Drug-Resistant TB—Problem and Management: a Review

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest diseases known to affect humans. TB is a major cause of death worldwide. The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of TB. It usually affects the lungs and causes pulmonary TB. The intestine, meninges, bones, joints, lymph glands, skin and other tissues of the body are also affected. TB caused by drug-susceptible strains is curable in virtually all the cases after proper treatment. The untreated TB may be fatal within 5 years in 50%–65% of the cases. Drug-resistant TB is a worldwide threat. Treatment of drug-resistant TB is more complex, less effective, more toxic, and much more expensive than treatment of patients infected with drug-susceptible TB strains. Treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB can take at least two years and the results are poor. Patient with MDR-TB may need hospitalization and isolation which adds to the cost of treatment, to prevent transmission of primary resistant strains to other; careful precautions are necessary to prevent transmission.

Keywords: drug-resistant tuberculosis, management, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tuberculosis (TB)

Cite this Article
Umair Shaikh, Ejaz Shaikh, Ansari Farha, Rehan Safee. Drug-Resistant TB—Problem and Management: a Review. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2019; 6(3): 30–34p.