Question
Multidrug therapy for tuberculosis
Q9 1 marks Short Answers ★ ✓
Answer
Multidrug therapy is used in tuberculosis because: (1) M. tuberculosis has a high mutation rate, and using multiple drugs with different mechanisms of action prevents the emergence of drug-resistant mutants (since simultaneous spontaneous resistance to multiple drugs is statistically very unlikely), (2) different drugs act on different bacterial populations — actively dividing extracellular organisms, slow-growing intracellular organisms, and dormant/persister organisms within caseous lesions — requiring a combination to eradicate all subpopulations, and (3) it allows shorter, more effective treatment courses while reducing the risk of relapse and treatment failure.
1 Antitubercular Drugs
Other Years Asked
1 A 45-year-old male factory worker weighing 60 kg reports to the hospital with cough and expectoration,
mild chest pain, weakness and fatigue for the last one month. In addition, he has developed low grade
fever for the last one week. He gives history of having suffered from tuberculosis of the lung one year back
for which he took treatment from the hospital and became all right in 2 months. He stopped taking the
medicines after another 1 month, though he was told by the doctor to continue treatment. The sputum was
found to be positive for AFB and X-ray chest showed a 5 cm cavitary lesion in the right middle lobe and
fibrotic changes in the upper lobe. He was diagnosed to be a previously treated and defaulted patient of
pulmonary tuberculosis. 2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Essay · 10 marks 2 ( 2022 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Essay · 8 marks 3 A 45-year-old nurse complaining of evening rise of temperature since a month with
loss of appetite and weight is presenting with sputum positive for AFB and
diagnosis for primary pulmonary tuberculosis.
( 2023 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 4 Mr. Madhavan aged 40 yrs developed pulmonary tuberculosis and he was given
treatment with first line anti-tubercular agents. After one month of regular
treatment, he reported back with complaints of visual disturbances and difficulty in
following traffic signals.
Which drug is responsible for his complaints
What is the mechanism of its action in tuberculosis
What is MDR-TB
How will you manage MDR-TB (1+2+1+2) 2022 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 5 Describe the mechanism of action, adverse effects and uses of Rifampicin. 2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme) Short Essay · 6 marks 6 What is the pharmacological basis for the use of pyridoxine along with isoniazid. 2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 4 marks 7 Treatment of Pulmonary tuberculosis 2024 June (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 4 marks 8 Rifampicin 2016 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 9 Isoniazid (INH) 2024 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 10 Rifampicin. 2014 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 11 Therapeutic uses and adverse effects of rifampicin. 2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 12 Rifampicin. 2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 13 Pyridoxine should be given with Isoniazid. 2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 14 Treatment of multi drug resistant tuberculosis 2016 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 15 INH and pyridoxine 2021 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 16 Isoniazid hydrazide 2019 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 17 Chemoprophylaxis in tuberculosis 2016 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 18 Rifampicin 2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 19 Brucellosis. 2015 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 20 Rifampicin 2022 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 21 Treatment of MDR-TB 2017 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 22 Mechanism of action of INH 2017 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 23 First line anti tubercular drugs 2014 March (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 24 Streptomycin 2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 25 Pyridoxine with isoniazid 2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 26 Mention four adverse effects of rifampicin 2013 April (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 27 Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) with Isoniazid (INH) in Antitubercular therapy. 2023 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 
