What is the XDR-TB?

Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is a form of tuberculosis caused by bacteria that are resistant to some of the most effective anti-TB drugs. XDR-TB strains have arisen after the mismanagement of individuals with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).

What are the 2 types of MDR TB?

There are two main types, MDR TB and XDR TB. MDR TB is the name given to TB when the bacteria that are causing it are resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, two of the most effective TB drugs.

Is MDR TB more or less common than XDR-TB?

It is estimated that 9.6\% of MDR-TB cases worldwide have XDR-TB (WHO 2013a). Because access to second-line drug susceptibility testing (DST) is poor in many areas of the world, XDR-TB often goes unrecognized.

What type of MDR TB is?

MDR TB is a particular type of drug resistant TB. It means that the TB bacteria that a person is infected with are resistant to two of the most important TB drugs, isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP). If bacteria are resistant to certain TB drugs this means that the drugs don’t work.

What is MDR and XDR?

Multidrug resistance (MDR): This is when both isoniazid and rifampicin fail to work against TB infection. Extensive drug resistance (XDR): Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a form of TB that is resistant to at least four of the core anti-TB drugs.

How do you know if TB is resistant?

Drug-Resistant TB

1. People do not complete a full course of TB treatment.
2. Health care providers prescribe the wrong treatment (the wrong dose or length of time)
3. Drugs for proper treatment are not available.
4. Drugs are of poor quality.

How long does it take to treat XDR-TB?

MDR- and XDR-TB need prolonged treatment duration, from 18 to 24 months after sputum culture conversion, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) [2]. A prolonged duration of treatment may lead to poor adherence, higher cost and undue toxicity.

What causes MDR TB?

MDR TB is caused by the development of TB bacteria, which have become resistant to ordinary TB drugs. This occurs due to various reasons, including: As a result of inadequate or irregular management of “ordinary” TB – either by using inappropriate drug combinations or by using single drugs for “ordinary” TB.

Is MDR TB communicable?

A contact of an MDR-TB patient if treated promptly with an effective regimen is no longer infectious after initiation of effective treatment, thus stopping transmission of this strain to others inside or outside of the home.