The NTEP replaced the term 'DOTS' with 'Directly Observed Treatment' under the universal drug susceptibility testing (UDST) strategy. Under NTEP 2022 guidelines, a previously treated pulmonary TB patient confirmed drug-sensitive should receive which treatment regimen?

• A 2HRZE/4HR (Category I: 6-month)
• B 2HRZES/1HRZE/5HRE (Category II: 8-month)
• C 9-month regimen: 6HRZE/3HR
• D 6-month regimen: 2HRZE/4HR with individualised dosing by weight bands ✓

Explanation

Under NTEP 2022, the Category II (re-treatment) regimen with streptomycin has been discontinued. All drug-sensitive TB patients — whether new or previously treated — now receive the same 6-month regimen (2HRZE/4HR) with weight-band based fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablets and Universal DST at the outset. Category II was associated with amplification of resistance and has been phased out following WHO 2017 guidance adopted by India.

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.