What Is Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis? Know Its Causes, Risk Factors And Prevention Tips

When TB bacteria becomes resistant to drugs, it is known as drug resistant TB. Read further to know about its causes, Risk factors and prevention methods.

Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Causes, Risk Factors And Prevention Tips

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Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria that spreads through the air we breathe. In most of the cases, TB is treatable. However, patients may die if they do not get proper treatment. When TB bacteria becomes resistant to drugs, it is known as drug resistant TB. Talking about multi-drug resistant TB, Dr. Vivek Kumar Verma, Principal Consultant - Pulmonology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun said, "The term Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) is used when the bacteria get resistant to Isoniazid and Rifampicin, the two most important drugs used during treatment."

When Does Multi-Drug Resistant TB Develop?

MDR-TB can develop when TB drugs are misused or prescribed in a wrong way or the patient does not take medicines as prescribed or stops treatment in between. 

Dr. Vivek Kumar Verma said, "Factors like wrong treatment, incorrect doses, and improper duration of consumption, contribute to the development of drug resistance. The chances of MDR - TB are more in patients who develop TB again after treatment, which is also termed as the relapse of the disease."

Who Are At Risk Of Developing It?

Dr Pankaj Jain, Consultant Pulmonogist, Apollo Clinic, Viman Nagar, Bengaluru listed who are at a risk of developing Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis that included those who:

• Do not take medicine regularly.

• Do not take all medicines as told by the doctor

• Develop TB disease again after taken TB medicine in past.

• Having spend some time with known patient MDR TB patient.

How Can MDR TB Be Prevented:

MDR-TB spreads faster and takes longer to cure than TB. Inappropriate or incorrect use of antimicrobial drugs, use of ineffective formulations of drugs (such as use of single drugs, poor quality medicines or bad storage conditions), and premature treatment interruption can cause drug resistance.

Dr. Anupama Menon, Consultant - Paediatric Pulmonologist, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Marathahalli, Bengaluru said, "TB and MDR TB are spread in the same way- both airborne diseases. Those with poor compliance to TB medications, relapse of TB disease, coming from areas of the world where drug-resistant TB is common and have spent time with someone known to have MDR-TB are more susceptible."

"Preventing any kind of TB requires effective hygiene practices and proper health care. Infected people need to ensure proper hygiene and isolation measures, and be compliant with treatment and intimate their health care provider with any challenges they are facing. Special care is to be taken in crowded or closed areas such as shelters, hospital settings where appropriate infection control strategies need to be implemented," she added.

"Other measures include curing the TB patient the first time around, provide access to diagnosis (Drug resistance can be detected using special laboratory tests which test the bacteria for sensitivity to the drugs or detect resistance patterns), ensure adequate infection control in facilities where patients are treated and ensure appropriate use of recommended second-line drugs," she said.

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]