Under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), what is the standard duration of the intensive phase of anti-TB therapy for new sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis?

Explanation

## Standard RNTCP Treatment Regimen **Key Point:** The intensive phase of anti-TB therapy for new sputum smear-positive (NSP) pulmonary TB is **2 months** under RNTCP guidelines. ### Treatment Structure | Phase | Duration | Drugs | Frequency | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Intensive** | 2 months | HRZE (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol) | Daily | | **Continuation** | 4 months | HR (Isoniazid, Rifampicin) | Daily or 3× weekly | | **Total** | **6 months** | — | — | **High-Yield:** The 2-4-6 regimen (2 months intensive + 4 months continuation = 6 months total) is the backbone of RNTCP for drug-susceptible TB. **Clinical Pearl:** During the intensive phase, bacterial load drops rapidly and sputum conversion typically occurs by 2 months. This is why the continuation phase can use only HR without the bactericidal agents (Z and E). **Mnemonic:** **HRZE-HR** — **H**isoniazid, **R**ifampicin (backbone throughout); **Z**pyrazinamide, **E**thambutol (intensive phase only).