Why in the News?

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method for delivering tuberculosis (TB) medications directly to the brain, effectively addressing the challenges posed by the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). This innovative approach, which uses chitosan nanoaggregates administered via the nasal route, significantly enhances the treatment of Central Nervous System Tuberculosis (CNS-TB), a severe and often life-threatening form of TB.

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

• It is a contagious bacterial infection primarily caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• It most commonly affects the lungs,
  • However, it can also impact other parts of the body, including the brain, spine, and kidneys.
• Transmission: It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing droplets containing the bacteria. People nearby inhale these droplets and get infected.
• Types of TB
  • Pulmonary TB: Affects the lungs and is the most common form.
  • Extrapulmonary TB: Affects other organs, including the brain (Central Nervous System Tuberculosis or CNS-TB), kidneys, spine and lymph nodes.

About Central Nervous System Tuberculosis (CNS-TB)

• Tuberculosis (TB) that affects the brain, called Central Nervous System Tuberculosis (CNS-TB).
• It is one of the most dangerous forms of TB, often leading to severe complications or death.

Traditional Treatments of TB

• Traditional treatments typically require high doses of oral anti-TB medications.
  • However, these often do not reach effective levels in the cerebrospinal fluid because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

About New Method of Drug Delivery

• Developed Using: Chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable material.
  • Formed into tiny clusters (nanoparticles) and slightly larger clusters (nanoaggregates) for nasal delivery.
• Capable of encapsulating anti-TB drugs like isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF).
• Drug Delivery: Utilizes olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways in the nasal cavity.
  • It bypasses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to deliver drugs directly to the brain.
• It provides a more effective treatment option for Central Nervous System Tuberculosis (CNS-TB) and potentially other neurological conditions.