Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 74%
Simulated
How does drug therapy of tuberculosis differ from that of most other infections?
Correct answer
TB patients can have symptoms. Drugs treat both active disease and prevention (latent TB). TB therapy is longer (6-9 months+). Mycobacteria's resistant cell wall necessitates prolonged, combined drug therapy.
Rationale
The correct answer is G. The rationale is as follows:
1. TB patients can have symptoms: TB can present with symptoms such as cough, fever, weight loss, and night sweats.
2. Drugs treat both active disease and prevention: Antituberculosis drugs are used for both treating active TB disease and preventing latent TB from developing into active disease.
3. TB therapy is longer: TB therapy typically lasts 6-9 months or longer due to the slow-growing nature of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the need to prevent drug resistance.
4. Mycobacteria's resistant cell wall: Mycobacteria have a unique cell wall that is resistant to penetration by many antibiotics, necessitating prolonged and combined drug therapy for effective treatment.
In summary, the other choices are incorrect because patients with TB can have symptoms, antituberculosis drugs are used for both treatment and prevention, therapy duration is usually longer, and the unique cell wall of Mycobacteria requires specific drug regimens.
1. TB patients can have symptoms: TB can present with symptoms such as cough, fever, weight loss, and night sweats.
2. Drugs treat both active disease and prevention: Antituberculosis drugs are used for both treating active TB disease and preventing latent TB from developing into active disease.
3. TB therapy is longer: TB therapy typically lasts 6-9 months or longer due to the slow-growing nature of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the need to prevent drug resistance.
4. Mycobacteria's resistant cell wall: Mycobacteria have a unique cell wall that is resistant to penetration by many antibiotics, necessitating prolonged and combined drug therapy for effective treatment.
In summary, the other choices are incorrect because patients with TB can have symptoms, antituberculosis drugs are used for both treatment and prevention, therapy duration is usually longer, and the unique cell wall of Mycobacteria requires specific drug regimens.