Module 0 - Introduction

Introduction

0.4

Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB)

Because XDR-TB is resistant to first- and second-line drugs, treatment options are significantly limited. It is therefore vital that control XDR-TB is managed properly.
XDR-TB has emerged worldwide as a threat to public health and TB control, raising concerns of a future epidemic of virtually untreatable TB.
Although there are currently two promising new anti-TB drugs that are beginning to be introduced on a limited scale, shorter regimens, better diagnostic tests, second-line drug susceptibility tests are urgently needed for effective detection and treatment of MDR-TB and XDR-TB.