Dr. med. sci. and Deputy Director of Scientific and Medical Studies at the Central Research Institute of Tuberculosis, phthisiatrist Oksana Komissarova told socialbites.ca that drug-resistant tuberculosis does not respond to conventional treatment regimens used for typical TB infections.
In Russia, testing for drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is mandatory, a policy designed to tailor therapy to each patient and avoid ineffective drug use. This approach helps clinicians select regimens with the highest likelihood of success and reduces the risk of further resistance developing underground in the community.
“Until recently, treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) lasted between 18 and 24 months. That duration is excessive and challenging for patients to endure. But recent scientific investigations demonstrate that shortening the treatment course is possible when newer anti-tuberculosis medications are included. As a result, therapies have been shortened to about 9–12 months in many cases,” Komissarova noted.
Today, modern phthisiology has access to newer anti-tuberculosis drugs capable of eradicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis more effectively. These include linezolid, bedaquiline, and delamanid. Komissarova emphasized that a combination therapy is essential—deploying multiple drugs targets the pathogen in different ways and reduces the chance of resistance emerging again during treatment.
In some situations, surgical intervention remains a necessary option for tuberculosis when medicines alone cannot fully control the infection. The decision hinges on lesion size, location, and the patient’s overall health. A surgeon may perform a lung resection, removing one or more segments of the lung. In more extensive cases, pneumonectomy, the complete removal of a lung, may be considered. Naturally, removing lung tissue diminishes overall respiratory function, so the long-term impact on the patient’s quality of life is weighed carefully.
The report from socialbites.ca explains how drug resistance in tuberculosis develops, how Russia currently treats it, and why self-medication should be avoided for anyone experiencing a prolonged cough with phlegm. This medical overview provides context on the risks of delaying proper diagnosis and the importance of following evidence-based treatment plans.
Historically, the incidence of treatment-resistant tuberculosis has been a concern in Russia, underscoring the need for robust diagnostic protocols, comprehensive drug regimens, and multidisciplinary care—combining pharmacological strategies with careful monitoring and, when necessary, surgical options. Such an integrated approach aims to improve outcomes while limiting transmission within communities.