ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN TUBERCULOSIS MICROBIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS, CLINICAL IMPACT, AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Shahbaz Israr,Odilova Nilufar Arzikulovna

Authors

Shahbaz Israr,Odilova Nilufar Arzikulovna Samarkand State Medical University Student of the International Educational Faculty,Samarkand State Medical University Assistant Teacher- Microbiology, Virology and Immunology Department

Keywords:

Tuberculosis has haunted humanity for millennia, primarily attacking the lungs but capable of affecting any organ. Despite the advent of curative antibiotic regimens in the mid-20th century, TB persists as a massive burden, with the World Health Organization reporting an estimated 10.6 million new cases and 1.3 million deaths in 2022 (2). A significant and growing portion of these cases now involves drug-resistant forms, undermining decades of progress.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB), an ancient scourge caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a leading global infectious killer. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains—multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)—has escalated into a defining public health crisis. This resistance stems not from simple horizontal gene transfer but from a complex interplay of spontaneous bacterial mutations and systemic human failures in treatment delivery. This article examines the unique microbiological mechanisms that allow TB to evade our drugs, the severe clinical consequences for patients and societies, and the multifaceted global challenges that fuel this epidemic. Understanding this triad is essential for forging effective therapeutic strategies and regaining control in the fight against TB.

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