Drug resistant TB - latest developments in epidemiology, diagnostics and management.

Abstract

AIM:

The aim of this review is to inform the reader on the latest developments in epidemiology, diagnostics and management.

EPIDEMIOLOGY:

Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) continues to be a current global health threat, and is defined by higher morbidity and mortality, sequelae, higher cost and complexity. The WHO classifies drug-resistant TB into 5 categories: isoniazid-resistant TB, rifampicin resistant (RR)-TB and MDR-TB, (TB resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin), pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB) which is MDR-TB with resistance to a fluoroquinolone and finally XDR-TB that is TB resistant to rifampicin, plus any fluoroquinolone, plus at least one further priority A drug (bedaquiline or linezolid). Of 500,000 estimated new cases of RR-TB in 2020, only 157 903 cases are notified. Only about a third of cases are detected and treated annually.

DIAGNOSTICS:

Recently newer rapid diagnostic methods like the GeneXpert, whole genome sequencing and Myc-TB offer solutions for rapid detection of resistance.

TREATMENT:

The availability of new TB drugs and shorter treatment regimens have been recommended for the management of DR-TB.

CONCLUSION:

Despite advances in diagnostics and treatments we still have to find and treat two thirds of the drug resistant cases that go undetected and therefore go untreated each year. Control of TB and elimination will only occur if cases are detected, diagnosed and treated promptly.

• Authors: Simon Tiberi, Natasa Utjesanovic, Jessica Galvin, Rosella Centis, Lia D'Ambrosio, Martin van den Boom, Alimuddin Zumla, Giovanni Battista Migliori
• Journal: International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (Int J Infect Dis) Vol. 124 Suppl 1 Pg. S20-S25 (Nov 2022) ISSN: 1878-3511 [Electronic] Canada
• PMID: 35342000 (Publication Type: Review, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antitubercular Agents
• Isoniazid
• Rifampin

Topics

• Humans
• Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Antitubercular Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant (diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Isoniazid (therapeutic use)
• Rifampin (therapeutic use)
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (genetics)