Carbon monoxide linked to TB infection

A new study has linked a toxic gas present in air pollution and tobacco smoke to tuberculosis infection.

Researchers at the University of Alabama focused on carbon monoxide and found that the gas triggers mycobacterium TB, the bacterial agent of TB, to shift from active infection to a drug-resistant state.

The shifting is called latency and can result in TB escaping detection and treatment. According to the researchers, the results increase existing social and political pressures to clean up air pollution as a means of improving public health.

Adrie Steyn, lead author of the study, said that this is the first explanation of the link between smoking, air pollution, and tuberculosis, which has been believed by medical professionals for some time.

"We're talking about huge socio-economic and public health implications," said Dr Steyn.

It is estimated that one third of the world's population is infected with undetectable forms of TB.

The Journal of the American Medical Association states that a total of 13,293 cases of TB were reported in the US which was the lowest recorded rate since national recording began.