Is Pulmonary Mycoses Shadowed by Tuberculosis? Mandate to Hit the Bull’s Eye—An Indian Perspective

TL;DR

This paper reviews the challenges of diagnosing and managing tuberculosis and fungal infections in India, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis and understanding their coexistence.

Contribution

The paper highlights the importance of differential diagnosis and understanding co-infection mechanisms in the Indian context.

Findings

TB and fungal infections are often misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms.

Co-infection of TB and pulmonary mycoses is a significant concern in India.

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and TB elimination.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) poses serious challenges to healthcare personnel as it continues to be highly prevalent in a developing country like India. Several prominent strategies have been adopted to control this contagious infection, but the incidence rate remains high. Many studies have linked fungal infections to TB, apparently elevating concerns in the TB elimination program. Hence, it is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying TB co-infection and pulmonary mycoses to combat the problems caused by these diseases successfully. In addition, differential diagnosis of TB and fungal infections is equally essential to initiate appropriate treatment. This review attempts to describe misdiagnosis of TB and fungal disease and their relative coexistence in the context of the Indian perspective.

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