What is the recommended first-line treatment for drug-susceptible TB?

The recommended first-line treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis is a combination of isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. This combination therapy is critical in effectively targeting and eliminating the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria while minimizing the risk of developing drug resistance.

Using multiple drugs simultaneously helps to ensure that if any of the bacteria have inherent resistance to one of the medications, additional drugs can still act to clear the infection. This strategy is essential in managing TB treatment, as monotherapy could lead to treatment failure and the emergence of drug-resistant strains.

Each component of this combination plays a specific role in attacking the bacteria in different ways, which enhances the overall effectiveness of the treatment. Ethambutol, for example, helps inhibit cell wall synthesis, while pyrazinamide targets the bacteria in acidic environments within the body.

In contrast, monotherapy with rifampin alone would not achieve the desired efficacy and could result in treatment failure. Single pill regimens might not be standard for drug-susceptible TB, as the individual components are often combined rather than provided in a single pill. Vaccination with BCG is used as a preventive measure against tuberculosis but is not a treatment for