism.

• Transmission: The bacteria get transmitted through breathing in air particles that contain infected droplet nuclei from coughing, sneezing or spitting events.

• Symptoms: Prolonged cough (sometimes with blood), chest pain, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats.

• Affected Organ: TB infects lungs as its main target organism yet it may spread toward brain spine skin and kidney tissue.

• Treatment: Anti-TB antibiotics serve as the curative and preventive treatment for this condition.

• TB Vaccine: The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine stands as the sole TB protection because it helps prevent serious TB manifestations in new-borns and young children.

Data Point

• Global: The latest statistical data shows that each year 8.2 million people develop TB infections making it the leading infectious disease mortality worldwide above COVID-19.

• India: 2023 statistics indicate that India holds the world’s highest tuberculosis burden that includes 2.8 million diagnosed cases.

• India alone accounted for 26% of global cases and 29% of global TB deaths (315,000 deaths).

• India is followed by Indonesia (10%), China (6.8%), the Philippines (6.8%), and Pakistan (6.3%).

• Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis cases in India make up 27% of all global MDR-TB cases thus requiring specialized treatment protocols for this health problem.

Challenges Faced by India in Eliminating TB

• Drug-resistant tuberculosis remains a severe challenge in India because the nation faces substantial cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis that need distinctive treatment procedures extending beyond standard TB periods.

• Limited tool availability: Medical detection and diagnostics suffer from limited tool availability which obstructs healthcare workers from implementing newer diagnostic standards.

• Poor Infrastructure: Rural and remote areas have insufficient healthcare facilities which delays both diagnosis and treatment services.

• Lack of Awareness: Substance stigma forces patients to wait in seeking healthcare while inadequate public awareness permits the disease to persist.

• Private Sector Involvement: Successful TB control requires public healthcare providers to work hand in hand with private sector entities for coordination.

• Treatment adherence: TB treatment extends over multiple months with antibiotics which presents difficulties to patients in following their prescribed medication plan.

• Vulnerable Populations: The risk for tuberculosis infection is much higher among vulnerable population groups including people who work as migrants and those who live in urban slums.

Steps Taken by the Government of India to Eliminate TB

• 100-Day Intensified Campaign: Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda to Launch 100-Day Intensified Campaign to Address TB Incidence and Mortality in India on 7th December, 2024 in Panchkula, Haryana

  • This nationwide program targeting thirty-three States and Union Territories was developed to detect more TB cases more quickly and deliver better treatment results. 

  • The Indian government intends to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 before achieving the global goal of eliminating it by 2030.

• Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) launched its operations in 1997 as an ongoing intervention system to control tuberculosis nationwide.

• National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) : Indian health services implement the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) as a strategy to achieve TB elimination in India during the period of 2017-25 through the National Strategic Plan.

• Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMBA): The 2022-launched Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMBA) delivers extra healthcare services including nutrition support and examinations and trade education for TB patients.

• Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST): It enables healthcare providers to identify resistant strains of TB which allows for specific therapeutic solutions to be prescribed.

• Ni-kshay Portal: The Ni-kshay Portal functions as an online system which monitors every notified TB case.

• New Drugs: The government now includes Bedaquiline and Delamanid drugs within its free treatment regimen for patients diagnosed with drug-resistant TB.

• Research: The research sector explores alternative anti-tubercular drug therapies that can run between three or four months instead of the traditional six-month course.

• Vaccine Development: Scientists conduct trials to evaluate the new tuberculosis vaccines Immuvac and VPM1002 because they show more effective protection.

Suggestions

• National organizations should create guidelines for TB prevention and care programs and foster their deployment throughout India.

• The organization should develop along with promoting research-backed strategies to prevent and control TB infections.

• The TB epidemic should be monitored through reports that cover funding along with implementation status at global, regional and national levels.

Conclusion:

The "Dare2eraD TB" initiative takes a crucial step against TB in India through AI-powered genomic sequencing for combating drug-resistant strains. The sustained progress in India will enable reaching the nation's goal of eliminating TB by 2025 while establishing possible guidelines for global tuberculosis control programs. The achievement of long-term success requires tackling both asymptomatic carriers and multi-drug resistance.