Under NTEP, Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST) means that DST should be performed for which group?

• A Only previously treated TB patients
• B Only patients who fail first-line treatment after 2 months
• C Patients from high DR-TB burden districts only
• D All bacteriologically confirmed TB patients at the time of diagnosis ✓

Explanation

UDST is a cornerstone of NTEP, mandating that all bacteriologically confirmed TB patients (whether new or previously treated) undergo drug susceptibility testing at diagnosis using Cartridge Based NAAT (CBNAAT/GeneXpert) or Line Probe Assay (LPA). This facilitates early detection of drug resistance and appropriate treatment.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.