Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that remains a major cause of illness and death globally. It had gone to the extent of being declared as a global emergency in 1993. Researches have proven that that it is a disease of poverty with 95% of the cases and 98% of deaths occurring in underdeveloped or developing countries.1
The incidence of TB is on rise in developing countries due to poverty and inequity along with the increased prevalence of HIV and AIDS pandemic, which significantly increases the risk of infection and disease. Researchers have found that almost 30% of AIDS-related deaths are due to TB.2

Key words: Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium, DOTS