Challenges in Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Management: Recommendations of the Expert Panel

T uberculosis (TB), known with several other names such as Tapedik, Kshay Rog, phthisis, consumption, white death, great white plague, graveyard cough, King's Evil, etc., is documented since 3000 years BC and some workers rightly consider it a disease of antiquity. However, the pathogen causing this disease (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) was discovered and named 133 years back on this day by Dr. Robert Koch. Even in modern times, during the World War I and II, TB was a major handicap for US and European armies, killing 1000's of them. However, with the improvement in the socioeconomic standards coupled with social etiquettes (no spitting in public places) the incidence of TB reduced dramatically in western world and TB became a disease of poor countries with poor hygienic conditions.