What will it take to eliminate drug-resistant tuberculosis?

If the world is to drastically reduce the incidence of DR-TB, we must stop creating new DR-TB as an essential first step. The DR-TB epidemic that is ongoing should also be directly addressed. First-line drug resistance must be rapidly detected using universal molecular testing for resistance to at least rifampin and, preferably, other key drugs at initial TB diagnosis. DRTB treatment outcomes must also improve dramatically. Innovations within sight, such as short, highly effective, broadly indicated regimens, paired with point of- care drug susceptibility testing, could accelerate progress in treatment outcomes.

PDF attached.

Kendall IJTLD 2019.pdf (560.2 KB)