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Review
. 2015 Apr 27;5(9):a017863.
doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a017863.

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis and Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Kwonjune J Seung  1 , Salmaan Keshavjee  1 , Michael L Rich  1
Affiliations
Review

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis and Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Kwonjune J Seung et al. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. .

Abstract

The continuing spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most urgent and difficult challenges facing global TB control. Patients who are infected with strains resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin, called multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB, are practically incurable by standard first-line treatment. In 2012, there were approximately 450,000 new cases and 170,000 deaths because of MDR-TB. Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB refers to MDR-TB strains that are resistant to fluoroquinolones and second-line injectable drugs. The main causes of the spread of resistant TB are weak medical systems, amplification of resistance patterns through incorrect treatment, and transmission in communities and facilities. Although patients harboring MDR and XDR strains present a formidable challenge for treatment, cure is often possible with early identification of resistance and use of a properly designed regimen. Community-based programs can improve treatment outcomes by allowing patients to be treated in their homes and addressing socioeconomic barriers to adherence.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Percentage of new TB cases with MDR-TB (WHO 2013a).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Amplifier effect of short-course chemotherapy. H, isoniazid; R, rifampicin; E, ethambutol; Z, pyrazinamide; S, streptomycin.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Designing an MDR-TB regimen. (Created from data in Varaine and Rich 2013.)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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