Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

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Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of tuberculosis (TB) infection caused by bacteria that are resistant to treatment with at least two of the most powerful first-line anti-TB medications (drugs), isoniazid and rifampin. Some forms of TB are also resistant to second-line medications, and are called extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB).

Pronunciation

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is pronounced as mul-ti-drug re-sis-tant too-ber-cu-lo-sis.

Etymology

The term "multidrug-resistant tuberculosis" is derived from the resistance of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria to multiple TB drugs. "Multi" is a prefix from Latin meaning "many", "drug" is derived from Old French "drogue", "resistant" comes from Latin "resistentem", and "tuberculosis" is from New Latin "tuberculum" meaning a small swelling plus the suffix "-osis" indicating a disease condition.

Related Terms

  • Tuberculosis: A potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.
  • Isoniazid: An antibiotic used as a first-line agent in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.
  • Rifampin: An antibiotic drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis.
  • Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB): A form of tuberculosis caused by bacteria that are resistant to some of the most effective anti-TB drugs.

Symptoms

People with MDR-TB usually have symptoms similar to those of regular TB, such as:

  • Cough that lasts three or more weeks
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Chills
  • Loss of appetite

Treatment

MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using second-line drugs. However, second-line treatment options are limited and require extensive chemotherapy (up to two years of treatment) with medicines that are expensive and toxic.

Prevention

Preventing the spread of MDR-TB involves prompt detection of the disease, appropriate treatment, isolation of patients during the contagious phase, and public health interventions such as improved living conditions and nutrition.

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