Abstract

INFLUENCE OF HONEY ON SPUTUM CONVERSION AMONG NEW SMEAR POSITIVE TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS RECEIVING DOTS IN SOUTH DELHI, INDIA

Khayyam Khalid Umer*, Siddiqui Ali Nasir, Sharma Manju, Kumar Vinay, Sazina Muzammil

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study is to assess the influence of honey on sputum conversion of newly diagnosed sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients of category I receiving Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) at the end of two months treatment. Methods: In this study, a total of 185 new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients registered at the DOT cum microscopy centers, New Delhi were divided into two groups. Group I (i.e. control) comprise of 83 patients, received standard ATT (anti- tubercular therapy) and group II (i.e. cases) comprise of 102 patients, received honey along with standard ATT. Treatment outcome was tested by examination of sputum status at the end of two months treatment. Results: Sputum conversion rate among patients of group II was (88%) as compare to the group I (96%) who received honey along with ATT. Honey along with ATT improves sputum conversion rate at the end of two months treatment (i.e. intensive phase) in AFB positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients of category I. Conclusion: Honey can be used as an adjuvant along with ATT in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis patients receiving DOTS. The antimycobacterial effect of honey need to be further investigated.

Keywords: Honey, Tuberculosis, DOTS, Sputum smear examination, Sputum smear conversion.