Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (patient information)
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Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis |
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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?
Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine.[1] Common symptoms include:
- Feelings of sickness or weakness
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Night sweats
The symptoms of TB disease of the lungs may also include:
Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected.
What causes Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis?
Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is resistant to anti-TB drugs. This resistance 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
Transmission
Tuberculosis bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings.[1]
These bacteria can float in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. Persons who breathe in the air containing these Tuberculosis bacteria can become infected.[1]
Diagnosis
There are two tests that can be used to help detect TB infection:[1]
- TB skin test
- The skin test is used most often
- A small needle is used to put some testing material, called tuberculin, under the skin
- In 2-3 days, the patient should return to the health care worker who will check if there is a reaction to the test
- TB blood test
- In some cases, a TB blood test is used to test for TB infection.
- This blood test measures how a person’s immune system reacts to the germs that cause TB
To tell if someone has TB disease, other tests may be needed:[1]
- Chest x-ray
- Sample of sputum (phlegm that is coughed up from deep in the lungs)
It is important to tell your health care worker if you have ever had a “positive” reaction to a TB skin test or TB blood test, or if you have been treated with TB drugs in the past.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Urgent medical care should be sought:
- If you think you have been exposed to someone with TB disease, you should contact your doctor or local health department about getting a TB skin test or TB blood test. You should also inform your doctor or nurse when did this contact occur.[1]
- When you experience some of the previously described symptoms.[1]
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis?
Prevention of Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis
To prevent multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, the following rules should be observed:[1]
- Take all medications exactly as prescribed by the health care provider
- No doses should be missed and treatment should not be stopped early
- Patients should tell their health care provider if they are having trouble taking the medications
- If patients plan to travel, they should talk to their health care providers and make sure they have enough medicine to last while away
- Avoid exposure to known MDR TB patients in closed or crowded places such as hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters:
- In the case of health care workers who are more likely to have contact with TB patients, infection control or occupational health experts should be consulted
- Administrative and environmental procedures for preventing exposure to TB should be implemented. Once those procedures are implemented, additional measures could include using personal respiratory protective devices
Health care providers can help prevent MDR-TB by:[1]
- Quickly diagnosing cases
- Following recommended treatment guidelines
- Monitoring patients’ response to treatment
- Making sure therapy is completed
Vaccination
There is a vaccine for TB disease called Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). It is used in some countries to prevent severe forms of TB in children. However, BCG is not generally recommended in the United States because it has limited effectiveness for preventing TB overall.[1]