Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: The problem and some priorities in controlling it
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and even more severe forms of drug resistance, cause significant problems and costs for national TB control programs and constitutes an increasing public health concern globally. In parts of the former Soviet Union, the prevalence of MDR-TB is as high as 50...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2016-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Mycobacteriology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.ijmyco.org/article.asp?issn=2212-5531;year=2016;volume=5;issue=5;spage=59;epage=59;aulast=Hoffner |
| _version_ | 1811280376319967232 |
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| author | Sven Hoffner |
| author_facet | Sven Hoffner |
| author_sort | Sven Hoffner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and even more severe forms of drug resistance, cause significant problems and costs for national TB control programs and constitutes an increasing public health concern globally. In parts of the former Soviet Union, the prevalence of MDR-TB is as high as 50% and one third of all newly detected TB patients are infected with MDR strains. Such strains transmit and certain MDR-TB clones constitute an important part of the problem, especially in high MDR-TB burden areas. There are several actions that should be given priority to control this situation. A first important step is timely detection of all patients infected with resistant strains, which makes possible prompt change of standard TB chemotherapy to more effective combinations of drugs. This is important both from the public health and clinical perspectives, since it renders the individual patient noninfectious and subsequently cured. Early detection of MDR-TB also allows infection control to be focused where it is most needed. Strengthened infection control measures are crucial for limiting the ongoing spread of resistant TB in hospitals and elsewhere. In addition, a sustainable drug supply must be ensured to guarantee that all patients are initiated on effective treatment and can avoid interruptions due to drug shortages. An extra focus should be put on vulnerable cases, such as immunosuppressed individuals, prisoners, drug addicts, and migrants, in whom TB is generally more frequent and difficult to control than in the normal population. Finally, political support is needed to ensure necessary infrastructures, human and financial resources to effectively control drug resistant TB. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:13:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ac4f0f312ec9424584dedb6362559278 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2212-5531 2212-554X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:13:35Z |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Mycobacteriology |
| spelling | doaj.art-ac4f0f312ec9424584dedb63625592782022-12-22T03:09:04ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsInternational Journal of Mycobacteriology2212-55312212-554X2016-01-0155595910.1016/j.ijmyco.2016.10.031Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: The problem and some priorities in controlling itSven HoffnerMultidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and even more severe forms of drug resistance, cause significant problems and costs for national TB control programs and constitutes an increasing public health concern globally. In parts of the former Soviet Union, the prevalence of MDR-TB is as high as 50% and one third of all newly detected TB patients are infected with MDR strains. Such strains transmit and certain MDR-TB clones constitute an important part of the problem, especially in high MDR-TB burden areas. There are several actions that should be given priority to control this situation. A first important step is timely detection of all patients infected with resistant strains, which makes possible prompt change of standard TB chemotherapy to more effective combinations of drugs. This is important both from the public health and clinical perspectives, since it renders the individual patient noninfectious and subsequently cured. Early detection of MDR-TB also allows infection control to be focused where it is most needed. Strengthened infection control measures are crucial for limiting the ongoing spread of resistant TB in hospitals and elsewhere. In addition, a sustainable drug supply must be ensured to guarantee that all patients are initiated on effective treatment and can avoid interruptions due to drug shortages. An extra focus should be put on vulnerable cases, such as immunosuppressed individuals, prisoners, drug addicts, and migrants, in whom TB is generally more frequent and difficult to control than in the normal population. Finally, political support is needed to ensure necessary infrastructures, human and financial resources to effectively control drug resistant TB.http://www.ijmyco.org/article.asp?issn=2212-5531;year=2016;volume=5;issue=5;spage=59;epage=59;aulast=HoffnerDrug resistanceMolecular testsRapid diagnosisTuberculosi |
| spellingShingle | Sven Hoffner Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: The problem and some priorities in controlling it International Journal of Mycobacteriology Drug resistance Molecular tests Rapid diagnosis Tuberculosi |
| title | Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: The problem and some priorities in controlling it |
| title_full | Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: The problem and some priorities in controlling it |
| title_fullStr | Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: The problem and some priorities in controlling it |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: The problem and some priorities in controlling it |
| title_short | Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: The problem and some priorities in controlling it |
| title_sort | multidrug resistant tuberculosis the problem and some priorities in controlling it |
| topic | Drug resistance Molecular tests Rapid diagnosis Tuberculosi |
| url | http://www.ijmyco.org/article.asp?issn=2212-5531;year=2016;volume=5;issue=5;spage=59;epage=59;aulast=Hoffner |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT svenhoffner multidrugresistanttuberculosistheproblemandsomeprioritiesincontrollingit |