Bangalore: A new form of TB, known as Totally Drug- Resistant TB (TDR-TB) is spreading panic among Indians. In the last three months, PD Hinduja Hospital at Mahim has detected 12 people with this form of deadly TB.

TDR-TB is the result of recent mutation of the bacilli (a class of bacteria). Prior to this Multi-Drug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB) and Extremely Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB) were identified. As the term Totally Drug-Resistant TB signifies, the patient shows resistance to the drugs.

"The TB bacilli have obviously mutated. The emergence of TDR-TB has grave implications for public health," said Hinduja Hospital's Dr Zarir Udwadia.

Cases of TDR-TB were first reported in Iran three years ago and India is the second country to have reported this.

Out of the 12 cases reported, 10 are from Bombay and the other two patients are from UP and Ratnagiri. One among the 12 patients, a 31-year-old woman from Dharavi died in November 2011.

“The majority of prescriptions were inappropriate and would only have served to further amplify resistance, converting MDR tuberculosis to XDR and TDR tuberculosis,” Dr Zarir F Udwadia, consultant physician, P D Hinduja Hospital said.

Many of the TB patients do not bother to complete their treatment phase, once they feel better. This results in the multiplication of TB cells in the body. People should be much more careful regarding the completion of treatment phase. Precautions should be taken by the hospital authorities, to prevent the transmission of the disease, by using special filters, special respirators and masks.