Medications

Treating tuberculosis when antibiotics no longer work

Researchers have identified new antibiotic molecules that target Mycobacterium tuberculosis and make it less pathogenic for humans. In addition, some of the discovered substances may allow for a renewed treatment of tuberculosis ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Mozambique faces alarming multidrug-resistant tuberculosis epidemic

With one of the highest tuberculosis (TB) incidences (368 cases/100,000 population) in the African region, Mozambique is particularly affected by the TB epidemic. Drug-resistant TB is also a major problem, with 4,800 new ...

Genetics

New antibiotic resistance genes identified in tuberculosis

A massive analysis of more than 10,000 different Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria isolates from 23 countries has revealed new genes associated with resistance to 13 first- and second-line new and repurposed antibiotics. ...

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Tuberculosis treatment

Active tuberculosis will kill about two of every three people affected if left untreated. Treated tuberculosis has a mortality rate of less than 5%.

The standard "short" course treatment for tuberculosis (TB), is isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for two months, then isoniazid and rifampicin alone for a further four months. The patient is considered cured at six months (although there is still a relapse rate of 2 to 3%). For latent tuberculosis, the standard treatment is six to nine months of isoniazid alone.

If the organism is known to be fully sensitive, then treatment is with isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide for two months, followed by isoniazid and rifampicin for four months. Ethambutol need not be used.

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