Multiresistant tuberculosis

According to the definition of the WHO, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is present when the mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogens do not respond to the two most effective anti-tuberculosis drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin(Dheda K et al. (2019).

Extremely resistant tuberculosis, XDR-TB (extensively drug-resistant TB), is a special form of multi-resistant tuberculosis. XDR-TB is even more difficult to treat than MDR-TB, because in addition to a non-response to isoniazid and rifampicin, there is also additional resistance - to fluoroquinolones(levofloxacin or moxifloxacin) and at least one parenteral antibiotic with amikacin or capreomycin or kanamycin (all second-line antibiotics) (Bahuguna A et al. 2020; Ignatius EH et al. 2019).

According to WHO, cases of XDR-TB have been reported from 117 countries so far. According to the TB Alliance, the cure rates for non-resistant TB are 83%, for MDR-TB 54% and for XDR 30%.

1. Bahuguna A et al (2020) An overview of new antitubercular drugs, drug candidates, and their targets. Med Res Rev 40:263-292.
2. Dheda K et al (2019) The Lancet Respiratory Medicine Commission: 2019 update: epidemiology, pathogenesis, transmission, diagnosis, and management of multidrug-resistant and incurable tuberculosis. Lancet Respir Med 7:820-826.
3. Ignatius EH et al (2019) New Drugs for the Treatment of Tuberculosis. Clin Chest Med 40: 811-827. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2019.08.001.