Diagnosis and treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Abstract

The goals of tuberculosis (TB) control programs are to cure patients with disease due to infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, prevent the development of new cases, and prevent the emergence of drug resistance. Nevertheless, drug-resistant TB is bound to appear in even the best-run programs. There is considerable evidence that drug resistance has emerged and is on the upsurge in many parts of the world (1). This chapter focuses on the care of patients with drug-resistant TB and examines the origins, prevention, diagnosis, and impact of drug resistance on TB control.