Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (patient information)
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Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis |
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Where to find medical care for Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis? |
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Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, the two most potent TB drugs.[1] Anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug resistance is a major public health problem that threatens progress made in TB care and control worldwide. Drug resistance arises due to improper use of antibiotics in chemotherapy of drug-susceptible TB patients. This improper use is a result of a number of actions including, administration of improper treatment regimens and failure to ensure that patients complete the whole course of treatment. Essentially, drug resistance arises in areas with weak TB control programmes.[2]
What are the symptoms of Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis?
What causes Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis?
The causes of multi-drug resistance to anti-TB drugs can occur when drugs are misused or mismanaged:[1]
- When patients do not complete their full course of treatment
- When health-care providers prescribe the wrong treatment, the wrong dose, or length of time for taking the drugs
- When the supply of drugs is not always available
- When the drugs are of poor quality
Who is at highest risk?
Drug resistance is more common in people who:[2]
- Do not take their TB medicine regularly
- Do not take all of their TB medicine as told by their doctor or nurse
- Develop TB disease again, after having taken TB medicine in the past
- Come from areas of the world where drug-resistant TB is common
- Have spent time with someone known to have drug-resistant TB disease