Chapter 41, Problem 2O

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The mechanism of action, indication, cautions, contraindication, adverse effects, drug interaction, dosage, and route of administration of various antitubercular drugs.

Concept introduction:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis (TB) in humans and in animals, it is caused by Mycobacterium bovis; it shows the presence of granulomas in the lungs. Tuberculosis is an airborne microbe that affects the inflammatory cells like lymphocytes and macrophages that show clear boundaries with caseated consistency. Two classes of anti-tubercular drugs are available; they are first-line drugs or primary drugs and second-line drugs or secondary drugs. Though vaccine BCG is available, it does not give full protection, but it reduces a 60% chance of TB infection.