Under NTEP's PMDT guidelines (2022 update), the standard regimen for treatment of rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) in adults WITHOUT fluoroquinolone resistance is:
- A Shorter BPaLM — Bedaquiline + Pretomanid + Linezolid + Moxifloxacin (6 months) ✓
- B BPaL — Bedaquiline + Pretomanid + Linezolid (6 months)
- C Longer regimen: 6 months (BDQ + LFX + LZD + CFZ + Z) / 12 months (LFX + CFZ + Z + E)
- D XDR-TB regimen: BDQ + LZD + CFZ + DLM (24 months)
Correct answer: A. Shorter BPaLM — Bedaquiline + Pretomanid + Linezolid + Moxifloxacin (6 months)
Explanation
The WHO 2022 guidelines recommend the BPaLM regimen (Bedaquiline + Pretomanid + Linezolid + Moxifloxacin) for 6 months as the preferred all-oral shorter regimen for RR-TB/MDR-TB patients whose isolates are susceptible to fluoroquinolones. The BPaL regimen (without moxifloxacin) is reserved for fluoroquinolone-resistant (XDR) TB. India's NTEP has adopted BPaLM as first-line for eligible RR-TB patients. The older 9-month and 18-month regimens are being phased out.
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.