Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), the treatment regimen for a new smear-positive pulmonary TB patient who has previously been treated with first-line drugs for more than one month (retreatment case) is:
- A 2HRZE / 4HR
- B 2HRZES / 1HRZE / 5HRE
- C Drug sensitivity testing (DST) guided treatment based on LPA/Xpert results before initiating Category II ✓
- D Kanamycin-based MDR regimen empirically
Correct answer: C. Drug sensitivity testing (DST) guided treatment based on LPA/Xpert results before initiating Category II
Explanation
Under current NTEP guidelines (updated per WHO End TB strategy), all retreatment cases must have DST performed using Xpert MTB/RIF or Line Probe Assay (LPA) before deciding the regimen, because Category II (2HRZES/1HRZE/5HRE) is no longer the default — retreatment without DST risks amplifying resistance. Category II regimen is now largely abandoned in favor of DST-guided therapy.
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.