Antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis (TB)
Like most bacteria, mycobacterium tuberculosis can develop a resistance to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance means that the medicines can no longer kill the bacteria they are meant to fight.
Tuberculosis (TB) that develops a resistance to one type of antibiotic is not usually a concern because alternative antibiotics are available. In 2009, about 8 out of 100 cases of TB were resistant to at least one type of antibiotic normally used to treat the condition.
However, in an increasing number of cases:
- TB develops a resistance to two antibiotics - this is known as multi-drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
- TB develops a resistance to three or more antibiotics - this is known as extensive multi-drug resistance tuberculosis (XDR-TB)
In 2009, just over 1 out of every 100 cases of TB was resistant to at least two antibiotics.
Both MDR-TB and XDR-TB will usually require treatment for around 18 months using a combination of different antibiotics. As these conditions are difficult to treat, you may be referred to a specialist TB clinic for treatment and monitoring.
