In NTEP, a patient with drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB) who is smear-positive at the end of 2 months of intensive phase is said to have:
- A Treatment failure — regimen should be changed immediately
- B Extended intensive phase — one additional month of intensive phase is given
- C A sputum culture and DST should be done but the same regimen continues pending results ✓
- D Multi-drug resistant TB — DST should be done and Bedaquiline regimen started
Correct answer: C. A sputum culture and DST should be done but the same regimen continues pending results
Explanation
Under the current NTEP guidelines (2022 onwards), sputum smear examination at 2 months is no longer used to extend the intensive phase. If smear-positive at 2 months, sputum is sent for culture and DST (drug susceptibility testing), and the same regimen continues while awaiting results. The previous practice of extending intensive phase by one additional month has been discontinued in newer guidelines. Treatment failure is defined at 5 months or later. This change aligns with the global DOTS-Plus and patient-centred approach.
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.