Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB): Epidemiology, Mechanisms of Drug Resistance

Opening of the article

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin with or without resistance to other drugs. World-wide, about 3% of all newly diagnosed patients and a considerably higher proportion of patients who have previously received antituberculosis treatment have MDR-TB. While host genetic factors may probably contribute, irregular, incomplete and inadequate treatment is the single most important factor resulting in the development of MDR-TB. Management of MDR-TB is a challenge as it requires prolonged use of expensive second-line drugs that are not widely available with a significant potential for toxicity.