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

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.