New tools and approaches to drug-resistant TB

The World Health Organization estimates that 410,000 people developed a drug-resistant tuberculosis infection (DR-TB) in 2022, only 40% of whom were diagnosed and started on treatment—and only 63% then cured. Given all these points of failure, innovation in preventing, diagnosing and treating DR-TB cannot come fast enough.

To mark World TB Day (24 March 2024) the content collection linked below highlights recent work by MSF and collaborators to help change this grim picture. The TB-PRACTECAL and endTB studies delivered robust evidence for shorter, safer, more effective drug regimens that are already saving lives worldwide. Other studies explore new approaches to preventive treatment and simpler, quicker, accurate detection of TB and drug resistance—especially among difficult-to-diagnose populations such as children and people living with HIV.

But to impact DR-TB globally these innovations must become widely accessible. This requires changes on many fronts, as described in an accompanying Collection (Expanding Access to Lifesaving New TB Tools).

Collection Content

Journal Article

Research

Nyang'wa BT, Berry C, Kazounis E, Motta I, Parpieva N, et al.

2024-02-01 • Lancet Respiratory Medicine

BACKGROUND
Around 500,000 people worldwide develop rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis each year. The proportion of successful treatment outcomes remains low and new treatments are nee...

Journal Article

Research

Guglielmetti L, Khan U, Velasquez GE, Gouillou M, Abubakirov A, et al.

2024-01-29 • medRxiv

BACKGROUND

Aft...

Journal Article

Research

Rekart ML, Mun L, Aung A, Gomez D, Mulanda WK, et al.

2023-01-09 • Microbiology Spectrum

We report the findings of a prospective laboratory diagnostic accuracy study to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay for Mycobact...

Conference Material

Slide Presentation

Lachenal N, Hewison CCH, Berry C, Mitnick CD, Ahmed SM, et al.

2022-05-11 • MSF Scientific Days International 2022

Conference Material

Abstract

Moreto-Planas L, Sagrado MJ, Mahajan R, Gallo J, Biague E, et al.

2022-05-11 • MSF Scientific Days International 2022

INTRODUCTION
Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children and over 50% of childhood TB remains undiagnosed every year. As microbiological confirmati...

Journal Article

Commentary

Furin J, Isaakidis P

2022-05-02 • Lancet Infectious Diseases

Journal Article

Research

Rucker SCM, Lissouba P, Akinyi M, Lubega AV, Stewart RC, et al.

2022-05-01 • Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases

BACKGROUND
The novel urine-based FujiLAM test identifies tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients but may be challenging to use at point-of-care (POC).

OBJECTIVES
We assess...

Journal Article

Research

Cox HS, Goig GA, Salaam-Dreyer Z, Dippenaar A, Reuter A, et al.

2022-02-16 • Journal of Clinical Microbiology

BACKGROUND
Treatment of multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB), although improved in recent years with shorter, more tolerable regimens, remains largely...

Journal Article

Commentary

Mohr-Holland E, Douglas-Jones B, Apolisi I, Ngambu N, Mathee S, et al.

2021-03-01 • Lancet Child and Adolescent Health

Journal Article

Commentary

Seung KJ, Khan UT, Varaine FFV, Ahmed SM, Bastard M, et al.

2020-10-01 • International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

In 2015, the initiative Expand New Drug Markets for TB (endTB) began, with the objective of reducing barriers to access to the new and repurposed TB drugs. Here we describe the major imp...

See more collections

MSF has long responded to health crises aggravated by the climate emergency —such as disease outbreaks, food insecurity, and displacement—and these events are intensifying in severity and frequency. This session presented examples of how MSF is adapting to address climate-related emergencies in the region, and explored strategies for future humanitarian action.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Interventions in Violence, Migration, and Indigenous Health Projects

This session explored the complexities of providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in some of the region’s most challenging settings. It focused on interventions in areas affected by violence, the mental health impact on migrants, and the unique needs of indigenous populations. The discussion highlighted innovative strategies, culturally sensitive approaches, and the importance of integrating MHPSS into healthcare projects in these complex settings.

View All Collections

Science Portal

Collection Content

Short oral regimens for pulmonary rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (TB-PRACTECAL): an open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 2B-3, multi-arm, multicentre, non-inferiority trial

Nine-month, all-oral regimens for rifampin-resistant tuberculosis

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex using the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay on the stool of pediatric patients in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in two closely monitored cohorts

Can point-of-care ultrasound support tuberculosis diagnosis in children? The experience of MSF in Guinea-Bissau

Being heard on all-oral therapy for resistant tuberculosis

Feasibility and acceptability of using the novel urine-based FujiLAM test to detect tuberculosis: A multi-country mixed-methods study

Whole genome sequencing has the potential to improve treatment for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in high burden settings: a retrospective cohort study

Tuberculosis preventive therapy for children and adolescents: an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Introducing new and repurposed TB drugs: the endTB experience

See more collections

MSF Scientific Days International 2023

Diabetes in humanitarian settings 2022

MSF Scientific Days Latin America 2024