Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), the current recommended regimen for a Category I newly diagnosed drug-sensitive pulmonary TB patient weighing 55 kg is:
- A 2HRZE / 4HR (daily, fixed-dose combination) ✓
- B 2HRZES / 1HRZE / 5HRE (thrice weekly)
- C 6HRZ (daily) with monthly sputum culture monitoring
- D 2HRZE / 4H3R3 (daily intensive, thrice weekly continuation)
Correct answer: A. 2HRZE / 4HR (daily, fixed-dose combination)
Explanation
NTEP (renamed from RNTCP in 2020) has shifted to a fully daily, fixed-dose combination (FDC) regimen for all new drug-sensitive TB cases: 2 months of HRZE (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol) followed by 4 months of HR. Thrice-weekly intermittent regimens (the old Cat I 2HRZE/4H3R3) were phased out because daily therapy is more efficacious and reduces emergence of resistance. The 2HRZES regimen is used for re-treatment cases, not new cases.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.