Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), which of the following correctly describes the current treatment regimen for a previously treated drug-susceptible TB patient who has NOT been tested for drug susceptibility at the time of initiation?

• A Category II regimen: 2 months HRZES + 1 month HRZE + 5 months HRE
• B Standard 6-month Category I regimen: 2HRZE/4HR for all previously treated patients pending DST
• C Empirical MDR-TB regimen (BPaL or BDQ-based) until DST results ✓
• D Cycloserine-based retreatment regimen pending culture

Explanation

Under revised NTEP guidelines (2022 onwards), the Category II regimen (with streptomycin) has been DISCONTINUED. Previously treated TB patients are no longer automatically retreated with Cat II; instead, DST is mandatory before retreatment, and empirical drug-resistant TB regimens (bedaquiline-based or BPaL) are initiated when DST results are pending or when prior treatment failure is evident. This major policy shift aims to prevent the generation of additional resistance patterns from retreatment with an inadequate regimen.

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.