Drug-resistant tuberculosis

DR-TB (Drug-resistant tuberculosis) is a tuberculosis strain difficult to treat. It results from the incorrect intake of tuberculosis drugs, e.g. by non-continuous use of the medication, wrong dosage or by taking counterfeit drugs.

There are two forms of drug resistance of tuberculosis: MDR TB (multidrug-resistant tuberculosis) is present if the tuberculosis strain is resistant to at least two first-line tuberculostatic agents. This should include isoniazid (INH) or rifampicin (RIF). Resistance to second-line drugs and fluoroquinolones is additionally present in extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB).

Symptoms include non-drug resistant tuberculosis such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, cough and hemoptysis.