Final answer:
Common reasons for incomplete TB treatment include the long duration of therapy and premature cessation of treatment when symptoms subside. This can result in antibiotic resistance and the emergence of MDR-TB and XDR-TB strains. Nonadherence is particularly problematic in areas with poor healthcare infrastructure.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several common reasons for incomplete or interrupted treatment in TB cases. The long duration of treatment, which can last from 6 months to a year, contributes to nonadherence and treatment being stopped prematurely when patients feel better, leading to antibiotic resistance. The issue is more acute in underdeveloped or underserved regions where drugs may be available without regulation and healthcare systems are less robust. Benefits also often cease once perceived symptoms are relieved, even though the infection is not fully eradicated. This can lead to recurrent infections and the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which are resistant to the standard treatment of isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Inadequate treatment due to nonadherence or early discontinuation can result in the development of superbugs which are resistant to multiple or all available antibiotic treatments.