Drug-resistant Tuberculosis in Healthcare Settings

Overview of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis in Healthcare Settings

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is TB disease caused by M. tuberculosis organisms that are resistant to at least one first-line anti-TB drug. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) is resistant to at least isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) is a relatively rare type of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB). It is resistant to almost all drugs used to treat TB, including the two best first-line drugs: isoniazid and rifampin .XDR TB is also resistant to the best second-line medications: fluoroquinolones and at least one of three injectable drugs (i.e., amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin). Treating and curing drug-resistant TB is complicated. Inappropriate management can have life-threatening results.  Drug-resistant TB should be managed by or in close consultation with an expert in the disease

See also: Non-resistant Tuberculosis in healthcare settings.

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Date last modified: July 9, 2007
Date last reviewed: July 9, 2007
Content source: 
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)
National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases (NCPDCID)