Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis

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Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis

Introduction

The paper will present the in depth discussion on the Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The Multidrug resistant tuberculosis can be also described as TB which is resistant to both rifampicin [RMP] and isoniazid [INH], which is known as two of the first line drugs used in treating smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Broadly, drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is identified by the World Health Organization as MDR-TB. This disease has a high fatality rate and is now reported in almost sixty five countries around the world. Therefore, there is too much importance given to the disease in the discussion forum after the most dangerous diseases such as cancer and HIV AIDS.

Discussion

The Drug resistant TB is the final outcome of various failures of different types; each of them can be solved with the help of existing treatments. The International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) provides technical support in MDR-TB field for around fifteen countries every year. The IUATLD has also created a package, involving the technical support, research and training to help the countries in developing and implementing the project of MDR-TB. For addressing all of the problems and preventing the extension of the disease, it needs a multi pronged; comprehensive strategy just like (IUATLD) established.

The cases of MDB tuberculosis are seen now in all of the countries surveyed. Since MDR tuberculosis is an airborne pathogen, people who has active pulmonary tuberculosis due to the multidrug resistant strain may spread the disease to other people while coughing. The strains of TB are usually not fit and much infectious. The outbreak occurs generally in persons who have the weak immune systems. The people with HIV Aids generally have the higher chances of catching the disease. The outbreak in the non-Immuno compromised people who are and do not have a weak immune system healthy may also occur, but it is not very common among these kinds of people (Schön et al., 2003).

A survey in the year 1997 of thirty five countries found the rates of more than 2 percent in around a third of countries which were surveyed. The highest rates were found out in the Baltic States, the USSR, China and Argentina and were linked to the failing or poor national programmes of tuberculosis control. In Moldova, the collapsing of the health system led to the increase in the MDR-TB. In a research done in California, it was found out that only 6 percent of MDR-TB cases were clustered. Similarly, the emergence of the higher MDR-TB rates and its link to the increase in HIV in the city of New York was observed in early 1990s (Farmer, 2001).

The Global Extent of the Problem

The problem of MDR-TB is already investigated by the WHO in the cross sectional survey of drug resistance in any of the clinical series or the whole country cohorts. The cross sectional surveys generally misjudge the burden of the MDR-TB cases since they do not take much notice of the numerical ...