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Question: Which of the following antimicrobial drugs is suitable for the treatment of tuberculosis and leprosy...

Which of the following antimicrobial drugs is suitable for the treatment of tuberculosis and leprosy?
A. Isoniazid
B. Aminosalicylic acid
C. Streptomycin
D. Rifampicin

Explanation

Solution

A microbiological infection is treated with the help of drugs and medicines. The word "antimicrobial" refers to a class of medicines that includes antibiotics, antifungals, antiprotozoals, and antivirals. Antimicrobial medicines are natural or manufactured chemical compounds that inhibit the growth or kill microorganisms such as bacteria, fungus, helminths, protozoa, and viruses.

Complete answer:
Let us check each of the options to find the correct answer.
Option:A – Isoniazid is an antibiotic that is used as a first-line therapy for both latent and active TB prevention and treatment. It does not help to treat leprosy.
So, Option:A is incorrect.
Option:B – PAS (aminosalicylic acid) is an antibiotic that is used to treat TB. This organic molecule has also been used to treat inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs), with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease showing greater efficacy. It is not used to treat leprosy.
Option:B is incorrect.
Option:C – Streptomycin is an antibiotic that was the first to be effective against TB, but because of its severe side effects, it is currently mostly used in combination with other medicines. It is not used to treat leprosy.
Option:C is incorrect.
Option:D – Antibiotic rifampicin is used to treat bacterial infections. It stops germs from spreading throughout the body. It is employed in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis (TB). It can also be used to get rid of germs in the nose and throat that can lead to meningitis, leprosy, and other diseases.
Option:D is correct.

Therefore, option D. Rifampicin is the correct answer

Note:
Leprosy and Tuberculosis are chronic infectious diseases which are caused by bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causal organism of TB whereas Mycobacterium leprae is the causal organism of leprosy, the former can be cultivated in the lab while later cannot be. Both are diseases of the respiratory system. Leprosy patients are often found to have skin lesions as well.