XDR & MDR TB

Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is defined as tuberculosis that is resistant at least to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP), the first line drugs.

- MDR-TB develops during treatment of fully sensitive TB when course of antibiotics are interrupted and the levels of drugs in the body is insufficient to kill 100% of bacteria.

-Usually, MDR is treated with long treatment of second line drugs, also surgery is sometime required. The mortality rate of MDR is upto 80%.

Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is tuberculosis that is resistant to most effective anti-TB drugs. Some contend that XDR-TB strains are developed due to mismanagement of MDR-TB and once created can spread from one person to another. Treatment requires chemotherapy for around two years.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococus Aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for several difficult to treat infection in human beings. It is also called Multidrug-resistant Staphylococus Aureus.

- MRSA are bacterium that has developed resistance to antibiotics like penicillin and cephalosporins.

- ca-MRSA (Community based Methicilin-resistant Staphylococus Aureus) is feared to be carried by 100 to 200 million people in India. It is primarily transferred through skin to skin contacts, but can also spread through envoirnmental surfaces like clothing and towel.