Extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB): A potential threat.
Emergence of extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has been reported by more than 55 countries. XDR-TB is considered as untreatable and highly fatal disease. In developing countries like India, number of cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and XDR-TB are increasing. Emergence of resistance to Isoniazid and Rifampicin, the two most effective and well tolerated agents, coupled with resistance to second line agents pose limited treatment options for XDR-TB. The present minireview provides information about the seriousness of XDR-TB and the drugs available for its treatment. Although considered a fatal disorder, judicious use of combination of drugs, retaining their antimycobacterial activity, can improve the clinical outcome of XDR-TB. Only such an approach can provide some hope for the patients of XDR-TB.
Department of Pharmacology, P.I.M.S RMC Loni, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.
Anaga
A
Marwar
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, P.I.M.S RMC Loni, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.
Ivvala Anand
IA
Shaker
Ottawa Fertility Centre, Ottawa, Canada.
Hemraz
H
Palawan
Department of Pharmacology, P.I.M.S RMC Loni, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.
Nanadal
Microbiology Unit, AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia.
M S
MS
Ranjith
Microbiology Unit, AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia.
GokulShankar
MDR-TB; XDR-TB; resistance