Final answer:
This statement is true. Drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis have surged in many regions of the world, fueled by the overuse of antibiotics, the natural selection of resistant bacteria, and non-adherence to long treatment regimens, especially in underprivileged areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis have reached epidemic proportions in many regions of the world is true. Tuberculosis (TB) has never been fully eradicated, but rather, controlled in certain parts of the world. However, in recent times, the disease has made a resurgence, especially in urban centers with high concentrations of immunocompromised people.
One major contributing factor to this resurgence is the increase in antibiotic and drug-resistant strains of the disease. This resistance has arisen primarily due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics and the natural selection of resistant forms of bacteria. When treated improperly or inconsistently, the bacteria causing TB can adapt and become resistant to drugs traditionally effective at killing them.
Furthermore, adherence to the lengthy treatment regimens prescribed for TB can be difficult, especially in underprivileged areas where antimicrobial drugs are more inaccessible. This lack of adherence further exacerbates the problem of resistance. As a result, we see an increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB) strains of TB globally.
Learn more about Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis