What is MDR TB?
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a serious form of tuberculosis (TB) caused by bacteria resistant to at least two of the most powerful first-line anti-TB drugs: rifampicin and isoniazid. This resistance makes treatment significantly more challenging and lengthy.
- Resistance to Medications: The key characteristic of MDR-TB is its resistance to the standard TB medications. This resistance develops due to improper or incomplete treatment of TB, allowing the bacteria to mutate and survive.
- Treatment Challenges: Treating MDR-TB requires longer treatment regimens (often exceeding 2 years) with second-line drugs, which are often more toxic and less effective. This makes treatment more complex and expensive.
- Global Health Concern: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates hundreds of thousands of new MDR-TB cases globally each year. The continuing spread of MDR-TB is a major challenge for global health efforts. [Source: WHO, 2024]
- Prevention: Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of all TB cases is crucial to prevent the emergence and spread of MDR-TB. [Source: NCBI PMC, 2017]
MDR-TB vs. Other Drug-Resistant TB
While MDR-TB is resistant to at least two first-line drugs, other forms of drug-resistant TB exist, including extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), which is resistant to even more medications.
In summary, MDR-TB is a dangerous and difficult-to-treat form of TB that highlights the critical need for proper TB treatment and prevention strategies worldwide.
