multidrug resistant tuberculosis


multidrug resistant tuberculosis

Abbreviation: MDR-TB
Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli that are resistant to therapy with at least two standard antitubercular drugs (esp. isoniazid and rifampin, the two drugs that have formed the cornerstone of therapy for tuberculosis). MDR-TB must be treated with at least three antitubercular drugs to which the organism is presumed or proven to be sensitive. About 3% of cases of TB are drug-resistant. See also: tuberculosis