Poonam Nath

AMCH Research finds Fungal Lung Disease epidemic among Assam’s Tea Garden Workers

Digital Desk: A recent study by Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) doctors found a significant increase in Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA), a life-threatening fungal lung infection, among tea estate workers.

The study was carried out by a four-person team from AMCH in Dibrugarh, led by AMC vice-principal Dr Rima Nath and senior doctors from the Department of Community Medicine, Gaurangi Gogoi, Aishwarya Selvashekhar, and Pranami Bora.

The team discovered that most individuals die of CPA after being diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB).

Subsequently, the researchers conducted a year-long study on 128 patients receiving care in tea garden hospitals, including testing them. 14 tuberculosis patients were identified with very Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA).

The overall population of the four tea gardens involved in the study was 20,903, with 14 cases of CPA found out of 66 clinically suspicious individuals. This results in an estimate of 60 per 100,000, which is greater than the global rate given.

The remaining 62 clinically suspicious patients were from two referral hospitals, where 27 CPA cases were found. The global prevalence of CPA is reported to be 42 per 100,000.

Consequently, as per ETV Bharat reports, the physicians advised that "proper treatment is crucial, as if proper treatment is not done on time, the patient can die."

The Advanced Diagnostic Research Laboratory of Assam Medical College was established in 2021 to do tuberculosis research.

Pesticides used in tea gardens add to the cases, but the sickness primarily affects tuberculosis patients, who have weakened lungs. Advanced diagnosis has enabled faster disease detection, reducing panic and ensuring TB protection.

According to AMCH doctors, TB is the most common cause of CPA in the lungs. The study also found that the sickness is not new, but the number of persons affected is increasing.

Doctor's Perspective on Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis, Dr. Rima Nath, team leader, explained that the disease is fungal and that it primarily attacks fragile lungs, with tuberculosis being the main culprit. Research on this has been conducted in several nations, although little work has been done in India. It wasn't until the Assam Medical College's Advanced Diagnostic Research Laboratory opened in 2021 that tuberculosis research became feasible."

Tea garden spots have a higher number of instances than other places, claims Dr. Nath.

"However, this is not simply confined to persons working in tea gardens; ordinary people in various locations have also been discovered to be impacted by lung-related disorders. It's only that the data from the tea garden area was highlighted because we investigated those areas," she explained.

She disputed concepts that pesticides used in tea gardens contribute to the instances, saying that the sickness affects persons with tuberculosis, which weakens the lungs. "Advanced diagnostics have allowed us to diagnose this disease more quickly. There's no need to panic. Anyone can remain protected and not be affected by tuberculosis," she stated.

Dr. Gourangi Gogoi told ETV Bharat that densely inhabited places are more infection-prone due to the rapid spread of tuberculosis, and tea gardens are congested. Symptoms include a prolonged cough, cold, fever, and bleeding after coughing, all of which must be reported to health professionals for prompt treatment. Demography and lifestyle can contribute to an increase in CPA instances, and early detection and treatment can help avoid any danger."