Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is a form of which disease?

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is a specific type of tuberculosis that has developed resistance to at least two of the primary first-line anti-TB medications. This resistance makes it more challenging to treat and control the disease, which primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. Tuberculosis itself is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and while most cases can be treated effectively with the right antibiotics, MDR-TB requires more complex and prolonged treatment regimens due to its resistance profile. Understanding that MDR-TB is, by definition, a form of tuberculosis underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing antibiotic resistance in infectious diseases.